In order for a child adopted abroad to enter the U.S., the parent(s) must petition
the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
(DHS, USCIS) to have the child classified as an immediate relative for the purpose
of bringing the child into the United States. Before they determine that the child
meets immigrant classification code of IR3/IH-3, or IR2 and may be legally admitted
to the United States, DHS, USCIS and the Department of State determine that the child
has been fully and finally adopted in compliance with the laws of the country where
the adoption took place. Children admitted with IR-4/IH-4 visas may or may
not have completed the adoption process abroad. If the adoption process was not completed
abroad, then parents will need to take the additional steps to complete the adoption
process after arriving in the U.S. The issuance of documents showing the IR-4/IH-4
status is not evidence alone that the child was fully and finally adopted in the foreign
country.
Since January 20, 2004, DHS, USCIS automatically issues a Certificate of Citizenship
to a foreign-born adopted child when the child is admitted to the U.S. and meets the
requirements of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. Prior to that date the parents
were required to apply for proof of the child's citizenship, either to DHS (for a
Certificate of Citizenship) or to the Department of State (for a U.S. passport).