Evidence of US citizenship

Primary Documentation

1.         Certificate of Naturalization or Certification of Citizenship;

2.         Unexpired US passport;

3.         Birth Certificate showing birth in the U.S.;

4.         Report of birth abroad of a U.S. citizen (FS-240) (issued by the Department of State to U.S. citizens);

Secondary Evidence

1.         Baptismal certificate, with the seal of church, showing the date and place of birth in the United States and the date of baptism.

2.         Affidavits sworn by persons who are familiar with the events of birth of the petitioner

3.         School records (preferably from the first school) showing the date of admission to the school, the child's date and place of birth, and the names and places of birth of the child's parents.

4.         Census records

5.         Military proof

Relationship Documents

Natural Parents (born in wedlock)

1.         The child's birth certificate. If the child's name differs from the name on his or her birth certificate, evidence of the name change must be submitted.

2.         Household Registration

3.         Marriage Certificate of the parents

4.         Divorce decrees, death certificates, or other documentation evidencing the termination of all prior marriages of both parents

Natural Mother (born out of wedlock)

1.         The child's birth certificate. If the child's name differs from the name on his or her birth certificate, evidence of the name change must be submitted.

2.         Household Registration

3.         Marriage Certificate of the mother if her present name differs from that on the birth certificate of the child

4.         Marriage Certificate of a married daughter

Father/child relationship with the child born out of wedlock (file for the natural father) should provide following documents

1.         The child's birth certificate. If the child's name differs from the name on his or her birth certificate, evidence of the name change must be submitted.

2.         Household Registration

3.         Evidence that a bona fide parent-child relationship is or has been established while the child is unmarried and under 21 years old, or the child has been “legitimated” under the law of the child’s residence before the child’s 18^th birthday and the father has legal custody of the child

4.         Money Order Receipts

5.         Canceled checks

6.         Income Tax Returns

7.         Medical or insurance records

8.         School records

9.         Correspondence between the father and child

10.     Notarized affidavits from friends, neighbors, school officials or other close family members, making proof for the father/child relationship

Step-parents

1.         The child's birth certificate. If the child's name differs from the name on his or her birth certificate, evidence of the name change must be submitted.

2.         Household Registration

3.         The marriage certificate of the step-father/mother to the natural mother/father

4.         Divorce decrees, death certificates, or other documentation evidencing the termination of all prior marriages of the step-father/mother and natural mother/father, such as annulment decrees

5.         The adoptive child’s birth certificate. If the child’s name differs from the name on his or her birth certificate, evidence of the name change must be submitted

6.         Household Registration

7.         Evidence that the parent has the legal custody of the child for at least two years, and is physically residing with the child for a two-year period

8.         A certified copy of the adoption decree, showing that adoption was completed before the child’s 16^th birthday

9.         Household Registration of the child

10.     School Report Card of the child (signed by the adoptive parents)

11.     Affidavit of the teacher (the adoptive parents accompany the child)

12.     Certificate of the doctor (the adoptive parents accompany the child and pay it)

13.     Credit Card (paying fee-for-service, child support)

14.     Money Order Receipts (child support)

15.     Photos taken together

16.     Passport (if the adoptive parents have taken the child abroad for travel)

17.     Notarized affidavit from Committee of Lin or Li in Taiwan, showing the cohabitation

18.     Notarized affidavit from Resident Committee in China Mainland, showing the cohabitation

19.     Life Insurance

20.     Medicare

21.     Notarized affidavit from Church, showing the cohabitation.

Note：  All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. A competent translator must certify the translation and swear to the accuracy of the document before a notary public.