UPDATE on I800a Processing for Hague Convention Cases

Notification of a change in processing for Hague Convention cases was published in the Federal Register on August 26, 2008. The notice regards a change in filing location for I-800A and I800 applications and other related forms for adoptions from Hague Convention countries.

Beginning September 25, 2008, all listed forms should be filed with the following USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility located in Illinois:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 805695,
Chicago, IL 60680-4118.

Please see the link below for further information and a complete listing of forms that should be sent to the Chicago Lockbox location

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-19723.htm

ALSO, PLEASE NOTE: This change only impacts Hague country adoptions. [Note that forms I-600 and I600A related to countries not party to the Hague will have no change in filing location.]

Here is the summary of the notice as published in the Federal Register:

SUMMARY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding its Direct Mail Program to include Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, and Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country.

Applicants must submit Forms I-800, I-800A, and all related supplements and forms to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility located in Illinois, for initial processing. Applicants were previously required to file at a USCIS field office with jurisdiction over their place of current residence. The Direct Mail Program allows USCIS to process applications more efficiently by eliminating duplicative work, maximizing staff productivity, and introducing better information management tools."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lissette Kvortek,
HQ Adjudications Officer
Office of Field Operations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Department of Homeland Security
20 Massachusetts Avenue NW.
Washington, DC 20529
Telephone (202) 272-1001.