Love Across Oceans: A Years-Long International Adoption Journey to Family
In October 2021, our family experienced a devastating loss. Our sister—a devoted single mother—passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind her 13-year-old son. As we navigated the shock and grief, one truth was crystal clear: we would not allow him to walk through life alone. He was our family, and we were committed to bringing him home. What followed was a years-long international adoption and immigration journey marked by legal complexities, procedural hurdles, and countless moments of both uncertainty and hope.
Adoption in Nigeria
In January 2022, just months after our sister’s passing, we formally initiated the process to adopt our nephew in Nigeria. Although we had been supporting him informally, legal adoption in his home country was the first essential step to establish our parental relationship in the eyes of both Nigerian and U.S. law. With the support of local counsel, the Nigerian adoption was finalized within the month. This gave us the legal standing to proceed with the U.S. immigration process, but adoption alone does not grant the child immigration status or permission to enter the United States.
Beginning the U.S. Immigration Process
By April 2022, we reached out to a licensed U.S. home study agency and Adoption Center of Illinois (ACI), a Hague-accredited Primary Provider, to guide us through the complex U.S. requirements for intercountry adoption. Since Nigeria is not a party to the Hague Adoption Convention, this was considered a non-Hague adoption, governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). A Hague-accredited Primary Provider is essential in both Hague and non-Hague cases to ensure that all services meet ethical, legal, and procedural standards under U.S. law. ACI’s support was indispensable—answering questions, tracking timelines, and ensuring we complied with each step.
Home Study Completion and the I-600 Petition
By September 2022, our home study—conducted by a licensed agency in our home state—was completed. This is a critical document that evaluates the prospective adoptive parents’ ability to provide a stable, safe, and loving home. In October, we filed the Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The I-600 petition is the key application for families adopting a child from a non-Hague country. It asks USCIS to determine whether the child qualifies as an “orphan” and if the adoptive parents meet U.S. requirements to petition for their immigration.
I-604 Orphan Determination at the U.S. Consulate
In February 2023, USCIS forwarded our case to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos for what is called an I-604 Determination on Child for Adoption. This phase involves a mandatory investigation by a consular officer to confirm the accuracy of the child’s background, verify the legitimacy of the adoption, and ensure compliance with U.S. immigration law. The I-604 process varies widely in duration because each child’s case is reviewed individually. We waited anxiously, not knowing how long it might take. Finally, on May 30, 2023, the consulate found that our nephew qualified under U.S. law—one of the biggest milestones in the process.
Unexpected Delays
The path forward seemed clear until June 23, when we received a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS. The issue? A missing biometrics fee for our daughter’s fingerprinting, a requirement tied to household members 18 or older. Even minor errors can cause significant delays in immigration processing. We responded to the RFE and continued to wait. During that time, we learned that our original home study needed updating — USCIS requires updated home studies if a petition remains pending for more than 12 months. We submitted our updated home study, which was approved in October 2024.
Petition Approval and Visa Processing
After more than two years, we finally received approval of our I-600 petition in December 2024. This approval confirmed that our son could now be classified as an immediate relative for U.S. immigration purposes. In early January 2025, we received our interview date from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos: the date would be March 7. This immigrant visa interview is a crucial step in finalizing the child’s eligibility to enter the United States. We prepared meticulously collecting original documents, medical exam results, passport photos, and more.
“Jane and Michelle –
We are overwhelmed with gladness and feel truly blessed that we are now at the end stages of this process. Thank you for your amazing support and advocacy. We could not have done this without you. We are grateful.”
Coming Home
And then, on March 17, 2025, nearly three and a half years after our sister’s death, our nephew—our son—arrived in the United States. The road had been long. This process required navigating multiple legal systems, satisfying U.S. federal immigration laws, state licensing rules, Nigerian family court standards, and endless paperwork. It tested our patience and resolve. But it also deepened our love and commitment.
A Final Word: The Importance of Advocacy and Accredited Support
Without the guidance of our home study agency and ACI, we could not have completed this process. ACI’s knowledge of immigration process, attention to detail, and emotional support made a daunting process bearable. International adoption—even of a relative—is not simple. It involves more than love. It requires legal precision, compliance with both U.S. and foreign law, and unwavering persistence. Today, our family is together. And though the process was filled with complications and delays, we are forever grateful for the opportunity to keep our promise: that our son would not face the future alone.
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