Home Study & CIS Updates

Important Information Regarding Your Home Study and USCIS Update

Hello,

You have been directed to this webpage because, from the information that we have on file, it appears that you need to update your approval with U.S. CIS (Citizenship & Immigration Service). It is essential that you keep your USCIS approval up to date throughout your adoption process. Failure to do so can result in significant delays in bringing your child home. Extending your I600A or I800A requires a home study update that will eventually be filed with your extension request.  Although we are diligent in our efforts to keep this site up to date, state agencies and USCIS often change their requirements without notice. In these instances, we may need to request additional documentation from you.

Steps in the process:

1.  Please complete all necessary paperwork in the three sections below. Be attentive to directions as they differ for each form. Your home study update can not be completed without the necessary items. It might be helpful to bookmark this page so you can navigate to it as a guide easily.

2.  Please pay the home study update fee ($600) at https://whfc.org/product/adoption-payments/

3.  Your social worker will be in touch in a few weeks to schedule a home visit.  We ask you to get a head start on the paperwork so that she can ultimately write her report shortly after your visit.

Please contact us should you have any questions about updating your Home Study or CIS approval. We understand that this may feel overwhelming at times, and we are here to guide and support you through this critical step in your adoption process.

Please remember that for any documents that are sent to us via scan, we only accept .pdf format (not .jpg or any other image file type). Many documents associated with updates do need to be mailed originals, but your adoption coordinator can guide you.

SECTION 1: CIS FORMS

To extend an I600A approval for adoption from countries not party to the Hague Convention (i.e., Korea), please send your Adoption Coordinator 1) a letter based on this template, 2) Request for Action form, and 3) fee (if needed)

To extend an I800A approval for adoption from countries party to the Hague Convention (i.e., China, Philippines, Colombia, Burundi), please send your Adoption Coordinator a a completed Supplement 3 with fee (if needed).

Each I600A or I800A approval includes one free extension and re-fingerprinting as long as the extension request is filed before the expiration date. Late or subsequent requests require a fee.

SECTION II: FOR ALL FAMILIES REGARDLESS OF STATE OF RESIDENCE

SECTION III: COMPLETE YOUR STATE SPECIFIC PAPERWORK

FOR MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS

  • CRIMINAL CLEARANCE REQUEST FORM
    • One for each member of the household – age 15 and older
    • Must include photocopy of your U.S. passport or driver’s license.
  • CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY CHECK
    • complete only the one for your current state of residence for updates
    • include each member of the household — age 14 and older

FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS

FOR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS

  • CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CLEARANCE INSTRUCTIONS: For all household members over 18. After you have fingerprints completed, please scan your Adoption Coordinator the receipt.
  • CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY CHECK: Please alert your Adoption Coordinator that you need to complete this for NJ.  She will need the name and current email for all household members over 18 to enter your information in the state’s system.  An invitation will then be sent to each to complete the clearance. There is a $15/person fee paid online.

FOR NEW YORK RESIDENTS

  • MEDICAL STATEMENT
  • CRIMINAL CLEARANCE REQUEST FORM: Criminal clearances are updated by our Main office. A faxed request will be submitted to the NYS Office of Children and Families on your behalf. If you have any questions about this process, please speak with your social worker.
  • CHILD ABUSE REGISTRY CHECK
    • complete only the one for your current state of residence for updates
    • include each member of the household — age 18 and older

Please complete this request and return to Wide Horizons’ Main Office to the address above Attn: NY Clearance. You likely saved a copy of this form the first time you completed it during your initial home study and this can assist you. DO NOT MAIL TO THE STATE YOURSELF.

FOR VERMONT RESIDENTS

Needs to be completed for all household adults (18+)

Send this form to WHFC for criminal history and child abuse registry clearances in Vermont.