The United States government has a wealth of information useful in beginning your adoption, during the process, and preparing for and during your travel.

Assistant Stork has information on each state's Vital Record Department and Secretary of State Departments.

The State Department has information on passports and visas, international adoption in general, and information on adoption in our program countries.

The Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has information on fingerprinting and fees. Now you can download the forms necessary for staring the immigration process that must be completed before you can adopt internationally.

CIS Home

Forms, Fees, and Fingerprints

Form I-600A "Application For Advance Processing of Orphan Petition." This form starts the immigration process for your adoption. You need not have a referral to file this form. In fact, you should complete and file this as one of your very first steps. ACW has lots of experience with the USCIS. Let us help you with the process.

Form I-600 "Petition To Classify Orphan As an Immediate Relative." Form I-600 is filed after a specific child is identified for adoption.

From the Internal Revenue Service you can download tax forms such as those necessary to obtain the adoption tax credit or the child care credit.

When traveling outside of the United States for an international adoption, large sums of cash are often carried with you. When the cash amount exceeds $10,000 a Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments form must be filled out and submitted to Customs prior to departure.

Child Citizenship Act of 2000

Joint Council Website

Council on Accreditation Website

The following sites are controlled by the IRS and are not related to the Adoption Center of Washington. The forms listed below are merely suggestions and do not constitute tax advice or legal advice of any kind. For expert information seek the counsel of a qualified tax or legal professional.

IRS Home

Income Tax Forms and Publications

• For the adoption tax credit download Form 8839 and Publication 968.
• The child care credit is entered on Line 35 of Form 1040. Instructions are found in Publication 17, "Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals," Chapter 35. To claim additional child tax credit, download Form 8812.
• To claim the credit for child and dependent care expenses, download Form 2441 and Publication 503. If filing a 1040A, download Schedule 2 of the Form 1040A.
• If you employ a caregiver inside your home, download Publication 926, "Household Employer's Tax Guide," to see if you're liable for the "nanny tax."