May 21 2003

BCIS Guidance for Prospective Adoptive Parents Regarding Scheduling Fingerprinting

The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) released a memorandum April 7 addressing the procedures for adjudication of the Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (Form I-600A). The memorandum states the following: "In order to best utilize the fifteen month FBI fingerprint check period of validity the adjudicating office should schedule the PAPs [prospective adoptive parents] and all qualifying household members for fingerprinting after the home study has been received."

BCIS further states that this guidance "was intended to assist both the adjudicating officers and the prospective adoptive parents by PAPs allowing for the fingerprint clearance period to more closely mirror the I-600A validity period."

However, if PAPs are adopting from a nation where the length of adoption is not substantial, BCIS suggests that it may be best to schedule fingerprinting at the time of filing Form I-600A. In addition, if the office of adjudication takes several weeks to schedule applicants for fingerprinting, the most efficient method may be to schedule fingerprinting at the time of filing Form I-600A, as opposed to after "receipt of the home study".