Common Questions About the I800A

• Can I go early to my fingerprint appointment? Will it save me any time?

Yes, it is possible to do this, and many adoptive families do so successfully. It mostly depends on whether or not your local USCIS office will accept walk-ins (as they are called). Some do, some don't. All you can do is try!

If you are able to walk in to your appointment early, it is important to call USCIS afterwards and let them know that your fingerprints were done early. Otherwise, they won't have any way of knowing this and won't even open your file until after your original appointment date has passed. If you call and let USCIS know your prints are done, they can assign you an officer early and you can be approved more quickly!

NOTE: At the present time, walking in early for fingerprints is NOT really saving families any time since it is taking longer to be approved. This may change in the future if USCIS shortens approval time frames.

• I mailed my application over a week ago, and haven't heard anything. My check hasn't even been cashed yet. Is something wrong?

Not necessarily! I know everyone wants to see progress as soon as possible, but it often takes a little longer. The farther away you live from the Texas lockbox where you mailed your application, the longer it will take for you to receive notification about your application (unless you sent the G-1145 in order to get email updates). It often takes longer than one week to hear something. Don't panic!

• I received my fingerprint appointment in the mail, but my spouse has not received theirs yet.

This is not uncommon. Sometimes the notices just get separated in the mail! Wait a day or two more, and your spouse's notice should arrive. If it doesn't, call USCIS and explain the situation. Ask to be issued another fingerprint notice.

• My spouse and I both received our fingerprint appointments, but we got a second set of fingerprint appointments a few days later! What's wrong?

Again, this is not uncommon! USCIS sometimes sends out a second set of appointments by accident. Call USCIS and ask them which appointment you should use.

• Can I send a personal check with my I800A application?

Yes you can. A personal check is perfectly fine. Please make it out to the US Department of Homeland Security. DO NOT make your check out to USCIS or USDHS. Spell out the whole name as stated above.

• Can I send copies of my passport along with my I800A application instead of copies of birth certificates?

Certainly! The requirement is only to establish US citizenship - that can be done with a birth certificate, copy of your passport, certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalization. Birth certificates are just the most common. Make sure to send proof of citizenship for BOTH adoptive parents.

• Do I need to notarize my I800A application before I send it?

No, we have never notarized any of our I800A applications, and nowhere does USCIS specify this is as a requirement.

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