Required Documents:
With any question about your dossier or your adoption, PLEASE contact your agency for more information. We have provided the following merely as additional information and are not responsible for any errors in its completeness or accuracy.
There are several websites devoted to dossier preparation. One of the best is that of World Child International, The Paper Chase.
The "official" list of requirements may be found on the Chinese Centre for Adoption Affairs (CCAA) website (although some adoption agencies may have additional documents required).
Some of these required documents, and the San Diego County source for each document, are:
- Letter of Intent to Adopt to the CCAA: This is your letter to the CCAA specifying your intent to adopt. Please check with your agency concerning specific requirements.
- Birth Certificate (necessary for each applicant)
San Diego County Birth Certificates may be obtained at the Offices of the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk. [Forms]
Information about obtaining Birth Certificates from other areas may be found on the Assistant Stork's Vital Records website
- Proof of Current Marital Status, which will include one of the following: Single/Never Married Letter, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Spouse's Death Certificate (if single due to widowhood).
San Diego County Marriage Certificates may be obtained at the Offices of the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk. [Forms]
San Diego County Death Certificates may be obtained at the Offices of the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk.
Divorce Decrees are typically available from the Clerk of Superior Court in county where divorce was granted. In San Diego county, they are usually available through the San Diego Superior Courts
- Letter of Employment: Required for each working parent (applicant)
- Net Worth Statement
- Health Examination Form(s): Required by CCAA for each household member age 18 or over
- Police Clearance (Domestic) - (also known as Certificate of Good Conduct)
Required by CCAA for each household member age 18 or over
These reports are available from the
- San Diego County Sheriff's Office
- Licensing Division.
- 9621 Ridgehaven Court
- San Diego, CA 92142
- Contact them at (858)974-2020 for an application.
- Homestudy: Provided by your Homestudy and/or Adoption Agency
- I-171H: The I-171H is issued by the USCIS after filing the I-600A (with application fee and required documents). To request the I-600A form, call the USCIS Forms Request number at 1-800 870-FORM (3676) and ask for the I-600A and all related documents (be sure to tell them that it is for an international adoption from China).
You can also download the forms from the USCIS website at uscis.gov.
San Diego Office of the USCIS Excerpts from this website:- Adoption Petitions:
In person inquiries: Tuesdays between 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
If you are not able to come to the office during that time, you must submit questions regarding adoption petitions in writing to:
Adoption/Orphan Officer
USCIS San Diego District Office
880 Front Street, Suite 1209
San Diego, CA 92101
Fax: (619) 557-5550
- Fingerprints:
Once the USCIS has scheduled you for fingerprinting, see Application Support Centers (where fingerprinting can be obtained) for details about hours and locations. Or, call the NCSC toll-free at 1 (800) 375-5283.
- Orphan Petitions:
Questions regarding adoption petitions can be made in person or in writing. In person inquiries can be made on Tuesdays between 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM. Inquiries made in writing can be faxed to (619) 557-5550 or mailed to:
USCIS San Diego District Office
ATTN: Adoption/Orphan Officer:
880 Front Street, Suite 1209
San Diego, CA 92101
- Passport - Copies of the photo and signature pages of each applicant's passport.
Information about obtaining your Passport from the US State Department.
- Photos of the applicants and their home: Please contact your agency about specific requirements.
- Copy of Naturalization Certificate of each Naturalized applicant (if applicable)
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