[DineshGaitonde]

Six weeks after a referral from Sofosh (Pune), we got NOC from CARA for our son.

Our guardianship petition has now been filed. Since Sofosh permits prospective parents to be foster parents for the baby until the guardianship papers come through, my wife is leaving for India this week. She will stay there with our son until all the paperwork is ready for him to come back. Since this is her last chance to take any paperwork needed from
US, we have a few question regarding further
processing.

We have the approval from INS (I171H) for the baby's visa. Do we need to take any documents other than Affidavit of support (I-864), tax returns, and visa application form (D-230 Part I). Also I would like to know if anyone has any idea about visa application fee (how much and in what currency do they accept).

Considering that we have already submitted I600A petition, in response to which we got the I171H, do we still need to fill out form I600?

Can we get visa appointment in Delhi immediately? Is it an appointment system or do they accept walk ins for the baby's visa. If an appointment is needed, does anyone have the number to call to schedule it?

Does the US embassy in Delhi need both parents to be present for the baby's visa or will only one of us do?

Thanks in advance for any help.

- dinesh & medha

[ll_bay]

Hi and congrats!

Documents needed should be listed. The fees should be readily available on the INS website. We paid in cash, American dollars, in 2003, but found out we could have paid in rupees or with traveler's checks. But they change things like that all the time, so I'd call.
I-600 is still necessary. All I-600A/I171H means is that you got advanced processing. The I-600 applies to the particular child.
We walked in for both the USCIS and visa and did both on the same day. However, get there early and prepare for a possibly long wait. We went on a "quiet day" and were still there several hours (didn't help that it was a holiday AND there was a cricket test on, though).
I think you only need the parent present whose name is presented as the primary petitioner on the I-600A. But that's something else I'd call and ask.

Good luck

[niceguy0211]

Hi!

Congratulations!

My wife and I are pretty much in the same boat as you are. CARA issued the NOC for our 10-month old baby girl (from a Maharashtra orphanage) on March 22nd. Now the orphanage has started the court process in Mumbai. My wife had stayed back in India after we had both gone there in November 2004 and now has possesion of the baby. As far as I can understand once the court gives the adoption decree papers, the orphanage will apply for the baby's passport. Once the passport is issued, my wife will go to Delhi to file the I600 and for the visa. According to the Delhi Embassy website, physical presence of a US Citizen is necessary to file the I600 - it does not mention if it has to be the primary petitioner.

Do you (or anyone) know which court in Mumbai handles the adoption cases and how long it takes? I beleive it would be the same court that will process the cases for the both of us.

Thank You,
GM