Form I-800A is used to initiate the immigration process of a child who is being adopted by a United States citizen and whose country of origin is a member of the Hague Convention. Form I-800A and the requisite supporting evidence are necessary for the USCIS to determine the eligibility and suitability of the prospective adoptive parents.

Form I-800A should be used by a United States citizen who resides in the United States and who intends to adopt a child who is a resident of a Convention country. Form I-800A should not be used if the U.S. Citizen intends to adopt a child from a country other than a Convention country.

Form I-800A warns the applicant to not accept any adoption placement before USCIS has approved Form I-800A. Also, Form I-800A applicants are warned not to have any contact with a parent, legal custodian or any other individual or entity that is responsible for the care of the child until such contact is allowed under Article 29 of the Convention.

The prospective parents should not adopt or obtain custody of the child until after the USCIS has approved Form I-800A. Adoption or custody should not be initiated until after Form-I-800A is received and the prospective parent has obtained provisional approval of Form-I-800 to classify the adoptee child as an Immediate Relative, and the United States Department of State has provided to the Central Authority of the child's country of origin the notice that the adoption or custody proceeding may be completed.