Orphan Investigation

The Report on Overseas Orphan Investigation is required in all orphan adoption cases.  This investigation serves to verify that a child is an orphan as defined by U.S. immigration law. Depending on the country, the investigation is conducted in one of the following three ways:

• By a Department of Homeland of Security Officer, if there is a Department of Homeland Security at the U.S. Embassy where the child was adopted.
• During the immigrant visa interview with a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy where the child was adopted.
• A separate orphan investigation interview with a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy where the child is from, but the immigrant visa is issued at another U.S. Embassy.

The time required for such investigation varies from case to case, and can become more in depth where the status of an orphan is suspicious.