International Adoptions in Russia

List of Documents Required for an Adoption-Related Visa

Important Notice Of Changes In The Processing Of Adoption Cases At The U.S Embassy In Moscow

Effective March 30, 2009, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will assume responsibility for adjudicating all I-600’s (Petition to Classify Orphan as Immediate Relative) filed by US citizens who have adopted children in the Russian Federation. The filing and approval of the I-600 petition is required before an immigrant visa application can be issued by the Department of State.

Appointments will be required to submit the I-600, supporting documents, and visa application materials.

Each official Russian document must be presented in the following way: the original document or a copy certified by the custodian of the document and an English translation; one photocopy of the original; and, a second translation. Translations from languages other than Russian must be notarized

1. Both adoptive parents' passports, with a photocopy of the information page of each passport.
2. US Embassy Moscow does not require a power of attorney notarized by a U.S. notary for IR-3 cases. However, if only one parent is present at the visa interview, proof that both parents have met the child (a photograph of the absent parent with the child) is required.
   A power of attorney is required for IR-4 cases if the petitioner is not present at the interview.
3. The child's original birth certificate (i.e., the one with the birth parents listed), certified by ZAGS.
4. Information regarding the resolution of the birth parents' rights: e.g., death certificates; certificates confirming that the listed parents were not legally registered; letters of relinquishment; court decrees removing parental rights, etc. If the child was a foundling and /or the orphanage has been unable to locate the child's parents, there should be certified copies of any official documents, such as records of the orphanage's attempts to track the parents.
5. The adoption decree issued by the local court.
6. A letter from the Ministry of Education indicating that the child has spent the required amount of time listed on the Federal Data Bank and has been released for adoption by foreigners.
7. A letter from each orphanage or hospital in which the child has resided. This letter should include the dates of the child's stay in the institution, any information as to whether the child was visited, and a statement of no objection to the adoption by the orphanage.
8. The adoption certificate.
9. The amended birth certificate (i.e., the one which indicates the names of the U.S. citizen adoptive parents).
10. The child's passport and a photocopy of the information page.
11. The medical form in a sealed envelope from the Panel Physician. (see list below).
12. Form I-600  (PDF 114KB)completed, signed and dated by both parents. The power of attorney does not authorize either to sign this form on the other's behalf.
13. Form DS-230  (PDF 175KB)- Application for Immigrant Visa. This form should be completed from the perspective of the adopted child. Please do not sign this form until asked to do so.
14. Form I-604 (PDF 219KB)(investigation form). Fill out ONLY section number 1.
15. Immunization Affidavit (PDF 20KB)
16. I-864W, Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption (PDF 78KB)
17. I-864 - Affidavit of Support and last 3 years of 1040 tax returns (only required if one of the parents was not presented at the court hearing or if parents reside outside the US). If you are adopting more than one child, you must submit a separate I-864 for each child.
18. Two color photos 5 cm by 5 cm

All originals which are presented at the Embassy will be returned to the parents immediately following the interview with the Consular officer.

We are unable to begin processing your case until your file is complete. To ensure that we are able to help you process the visa for your adopted child as quickly as possible, please be sure that your documents are well organized and that forms DS-230 and I-600 are completed prior to your arrival at the Embassy.