Compliance of US Immigration procedures by prospective adoptive parents is mandated by INS. Merely, locating a child and visiting the respective embassy to obtain a visa will not satisfy the requirements. The issuance of a visa to a child is based upon the INS approved petition, form I-600. It is recommended that one contact the local INS office in their area for assistance early in the process.

The Orphan Petition consists of two parts, I-600 and I-600A. If a specific child has been identified by the adoptive parents, then the I-600 will be filed. The INS arbitrates all facets of the I-600 petition which include the appropriateness of the adoptive parents, compliance of state pre-adoption requirements, and classification of the child as an orphan as determined by the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 101 (b)(1)(F). After approval of the petition, the INS notifies the US embassy or consulate which has jurisdiction over the area the where the child is located. Additional supporting documentation must be sent to the National Visa Center located in New Hampshire. There a computer tracking code will be assigned to the petition and mailed to the appropriate US consular office.

The  I-600A form is to be filed if the prospective parents have yet to identify a child or intend to travel to locate a child. Similar to the I-600, evaluation is made by the INS office. Once a child is found, a I-600 will need to be filed. Only one person must be present to file the petition overseas. However, both parents must sign the petition, and it cannot be done by power of attorney although express mail service may be used to obtain both signatures.