USCIS Income Requirements for Approval to Adopt Internationally

 

 

Adopting internationally is a complicated (but worth it!) process.  Part of this process is to apply for and be approved to bring a foreign-born child into this country.  The US Customs and Immigration Services Office (USCIS) in your state is responsible for approving either your I600A or your I800A application (depending on the country you hope to adopt from).

Before you even begin the international adoption process, it is essential to confirm that your family's income not only meets the foreign country's income requirements for adoption, but also our own USCIS requirements.   USCIS uses the US Poverty Guideline to determine whether your income is sufficient enough to adopt and care for another child.

Based on the total number of people in your household, including yourself, your spouse, all of your dependent children, AND the child/children you hope to bring home, you must meet a minimum of 125% of the US Poverty Guideline for the total number of household members.

Please note that active members of the military must only meet the 100% level.

Please also note that if you have adopted domestically, ADOPTION SUBSIDIES DO NOT COUNT AS TAXABLE INCOME.  These can NOT be counted towards your income for USCIS.  That subsidy income CAN be counted to meet the requirement of the foreign country, but not for USCIS.

The following are the 2008 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia:

 

Size of Family Unit

Poverty Guidelines

125 Percent

1

$10,400

$13,000

2

$14,000

$17,500

3

$17,600

$22,000

4

$22,200

$26,500

5

$24,800

$31,000

6

$28,400

$35,500

7

$32,000

$40,000

8

$35,600

$44,500
 
For family units with more than 8 members, add $4,500 per family member to meet 125% of the poverty guideline.

The following are the 2008 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska:

Size of Family Unit

100 Percent

125 Percent

1

$13,000

$16,250

2

$17,500

$21,875

3

$22,000

$27,500

4

$26,500

$33,125

5

$31,000

$38,750

6

$35,500

$44,375

7

$40,000

$50,000

8

$44,500

$55,625
 
Add $5,625 for each additional family member to meet the poverty guideline.

The following are the 2008 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii:

Size of Family Unit

100 Percent

125 Percent

1

$11,960

$14,950

2

$16,100

$20,125

3

$20,240

$25,300

4

$24,380

$30,475

5

$28,520

$35,650

6

$32,660

$40,825

7

$36,800

$46,000

8

$40,940

$51,175

Add $5,175 for each additional family member to meet the poverty guideline.

 

If you have questions about these income requirements, please do not hesitate to ask!

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