The story of our 171H

When we first decided to adopt from China (look at the counter on the lower right near the bottom to see how long ago), we had to apply for a special document from homeland security. The document was the 171H which is the advance processing form from the USA of an orphan from another country. It included having our fingerprints done here as well. OK.... fast forward to deciding to adopt from Taiwan. We used our NY agency's social worker to write our Taiwan homestudy. She tells us we need to switch our
171H from China, to Taiwan. So we apply to do this, I ask does this include the extention because you only have 18 months before this form expires. She says the transfer will take care of that. Then I read on our JOH board that we should check and make sure the 171H arrived at the proper office in Taiwan. So after about 10 emails through various countries we find out that our 171H EXPIRED. OH MY GOD>.... I really blew a gasket at our NY agency... We had to shell out another $600 + in fees and get a few things notarized and copied again. THE CRAZINESSS NEVER ENDS.

However today I recieved our new 171H..... which doesnt expire until 2010... but our fingerprints expire on April 9 2009.... Yes for those of you that have never had the privilege to adopt.... your fingerprints actually expire... The guy at our USCIS office is like a friend. I just hope we dont have to go back for the 3rd time... which means we hope we travel to Taiwan befor April 9, 2009 or else we have to reprint and repay.