I-800

Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative

Agency
USCIS
Revision
Edition 01/20/25
Fillable fields
331
Pages
14
Official source
USCIS form page
Checked
October 20, 2026
Fill I-800 online
Page 1 of form I-800

Form I-800: Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative

Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, is how a U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parent asks USCIS to determine a child's eligibility for classification as a Convention adoptee. USCIS says the petition finalizes the immigration process of a child who is habitually resident in a Convention country, meaning a country party to the Hague Adoption Convention with which the Convention is in force for the United States.

Form I-800 is the second step. The USCIS page says the petitioner needs an approved, valid Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, to file it. The instructions say it is used once the Central Authority of the Convention country has proposed placing a child with the petitioner.

The instructions say Form I-800 is filed before the Form I-800A approval or extension expires and before the child's 16th birthday, with special rules for children between 15 and 16 and for birth siblings up to 18. They also say provisional approval of Form I-800 comes before the adoption or before obtaining custody of the child.

Top of page 1 of Form I-800: Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, as printed by USCIS

What's on Form I-800

Part 1: Basis of filing

Whether the petition is for one child, or for the first or an additional child among multiple children who are or are not birth siblings.

Parts 2 and 3: You and processing

Your name, numbers, birth details, physical and mailing address, contact details and spouse. Part 3 asks for the Form I-800A receipt number and dates, whether the child will seek an immigrant visa, a nonimmigrant visa for naturalization under INA section 322, or adjustment of status, and the consulate.

Part 4: The child

Items 1 to 8 cover the child's current, birth and other names, birth details, country of habitual residence, legal custodian, and where the child will reside with you.

Part 4: Reports, contact and adoption plans

Items 9 to 26 ask about the Article 16 report and background information, consents, medical inadmissibility and Form I-601, earlier contact with the child's parents or custodian, adoption abroad or in the United States, and the primary adoption service provider.

Parts 5 and 6: Payments and affidavit of support

Tables of fees, expenses, in-kind contributions and other compensation already paid and expected, then whether you submit Form I-864 or Form I-864EZ or request one of two listed exemptions.

Parts 7 to 10: Statements and signatures

The petitioner's and spouse's statements, certification, duty of disclosure and signatures, then the interpreter and preparer sections.

How to fill out Form I-800

  1. 1

    Use one edition and write clearly

    Type or print in black ink. The USCIS page says the edition date and page numbers should be visible on every printed page, all from the same edition. Write N/A where a question does not apply and None for a zero.

  2. 2

    Complete the fields USCIS checks first

    The USCIS page says the form is rejected if the Part 2 family name or physical address is missing, or if it is not signed. The instructions say not to use a P.O. Box for the physical address.

  3. 3

    Enter the Form I-800A details in Part 3

    Give the receipt number, approval date and expiration date of the approved Form I-800A, then select 2.a., 2.b. or 2.c. The form says that if none of the three applies, the petition cannot be filed.

  4. 4

    Answer the Part 4 report questions in order

    Items 9.a. and 9.b. ask whether the Article 16 report and the child's background information are attached. The form routes a No answer to Items 10 and 11, which cover a placement made more than 6 months after the child's 15th birthday.

  5. 5

    List every payment in Part 5

    The form asks for all fees, expenses, in-kind contributions and other compensation paid or expected, directly or indirectly, to any payee. Extra rows go on a separate sheet in the same format, with the child's current legal name at the top.

  6. 6

    Sign Parts 7 and 8

    The petitioner and the spouse, if married, each read the duty of disclosure and sign. The instructions say a stamped or typewritten name is not accepted. This page lets you fill the form online free, then print it for signature.

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Where to file, evidence and fees

Where to file

The USCIS page lists USCIS, Attn: Adoption I-800, P.O. Box 660087, Dallas, TX 75266-0087 for USPS, and a street address in Lewisville, Texas for FedEx, UPS and DHL. The instructions say to check www.uscis.gov/I-800 for the most current information.

Fee

The fee is on the USCIS Fee Schedule page, and the form points to Form G-1055. Fees can change, so check it on the day you file. Part 3 of the form says a fee applies to each additional Form I-800 for different children, but not when the children are siblings.

Initial evidence

The USCIS checklist lists the Form I-800A approval notice and any extension, the Article 16 report, the provider's statement on pre-placement preparation and training, a post-placement plan if applicable, proof of state pre-adoption requirements if applicable, Form I-864 or I-864EZ, and Form I-601 if applicable.

Supplement 1 and e-notification

The USCIS page says Form I-800 Supplement 1, Consent to Disclose Information, may be submitted to let USCIS share case details with an adoption service provider or home study preparer. Form G-1145 requests an email or text when a lockbox accepts the form.

Biometrics and interviews

The instructions say USCIS may ask the petitioner, the spouse or any adult household member to give biometrics or attend an interview. People overseas are told to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate or USCIS office abroad.

Inadmissibility waiver

The instructions say that if the child's medical information suggests a medical ground of inadmissibility, Form I-601 may be filed with Form I-800. If it is not filed then, it can still be filed later.

Related forms

Who files Form I-800?

  • U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents

    The instructions list a U.S. citizen who habitually resides in the United States, has an approved, valid Form I-800A, has accepted a placement the Central Authority proposed, and has not yet adopted or obtained custody of the child.

  • Married and unmarried petitioners

    A married petitioner's spouse completes and signs Part 8. The instructions say an unmarried petitioner is at least 25 years of age when filing, and the form says a legally married but separated petitioner files only if the spouse joins in the petition and adoption.

  • Birth siblings between 16 and 18

    The instructions say the International Adoption Simplification Act of 2010 lets a birth sibling of a child adopted by the same parents qualify after the 16th birthday, if Form I-800 is filed before the sibling turns 18.

  • Who may not file

    The instructions list an expired Form I-800A approval, a change in marital status without a new Form I-800A, a significant change not yet approved on Form I-800A Supplement 3, and adoption from a country that is not a Convention country.

  • Adoptions from non-Convention countries

    For a child from a country other than a Convention country, the instructions point to Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, and Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.

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Questions about Form I-800

Can Form I-800 be filed without an approved Form I-800A?

No. The USCIS page says the petitioner needs an approved, valid Form I-800A to file Form I-800. If the approval has expired or was never obtained, the instructions point back to Form I-800A.

What is the deadline for Form I-800?

The instructions say it is filed before the Form I-800A approval or extension notice expires and before the child's 16th birthday. A birth sibling of a child adopted by the same parents can be filed for until the sibling's 18th birthday.

Can I adopt the child before filing Form I-800?

The instructions say provisional approval of Form I-800 comes before adopting or obtaining custody. Part 4, Item 19 says a petition with an earlier adoption or custody order is not approved unless that order is vacated, annulled or otherwise terminated.

Do I file a separate Form I-800 for each child?

Part 1 lists a first petition and an additional petition for multiple children. Part 3 says a fee applies to each Form I-800 after the first during the approval period, unless the children are siblings.

Is an affidavit of support required?

Part 6 asks for Form I-864 or Form I-864EZ unless one of two exemptions is requested: 40 qualifying quarters of work credited to the child, or a child who will automatically become a U.S. citizen under INA section 320 on admission.

Can USCIS talk to my adoption agency about my case?

The USCIS page says it generally may not share case information without consent. Form I-800 Supplement 1, Consent to Disclose Information, gives that consent, and the instructions say it is not required to file.

What is the Form I-800 filing fee?

USCIS fees change, so this page does not list one. The I-800 page points to the USCIS Fee Schedule, and the instructions point to Form G-1055.