Documents must show that you (or your dependent) were adopted, placed in foster care, or became a dependent through a court order. These documents must include the name of the person who became a dependent and the date he or she became a dependent. Documents you can submit:
Adoption letter or record that shows the name of the person who was adopted and the date of adoption. This needs to be signed by a government or court official.
Foster care papers that show the name of the person who was placed in foster care and the date of the placement. This needs to be signed by a government or court official.
Child support or other court order that shows the name of the person who became a new dependent and the date of the court order. This needs to be signed by a court official.
Document for legal guardianship that shows the name of the person who became a new dependent and the date that this person was placed in a home or the date legal guardianship was established. This needs to be a government-issued or legal document.
Medical support order that shows the name of the person who became a dependent and the effective date of the order.
You can upload more than one document if you have multiple documents to confirm adoption, foster care placement, or court order. Select the green "UPLOAD DOCUMENTS" button on the upload screen in your application to submit each document.
What if I adopted a child or was adopted from a foreign country?
You can upload a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration document that shows the name of the person who was adopted and the date of the adoption.
What if I don't have any of these documents?
You can submit a letter explaining the adoption, foster care placement, or court order, and the reason you can’t provide documents. Use this form and fill out the "Adoption, Foster Care Placement, or Court Order" section. When you complete the form, select "Letter of explanation" from the drop-down menu when you're on the upload documents screen in the application.