[JohnnyLisa]

Greetings,

We are attempting to adopt from Ukraine and are working with a Ukrainian Lawyer. He said we need to get him I-171H form ASAP as Ukraine has limited the number of adoptions per year and a new law says they have to have all required documents in order to register.

1) So we understand that you have to fill out the I-600 or I-600a form in order to get the I-171H form. But we are unsure which I- 600 form to fill out. Any help? (We actually know the girl we desire to adopt as she is living with my missionary parents in Kiev, Ukraine).

2) Also, we have read on US immigration site for Michigan that it is taking 16 to 18 months to process the I-600 forms. So we have sent an email to find out if we can have it expedited, but we haven't gotten a response back. Does anyone know about getting it quicker. We don't want to send $830 to only find it out that we can't get it done in time this year.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Johnny & Lisa

The Schlaacks

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

Johhny & Lisa, you need to filll out the I-600A.

I do not know where you saw the 16 - 18 months, that does not seem nearly correct. For Michigan, it had been running at 3 months - which is actually long compared to how it used to be. You will need your homestudy competed, and if you do not have that it can take some time.


Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition

Edited to add: I just saw the site where the 16 - 18 months is stated. That is not for the orphan petition. On 1/15 they just completed the September orphan petitions, which means it is taking 4 1/2 months.

[JohnnyLisa]

Here is the website that indicates 16-18 months...
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/off...ectedOffice=25

[DPline]

They are referring to Naturalization applications in that 16-18 months statement. I agree that I600A applications are taking approx. 3 months at this point. I would not go by the processing dates on the website as they are notoriously inaccurate. Unluckly I would doubt that you will have any luck getting it expedited beyond that 3 month wait. I and others I know have not found the Michigan USICS office open to expedititing under any circumstances.

Good luck!

[JohnnyLisa]

Ahhh... Yes! I took a closer look and now it make sense.

Do you know if we are to apply for the I-600a or the I-600?

Thanks so MUCH for your help!
John

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

The I-6ooA

[DPline]

I agree that I think it would be the I600A, but you are going to need a complete homestudy to submit with it. The last I knew, the MI office would not accept the I600A without your homestudy. (And regardless, you will have to have one to get it processed for your 171H.)

[lleach01]

I agree with the others that you'll need to complete the I600A. If your homestudy is complete then you will need to send an original, not copy, with the I600A. Once you've done this they will send you a fingerprint appointment notification. I received my I-71H notice about 2 months after my fingerprints were complete. My application was submitted to the Detroit USCIS office August 5, fingerprints done on Sept. 25 and then received my I-71H letter on Nov. 22. The Detroit office takes about 4 months for complete processing of your I-71H.

Best wishes to you in your adoption!

Lisa
In process adoptive mom - Guatemala