[wannabamom]

Hi,

Does anyone know what to do if your I600 A expires before you bring the child home???????? Does everything from Home-Study, etc....... have to be done from the beginning once again ?????? How long does this take ??????? and what does it cost??????



Thanks,

[sak9645]

Be aware that quite a few documents may have to be redone before you bring your child home.

First off, homestudies are regulated by individual states. Some states have ruled that a homestudy expires in one year, and must be redone if an adoption isn't completed by then. Others allow a longer period before expiration. And, of course, all states also require a homestudy update if anything substantive changes in your situation -- for example, marriage, divorce, serious physical illness, diagnosed mental illness, diagnosed substance abuse, new job, loss of job, new person residing in the home, new baby (bio or adopted), etc. Check with your homestudy agency to see what your state requires.

The fingerprints for your I-600A expire 15 months after they have been done, if you haven't brought home a child by then. And the I-600A, itself, expires in 18 months, and must be resubmitted. Talk to the USCIS and your homestudy agency about what must be submitted with it.

Depending on your country of choice, some of the documents in your dossier may also have expiration dates. While some countries "stop the clock" once they have received your dossier, others may insist on things like new physical exam forms and new employment letters. Your placement agency can tell you the requirements of your country of choice.

Sharon

[wannabamom]

I am going to contact my agency.