Our fingerprint clearance expires at the end of June, so I just mailed off a request for us to be re-fingerprinted. At least this time it should be free, which saves us $160. When we got re-printed the second time around and renewed our I-171H, it was right before they started giving one freebie renewal.
I still can't figure out why they need to re-print us instead of just running the prints we already have on file. I understand why the clearance expires...I guess they need to be sure we haven't turned into homicidal maniacs over the past 18 months. Actually, this wait can flip a person out a bit. ;)
Our homestudy expires in early November, so we'll need to get started on renewing that. Unfortunately, this is NOT free. Our homestudy agency (different from our adoption agency) really makes out on these renewals...they charge $600!! Can you believe that? Had we known that there might be paperwork to renew during this process, we would have shopped around for this service. Our I-171H expires on March 10, 2009, and it needs to be in effect during travel and until we get back home with Lauren. Once it gets a little bit closer, we'll decide if we need to renew this or now. I'm curious what my waiting bloggy friends are doing about this. Does anyone else have a Feb LID with an I-171H expiring in March?
9 comments:
The whole timing thing is ridiculous! When we did our first 2 adoptions the I171H and the fingerprints expired at the same time. Then they changed it. It makes no sense for them to expire at different times! And I agree with you that your fingerprints DON'T change! Just more hoops to jump through! It's all worth it in the end though! :)
~Lynn
I know we are in the process of updating our fingerprints... Had to have Nick done this time..So we are waiting for his to get back.. then we can do ours and then have to do our homestudy update... Which is $375.00 , can't believe yours is $600.... WOW.. It is like they want more money for no more work.. they probably just put a new date on it..
but we will have our little baby girls in the end..
HUGS..
It is ironic that you are talking about expiration dates. There is a lot of discussion on this on RQ forum. Seems that the USCIS may not give us the second renewal of the I171H for free. The USCIS may require us to now file the I800. I hope not because the I800 requires child abuse clearances from every state and country you have lived in since the age of 18. And for me, that is many. My fingerprints expire in mid August 2008 and my I171H expires in mid November 2008. My LID is 2/06/06, so hopefully we will complete travel by mid November. I just sent the $150 required for our home study update last week. This process is just getting more frustrating. By the way, if you don't mind sharing, what did you say in your cover letter to get the free prints? My email is lisamlibby@hotmail.com. Thanks and good luck!
Did I just notice the new layout? It's beautiful as usual. I still dream about the peachy-orange and blue one! Just sent in my I 600 thingie too.
You'll (we'll) be home by March! I'm sure of it
Eli
LID 2/17/06
I was surfing around the China adoption blogs and found your blog and wanted to say hi! I wanted to send some encouragement your way with the wait. :o)
Wow, we didn't pay for the homestudy or fingerprint renewals. Maybe they will give you a break this time.
Our paperwork expires in Nov - I've got everything crossed that we don't need to renew it!!!
"Until we get back home with Lauren."... those words are sending chills up and down my spine! I know you must be excited, too, and I can't believe I'm going to have a cousin so soon! After 2 years of waiting, I can't believe it's finally happening!
-Emily
A Waiting Cousin
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