ISCIS (formerly called INS):
New Information as of March 2008:
There will be some changes coming down the line with USCIS. There will be a centralized office to do the adoption petitions called the "National Benefits Center". It also looks like families going through Hague countries will have I800 and I800A forms instead of the I600 forms. This is all supposed to be effective on April 1, 2008. Although, as of the latest, you still file with the local office as it looks like this is kind of a work in progress.
Following is information passed along to LEEAF regarding USCIS (INS) in June, 2006 (always check for accuracy):
The new USCIS Officer is Kelly Keys. His # is 504-836-3460
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
District Director: M. Stella Jarina
Service areas: Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky
Where Are We?
New Orleans District Office:
Location: (Effective Tuesday, June 6, 2006)
Street Address:
Metairie Centre, Third Floor (Suite 300)
2424 Edenborn Avenue
Metairie, LA 70001
Mailing Address:
USCIS
2424 Edenborn Avenue, Suite 300 (3rd Floor)
Metairie, LA 70001
How to Find Us:
Directions:
We are located at the corner of Edenborn Ave and the South I-10 Service
Road in Metairie, LA; on the third floor of the Metairie Centre.
Directions for the District Office (Naturalization, INFOPASS):
From Interstate I-10, exit I-10 at Exit 228, Causeway Blvd. Go south on
Causeway Blvd. And turn right on W. Napoleon Avenue. Then turn right on
Edenborn Avenue and 2424 Edenborn will be on your left. Park in the
paring garage immediately prior to Metairie Centre. Park in unmarked
spaces or spaces marked "Visitor" only.
Get Directions, Find Maps on the Internet
Parking:
Free Parking in the attached parking structure. Please park on the
fourth floor or above.
Visiting Our Office:
Public Hours:
The New Orleans District Office is open to the public between
8:00am and 3:00pm; Monday through Friday. The office is CLOSED on
Saturdays, Sundays and Federal Holidays. To speak with an Immigration
Officer, please schedule an INFOPASS appointment via the Internet at
Please check the Field Office Closings page for current information on
office hours.
Walk-ins:
To speak with an Immigration Information Officer, please schedule an
INFOPASS appointment via the Internet at INFOPASS. Please bring your
appointment notice, government issued identification (must bring a
passport or old work card if applying for an interim EAD -employment
authorization document) and any relevant documents with you to your
appointment. A limited number of persons can be seen on a walk-in basis
though these visits should be limited to emergencies only.
Paying Fees:
Please note that this office does not accept cash. Fees must be paid by
certified check, money order, or personal checks with proper
identification (govt.-issued picture identification such as driver's
license, passport, Permanent Resident Card, etc.) Click here for more
information on the payment of immigration fees.
As of August 2005, you may schedule your appointment with INS online. You can download/print the I-600A form (Application for the Advance Processing of the Orphan Petition), complete the form, and bring it with you to your appointment, along with your completed homestudy and a list of other documents that are required (ask your adoption or homestudy agency for this list).
Please confirm but as of August 2007, the filing fees are $670 plus $80 per adult for fingerprinting (which can be done at your appointment). Fingerprints do expire. In 2005, they were good for 15 months. This can change over time.
To schedule your appointment, follow these steps:
2. Click "infopass" under the heading "Infopass online appointment scheduler"
3. Click "English"
4. Click "Make your appointment with infopass"
5. Enter your zip code
6. Click "I wish to speak to an immigration officer"
7. Enter your info (name, etc.)
8. Then you will be able to choose a date and time that is available
Helpful tips from LEEAF members:
1. Start your homestudy ASAP after deciding that you will definitely proceed with the adoption process.
2. Check every single letter on the approval, to make sure your name, etc. is spelled correctly in all places. Lately, this has become a problem for many families, misspelling. If there is a misspelled word, contact them immediately. Also, make sure ALL information is correct regarding the ages of the children you plan to adopt, etc.
3. Add an additional child to the number you are requesting. You don't need to actually adopt that number of children, but it gives you cushion in the event you have a sibling referral or other situation.
ISCIS Renewal Information as of October 2007, but always confirm any info:
A LEEAF family had this experience - When they sent USCIS, Mary Hines, the I600 renewal application with "renewal" written on top, Mary Hines sent her back a letter stating that she did not need another application, just a letter specifically stating that she was requesting the one time no charge extension for her I600A application. This is different from what they had originally indicated.
State Police Clearance, Vital Records, & Passports
As of Jan. 2006, it is required that families adopting from Russia have a State Police Clearance, not just a local clearance. Ask your social worker/agency for details. You can download the forms at www.lsp.org/special.html. You can be fingerprinted at your local police office. Request several copies of your fingerprints..
Info on obtaining vital records/birthcertificates:
Applying for your passport:
You can apply for your passport at most local post offices. Call 1-800-275-8777 to get the telephone # of your local post office then call to see if you local post office does passports. Most do the passport photos for $10. You will need: Certified copy of your birth certificate, driver's license, fee for passport, and $10 for the two passports photos. It takes from 8 to12 weeks to receive your passport after applying if you do not expedite it.
Mandeville Post Office (Hwy. 190) - 626-7271. Does passports M-F from 10:00 - 4:00.
Walgreens and Kinkos also do passport/visa photos.
For information regarding applying for your child's US passport, click here.
