If a significant change occurs in your household, you must submit an amended home study that reflects the significant change to the USCIS National Benefits Center (NBC).
Significant changes include, but are not limited to, changes in the following:
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Residence of prospective adoptive parent
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Marital status
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Criminal history, abuse history, or other derogatory information
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Financial resources
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Additional children, dependents, or adults residing in the household
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Characteristics of the child requested
Before approval of your Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition, or Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
If the significant change occurs while your Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition is pending (or your Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, if you did not file a separate Form I-600A), you should submit your amended home study to the NBC. Include a cover letter indicating that the amended home study is being submitted to address the change.
Remember to sign your cover letter and be sure your home study preparer signs your amended home study.
After approval of your Form I-600A or Form I-600
If the significant change (other than a change in marital status) occurs after approval of your Form I-600A, submit the amended home study to the NBC. Include a written request for an updated approval notice. If USCIS concludes that approval of the Form I-600A remains appropriate, you will receive an updated Form I-171H or Form I-797 approval notice that reflects any changes.
If you did not submit a separate Form I-600A, submit the amended home study and written request to the NBC. Remember to sign your cover letter and be sure your home study preparer signs your amended home study.
If the significant change that occurs after approval of the Form I-600A or Form I-600 is a change in marital status, you cannot submit a request for an updated approval notice. You must instead submit a new Form I-600A, with a new filing fee, along with the amended home study. If you are married, your spouse must also sign the new Form I-600A.
Amended Home Study
When submitting an amended home study it must include:
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A copy of the previously submitted home study
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A new fully completed home study addressing the change(s)
*Addendums are not acceptable.
