"Case Was Received" on your I-600: what it means and what's next

WHICH STEP ARE YOU ON?

Receipt notice · here

Review by an officer

Request for evidence (if needed)

Decision

Case sent to the National Visa Center or consulate (if abroad)

What to do, in 4 steps

Save your receipt notice (Form I-797C) in a safe place.

Check that your name, birth date and address on the notice are correct.

Look up current processing times for your form and office.

Keep your mailing address up to date with USCIS.

34months

28 to 34 monthsTypical time for a complete I-600. USCIS published times. Typical ranges, never an exact date.

In this statusThis status can last from a few weeks to many months, depending on the form and office.

What it means for your I-600

USCIS has your I-600, the petition to classify a specific child from a non-Hague country as an orphan who can immigrate as your immediate relative. If you filed after an approved I-600A, USCIS will rely on that suitability finding and focus on the child's orphan status and the adoption or custody papers.

In general, on any form:

USCIS received your application or petition and gave it a receipt number. This is the first status almost everyone sees. It does not mean anyone has reviewed your case yet. It is normal for the status to stay here for weeks or months.

Avoid these mistakes

Thinking the case is stuck because the status does not change for weeks.

Moving without filing a change of address (Form AR-11).

Losing the receipt notice and the receipt number.

Quick questions

What does "Case Was Received" mean on an I-600?

Does 'Case Was Received' mean my case is approved?

No. It only means USCIS has your application and opened a file for it.

Why has my status said 'Case Was Received' for months?

Many cases sit in a queue before an officer reviews them. Compare your wait with the published processing times before worrying.

What is the receipt number?

It is a 13-character code, like IOE1234567890, printed on your receipt notice. You use it to check your status online.

How long does an I-600 take?

The typical range published by USCIS is 28 to 34 months. It depends on the office and your case; it is not an exact date.

I will alert you when it changesEmail and browser notifications · no ads

Turn on alerts

Other statuses of your I-600

Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was SentIntake Case Rejected Because I Sent An Incorrect FeeIntake Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was EmailedIntake Case Accepted By The USCIS LockboxIntake Fees Were WaivedIntake Case Was Rejected Because It Was Improperly FiledIntake Fingerprint Fee Was ReceivedBiometrics Fingerprint Review Was CompletedBiometrics Biometrics Appointment Was ScheduledBiometrics

Every status of an I-600 →

This same status on other forms

I-485Green card from inside the U.S.Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status I-130Petition for a family memberPetition for Alien Relative I-765Work permit (EAD)Application for Employment Authorization N-400Become a U.S. citizenApplication for Naturalization I-131Travel permit or reentry permitApplication for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records I-751Remove conditions on 2-year green cardPetition to Remove Conditions on Residence I-90Renew or replace green cardApplication to Replace Permanent Resident Card I-129FK-1 fiancé(e) visa petitionPetition for Alien Fiancé(e)I-140Employment-based green card petitionImmigrant Petition for Alien Workers

AI-assisted explanation based on the official USCIS status, reviewed by CaseAlerta. Not legal advice. Times are typical ranges, never an exact date.

“Case Was Received”on your I-600 · Non-Hague orphan adoption petition