[nancy_tan]

Hi,
We were noticed that we need to renew our I-171, can anybody share the experience of doing it?
1) Do I need to collect all docs (bank's, empolyer's, police's, doctor's...) again to file a new I-600A?
2) Does the social worker need to redo the home study?
3) How long does it take for the new approval?
3) How much does it cost roughly?

I am living in SJ, California.

Thanks

Nancy

[mom3boys]

1.There are some documents that you will need to collect again. I believe they needed our birth and marriage certificates. You will also need new copies of court documents if either of you have ever had an arrest. I can't think of anything else.
2. Yes, the social worker needs to provide an updated copy of the homestudy. In our state the homestudy must be sent with the application.
3. The length of time for approval varies by state. We renewed last winter and it took about a month, we live in MA.
4. The cost will depend on whether you have yet to receive your one free renewal. If you haven't, then this one is free. The difficulty comes if you have already used your one free renewal. There is alot of talk that after the free renewal that everyone will have to switch to the more complcated I800A form. Most agencies are saying this is the case, however, my agency still insists that we can file the I600A indefinitely as long as we don't ever let it expire.
I hope that helps!
Marjorie

[KarenInCa]

We just got thru doing this. We had to submit the I600A again, and added a postit stating that this is just a renewal. When the CIS officer stamps it in, she will then send us back notice that she received it, but that other things need to be renewed as well. Our agency advised us that we have much more time to do the rest of it for the I700-H completion, but the main thing is to get the I600-A redone before the expiration date of the first I700-H (which is 18 months, to the day, from the first approval date.
The first renewal is free. but of course, the rest of the info such as the updated homestudy costs. Nothing needs to be notarized for the updates though.

[nancy_tan]

Thank you very much!

[nancy_tan]

Our I171-H will be expired on 12/18/2008, and the adoption agency told us that we can start to work on the renew 3 month before the expiration date.

[richard p.]

You also need to make sure your fingerprints do not expire as well. I beleive every state is a little different so your Agency should be able to tell you what is needed.In New Jersey we needed a home study update and I 600. The renewal was a little quicker than the original 171.

[Mcclay]

Hello,

I too live in California, were I live you have a year to true in all documents once the I600 is filed. You must have the appplication in before your current 171H expires. So again check with your local CIS office to be sure this is the case for you. But documents can be turned in post i600 application. It is important to know that the the fingerprints need to be done atleast a few months before the application expires, that is the only document out of your control if you know what I mean. Free free to PM me if you have questions.

Rod

[KarenInCa]

Hi Nancy,

From what I gather, we do not need to have new physical or homestudy unless changes have happened since the last one. In our case, we moved, so we will need updates on the homestudy.
As was Rod, we were also told that we will have an additional 12 months to complete the rest of the stuff. We're going to take the full amount of time possible so that we can extend the life of the second approval.

Rod, we were told that the fingerprints need to be redone, but not told that the finger prints necessarily need to be done before the first 171H expires. You sure about that?

[Mcclay]

Hi again,

As for the fingerprints they need to be done before the 2nd I600a application expires. I think you miss understoood what I was trying say. You do not have to have your updated fingerprints done before your current 171H expires, again you need to be printed before the new application expires. Also, it would be a good idea to have this done a couple months before you finalize your new I600a application, to give them time to process the prints.

Also, you might have to do what is called a home study update. CIS will what to see this. Not sure about your case, but we had to do the physical and financial and employment letters all over again. If you have any chances such as a move you will mostly have to have a visit from your SW. We did not have any major changes but did meet once with our SW just to touch bases for the HS update. ANyways, I hope this cleared up what I was tryting to say from the last post. We are also trying to extend the life of our 2nd I600a application. I am holding off on the fingerprints until March of 09 and the turn in our HS update and complete our fine a month before the our application expires early May 09. This should give us a valid 171H that will expire in Aug-Sep 2010. Hope will will have a baby by then.

Take Care

Rod

[KarenInCa]

Thanks Rod.
I hope the stalling on the rest helps too.