It's That Time Again...

Well, it’s that time again… to refile in order to receive our I-171H form (Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition). This is going to be our THIRD time doing this. I just hope that three times is the charm!!

So, what does that mean? Well, you submit the I-600A (Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition), along with a home study (prepared by our social worker, who also needs all of our police clearances and letters from our doctors stating that we’re still fit to adopt a child), 2 checks, and you get fingerprinted. After USCIS looks at (1) your application, (2) your adoption home study report, and (3) your fingerprint results, they issue your I-171H, which says (in essence): you’re okay with us. The I-171H does not approve you for the adoption of a particular child. There are other forms that are submitted on behalf of the child you’re trying to adopt.

Note: the I-171H is only valid for 18-months and our fingerprints are only valid for 15-months. So hopefully we won't be doing this again in another 18 months. YUCK!!