Quick answer
What is USCIS Form I-800A used for?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses this form to adjudicate the eligibility and suitability of the applicant(s) who want to adopt a child who is habitually resident in a Hague Adoption Convention country.
I-800A evaluates prospective parents in a Hague adoption
I-800A is the suitability-and-eligibility application for prospective adoptive parents when the child will be adopted from a country covered by the Hague Adoption Convention. The evidence centers on the applicants and household, including citizenship, marriage and prior-marriage records, immigration status where applicable, the home study, adult household-member supplements, and state pre-adoption compliance.
This form does not itself classify a particular child as an immediate relative. Form I-800 is the child-specific petition used later in the Convention process. Do not interchange I-800A with I-600A, which belongs to the non-Hague orphan process. Confirm the child’s country and adoption framework first, then keep household facts consistent across the home study, I-800A, supplements, adoption-service-provider records, and any later I-800 petition.
Treat the approved suitability record as a living case file. Household composition, residence, marital status, criminal history, health, finances, or the intended Convention country may require updated evidence or action. Preserve every supplement and approval notice so the later I-800 petition can be reconciled to the exact approved household.
The Hague process also depends on coordinated action by the accredited or approved adoption service provider, the child’s country of origin, the Department of State, and USCIS. Keep Article 5/17 communications and country-specific approvals separate from the household suitability evidence. Do not finalize an adoption or custody step out of sequence merely because I-800A has been approved.
What to prepare before filling I-800A
- 01
Confirm that Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, matches the specific benefit, request, verification, or record you need.
- 02
Download the current Form I-800A and its separate instructions from USCIS, then compare the edition date before typing any answers.
- 03
For Form I-800A, collect the identity records, receipt or account numbers, dates, addresses, and prior immigration documents that support your answers.
- 04
For the relationship questions in Form I-800A, build a timeline and gather the civil records, translations, and custody or adoption evidence that applies.
Current official filing details
The details below are condensed from the USCIS page reviewed on 2026-07-26. Follow the official page and instructions if they differ from this snapshot.
Edition date
01/20/25. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Where to file
U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USCIS Adoption I-800A P.O.
Box 660087 Dallas, TX 75266-0087 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries: USCIS Attn: Adoption I-800A (Box 660087) 2501 S. State Hwy.
121 Business Suite 400 Lewisville, TX 75067-8003
Filing fee
You can find the filing fee for Form I-800A by visiting our Fee Schedule page.
Initial evidence
Did you provide the following? Proof of your U.S. citizenship; Proof of marriage of you and your spouse (if applicable); Proof you and your spouse terminated all prior marriages (if applicable); Proof of your spouse’s U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status in the United States (if applicable); Proof of your spouse’s name, identity, and citizenship, if not a resident of the United States (if applicable); Home study; and Evidence you have complied with pre-adoption requirements in the state of the child’s proposed residence (if applicable).
USCIS filing tips
Filing Tips for Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country Complete all sections of the form. We will reject the form if these fields are missing: Part 2 – Information About You Family Name Physical Address
Special instructions
E-Notification: If you want to receive an e-mail and/or a text message that we have accepted your form at a USCIS lockbox, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, and clip it to the first page of your form. Our Suitability and Home Study Information page gives prospective adoptive parents and adoption service providers helpful information about home studies for intercountry adoptions.
You must complete Form I-800A, Supplement 1, Listing of Adult Member of the Household, for each adult member of your household. You do not need to complete one for yourself or your spouse (if married).
You may submit Form I-800A, Supplement 2, Consent to Disclose Information, if you want to allow us to disclose information about your case to your adoption service provider, home study preparer, or any other individual or entity (other than your attorney or accredited representative). We generally may not disclose information to other people, such as your adoption service provider, without your consent.
Official I-800A downloads and filing links
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Get the AI PDF filling skillUSCIS Form I-800A FAQ
What is Form I-800A used for?
USCIS uses this form to adjudicate the eligibility and suitability of the applicant(s) who want to adopt a child who is habitually resident in a Hague Adoption Convention country.
How much does Form I-800A cost?
You can find the filing fee for Form I-800A by visiting our Fee Schedule page.
Can I file Form I-800A online?
The USCIS all-forms directory does not list a general online filing option for this form. Follow the official page for the required filing method.
Related USCIS form guides
Fees, support & filing tools
Form G-1145
E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
Family & adoption
Form EOIR-29
Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals from a Decision of a DHS Officer
Family & adoption
Form I-129F
Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
Family & adoption
Form I-130
Petition for Alien Relative
Family & adoption
Form I-360
Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
Family & adoption
Form I-361
Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Independent guide by Clerks AI; not affiliated with USCIS and not legal advice.
Last researched 2026-07-26. Recheck the official page before filing.