Our current/second I-171H approval is set to expire November 2008. That important document must be current while traveling in China. Our fingerprint clearances must be current as well. So, I have diligently gathered a third set of the same documents for the renewal of our US approval to adopt internationally.
When I filed our second application for approval in March 2007, we had to $pay$ for it again. {Remember when I had to jump through hoops and get my name changed in order to complete the approval process?} I was pretty ticked at having to pay a second time because the Dept of Homeland Security had just issued a "one time FREE renewal" policy but it hadn't take effect in time for us to utilize it. Of course we never dreamed that the second approval would expire before we had Chelsee home! But since it will expire before we get her, it turns out that our timing on the second approval really has worked for us (and for only a few others with our same timing). Because this time, we were able to take advantage of the one time FREE renewal of our I-171H and more importantly, we were able to file the same application forms to do this as we did the two previous times!!! Other families behind us must now switch over to the more restrictive, more intensive and possibly deal breaking Hague Convention application form. That new application for approval has stricter guidelines like getting police and abuse clearances from every state you have ever lived in. That application also requires medical clearances that alot of people will have a hard time passing. It is so sad that some families that have already been approved and have waited 2+ years will no longer qualify for international adoption under the Hague Convention. I am hoping laws will be passed so they can be grandfathered in.
But for us, we are thankful that we are just waiting on this last approval under the old guidelines. Al and I took a third trip to Charleston on Sept 22, 2008. We had a 12n appointment; we arrived at 1115a and were out of there in 20 minutes! Sooo unlike the last time we were there! And get this, my name appeared on the fingerprint data base screen as Karen Lee married last name (not again?) and I informed the officer that I have had my name changed to match my driver's license, social security card, passport, marriage license, etc etc. He was holding my driver's license as I was saying this and he looked at it and said "Oh, then I will just use this name on your driver's license." What the? He proceeded to just type over my wrong name and just typed in the "new" one!!!!!! Why the heck couldn't they have done this the first time???? Kinda scary that these people are in charge of our Homeland Security!!
We also had to have a home study update for this application. Our social worker made a trip to Hilton Head on Sept 11 for a quick visit. It was nice to see her again. I know she is so ready for us to get Chelsee!
As much as I dread doing even one more piece of paperwork, I am happy that (so far) this one has gone well. Can't wait to have that approval in my hands!!!
On to more referrals....we are getting so close!
UPDATE: We received the renewed I-171H on Oct 2, 2008! Yahooo!! It worked!!
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