Sunday, November 11, 2007

To renew or not to renew?

With everything going so smoothly with Zane, we have to take a moment to focus on Mia Jade. Our all important 171H, the document from Homeland Security that says we can bring an orphan to the US, is about to expire - in January technically. Our agency says to start now if we want to renew it. The government has allowed one free renewal of the almost $700 application. But the problem is even our agency doesn't think we will get Mia within the 18 month time frame of the new form. The problem with the "free" renewal is that all the supporting documents are not free. So do we spend the money to get a free renewal that won't do us any good (probably) or let it expire and start all over when we know it will be the document that we really need? Either way will cost a lot more money! It's very frustrating to know what to do. But as I said, everything is great with Zane. We count our blessings evey day! We won't let this 171H thing get us too down!

4 comments:

E. said...

Are you out of review? Will not having it hold anything up? I say hold on to the cash. Better yet, buy yourself something nice; you were going to have to part with the cash twice anyway. :)
Hope motherhood is fantastic!!!

Anonymous said...

We have the same LID as you and decided against renewing. Our homestudy agency charges are quite high. We're planning on more than 18 month wait at this point, so we'll take our chances and not renew.

Congrats on your beautiful baby boy!

Michele in NC

Middle-Aged Moi said...

I wish you all the best as you make this decision, Kelly.

Forty and Fabulous said...

What a tough decision....will this stop all the other paperwork and the investment all together? Can you just wait until next year to reapply...if that is what you want to do. You are in my prayers.
Love, Britt