As soon as the USCIS finalizes processing your petitions for international adoption (Forms I-800 / I-800A) and approves them, they are forwarded to embassy in Riga for immigrant visa processing purposes. The embassy Riga will inform your adoption services provider when the approved petitions are received. If you wish, you may also contact us by phone +371 6710 7034 or e-mail to askconsular-riga@state.gov to verify if the petitions have arrived.

Document Requirements for Adoption-Based Immigrant Visa Applications

Please note that a separate packet of all documents must be prepared for each adopted child.

• Form DS-260 Online Immigrant Visa Application. Information on the form should pertain to the child. Details of adoptive parents must be provided in the relevant fields of parents’ information. After submitting Form DS-260 online, you must print the confirmation page and bring it to your interview. You can access and print the confirmation page at any time after completing the DS-260 application;
• Completed and signed Form I-864W Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support;
• Child’s Latvian passport issued in the child’s new name;
• Adoptive parents’ passports;
• One color photograph 5×5 cm, front view of the child’s face, with a white or light background;
• Medical examination (PDF – 165 kB), including a vaccination report;
• A signed and notarized affidavit regarding deferral of vaccinations Form DS-1981 must be submitted if any of the vaccinations are missing. The form may be signed by either of the adopting parents and notarized by a U.S. Consular Officer or U.S. notary public. This form may be used only for children 10 years of age and younger;
• Acknowledgement of Health Problems of Adopted Child (PDF – 12 kB)  is required if during the adoption process the adoptive child develops a new health problem or a previously unknown health issue is discovered. In these cases, both parents must include all known health issues and sign the acknowledgement either in presence of a U.S. consular officer or a U.S. notary public;
• The final adoption decree, declaring that the court has ordered the child’s complete and unconditional adoption, with notary certified English translation and one copy of this document set. In case of several children adopted together, you need to prepare two copies of the decree and the translation for submitting on behalf of each child;
• Article 23 Letter – official statement by the Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia indicating that the adoption has been finalized in Latvia and the court ruling has become effective;
• Certified copy of the child’s pre-adoption birth certificate with English translation;
• The child’s complete post-adoption birth certificate listing the adopting parents information (original and one copy with certified English translation);
• Court records pertaining to the disposition of the birth parent’s rights, including, if applicable, the fact that an unacknowledged father has no parental rights (original and one copy with English translation). If same document applies to a group of siblings you are adopting together, you only need to prepare two additional copies of the court decree with translation for each additional child. You do not need to submit these documents if information is referenced in detail in the final adoption decree;
• Immigrant visa fee of $325 USD per person. This fee must be paid at the embassy in cash or by credit card in U.S. dollars or euros (at the embassy exchange rate);
• Police clearance letter issued by the Information Center of the Latvian Ministry of Interior for children aged 16 years or over. Click on this link for instructions for obtaining a police clearance letter (PDF – 168kB).

SCHEDULING A VISA INTERVIEW

You should schedule an immigrant visa interview appointment with the Consular Section by phone +371 6710 7034 or e-mail askconsular-riga@state.gov in a timely manner.

AFTER ADOPTION

Adoptive parents should review information on TRAVEL.STATE.GOV on the inter-country adoption process from Latvia, including post-adoption reporting requirements.