[whoownsthis]

Has anyone adopted two children from the same orphanage who were NOT biologically related?

If so, do you complete two I-600 forms and pay an additional fee ($525)? The first child should not require the additional fee, as long as the adoption is completed within 18 months of the I-171H issue date...But the second, unrelated child requires this additional fee, right?

If the two kids are bio siblings, there is NO additional fee, though, right?

Also, does the BCIS investigate both children's orphan status at the same time (as they would if they were bio-related)? Or do they investigate one child first (for up to 10 days), then the other child (another 10 days)? If so, this would really extend our stay in-country!

Thanks!

[1STTIMEMOM]

Hi. My dh and I are also adopting from Panama. We are waiting for final approval from Panama, then hopefully to be matched with a child (ren). We have told them that we would like to adopt two children if possible. I have not had to deal with the fees or with INS yet. So I can't directly answer your question. I would like to hear your story though.
My attorney did say that this stay would be around 3 weeks. We traveled in May and were only there for 5 days.
Are you working with an agency or private? We are just working directly with an attorney.
Do you know which children you are adopting yet? I would love to hear about them.
Good Luck!

[hjdeth]

I adopted 2 unrelated children from Ukraine in 2001. Their orphan status was investigated together and their visas were issued together. The 2nd fee is paid when you file the I-600 forms at the US embassy for visa processing.

Also, if you later adopt a sibling of one of your children, the fee is waived so long as you can prove the relationship.

[sak9645]

China does not allow the adoption of two or more unrelated children at the same time. If you wish to adopt more than one child, except in the case of siblings, at least a year must pass between the adoptions.

On the other hand, many other countries, such as Ethiopia and Guatemala, DO permit the adoption of unrelated children, as long as the agencies placing the children do not have policies prohibiting the practice.

Sharon