Alphabet Soup of Adoption

The adoption process is full of abbreviations and acronyms with which you might be unfamiliar. We have created a cheat sheet to help you navigate adoption alphabet soup.

AAAA	American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
AILA	American Immigration Lawyers Association
AP	Adoptive Parent
ASFA	Adoption and Safe Families Act
ASP	Adoption Service Provider
CA	Central Authority
CCA	Child Citizenship Act
COA	Council on Accreditation
COC	Certificate of Citizenship
COO	Country of Origin
DCF	Department of Children and Families
DHS	Department of Homeland Security
DOS	Department of State
FAC	Florida Administrative Code
FAC	Florida Adoption Council
FARR	Florida Adoption Reunion Registry
HHS	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
I-290B	Notice of Appeal or Motion
I-130	Petition for Alien Relative
I-600	Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
I-800	Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative
IAAME	The Intercounty Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity
ICPC	Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
IH-2	Visa for a child adopted domestically overseas in a Hague country and classified as an immediate relative of a US citizen
IH-3	Visa for child whose adoption was finalized in his Hague country of origin (COO) where at least one parent met the child before or during the adoption process
IH-4	Visa for child from a Hague country of origin (COO) who is coming to the US to be adopted
IR-2	Visa for a child adopted domestically overseas in a non-Hague country and classified as an immediate relative of a US citizen
IR-3	Visa issued when a full and final adoption is completed abroad in a non-Hague country when at least one parent has met the child before or during the adoption process
IR-4	Visa for child from a non-Hague country of origin (COO) who is coming to the US to be adopted
IRS	Internal Revenue Service
JCICS	Joint Council of International Children’s Services – child advocacy organization, now defunct
LPR	Lawful Permanent Resident
N-400	Application for Naturalization
N-600	Application for Certificate of Citizenship
NACAC	The North American Council on Adoptable
NARF	Native Rights Fund
NBC	National Benefits Center
NCFA	National Council for Adoption
NOA	Notice of Appeal or Notice of Appearance
NOID	Notice of Intent to Deny
NOIR	Notice of Intent to Revoke
NVC	National Visa Center
PACA	Post Adoption Communication Agreement
RFE	Request for Evidence
SSI	Social Securtiy Income
TPR	Termination of Parental Rights
USCIS	U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services