Monday? Maybe?
First, before I get to referrals: One agency says that TA’s left Friday from the CCAA. I’m hoping to get some confirmation on this from other agencies.
Okay, as for referrals:
- I haven’t seen that any agencies have confirmed they will for sure get their package today. Several are saying they expect them Friday or Monday.
- Several agencies have confirmed that they will for sure get their package Monday. One notes that they can’t be sure what’s in it until they open it, but that they believe referrals are in it.
- The European-agency-that-is-usually-right said they were mailed Wednesday, but many of the U.S. agencies are saying they were mailed Thursday.
All of this tells me that we may not see referrals until Monday. Yes, the European-agency-that-is-usually-right (can I just say EATIUR?) said they were mailed Wednesday, but most everyone else is saying Thursday.
July 28th, 2006 at 8:22 am
and still no update on the ccaa page? do we find this strange, even hopeful, at all? sadly, i think i do…..hoping they will surpise us all with something nice for a change. wow, this sounds like such a sad start to the day, think i need more coffee.
July 28th, 2006 at 8:28 am
Friday 1025PM here in Australia, which means its 8.25PM Friday in China and there has been no update to the CCAA page. Lets hope this is a good sign that they’ll surprise everyone by maybe a Sunday afternoon update….they’ve done this before. Even better Saturday…….
July 28th, 2006 at 8:52 am
RQ,
I saw in the forum that Peppy expects an August referral with a LID 7-22 because she heard she was already matched. Do we know her agency’s last log in date for July? Do they have other July LIDs. I am curious if people beyond this date might also be matched already. If 7-22 is her agencies last LID for July I would be hopeful thta August will be a good month.
July 28th, 2006 at 8:55 am
maybe CCAA hasnt updated site cause they will have another batch really soon with later July LIDs. maybe update the site to reflect those dates.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:01 am
As I keep saying - in February they didn’t update the site until after people already had their referral call and pictures emailed to them.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:06 am
Is anyone allowed to say which agencies have talked about referrals on the way? I’m still finding this hard to believe (although I want to believe it since our LID was 7/12) b/c our agency still knows nothing about it.
Amber
July 28th, 2006 at 9:11 am
I think I’ve asked this before, but the only responder was from my agency. I know that our agency has received TA’s via fax for years. The TA’s are sitting on the fax machine when they get to work in the morning. You guys talk as if yours are sent via DHL. I’m just really curious to see if ours is really different than the other agencies.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:15 am
Cat-
Can you clarify in your above post “matched” ?
If they are just now getting “matched” then what was the all the waiting for to get to-in-out of the “matching room”?
Confused,
July 28th, 2006 at 9:20 am
china030507,
We have used 2 agencies. Our large, multi-country pioneering agency receives notice of TAs via fax, then notifies families, then sends the hard copies of TAs to families as soon as they get them. Our very small, multi-country agency receives notice of TAs via email directly from CCAA, then notifies families, then sends the hard copies of TAs to families as soon as they get them. Both agencies were wonderful to work with.
I don’t know why there is the fax vs. email route, but maybe it’s up to individual agencies’ preferences.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:26 am
Commonstork,
One person in the forum section has maintained that according to hern agency she has already been matched by CCAA. I tend to believe she is correct and that all those agencies that gave out incorreect info about being in the next batch stems from this. I do think that the CCAA has matched more than has been sent. That is why I am curious what her agency’s last July LID is. I am trying to guess how much beyond the cutoff mighyt already be matched. As I mentioned a couple days ago I think we might see an early August or even an extra August batch this time. I been up this road before and received my lat referral one week after a earlier batch of referrals. That is my guess/hope of what will happen next.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Cat - while I have a hope for that too, I just want to be careful that we don’t inadvertently start any rumors.
So, just to be clear: We have no rumors saying they are going to do that, but there are a lot of us hoping for it.
(sorry, but I can just see this one building steam - LOL)
July 28th, 2006 at 9:32 am
COmmon stork,
I guess to better answer your question, I mean this person thinks they are matched/done, ready to go and be sent out. They think that some referrals were left out of this batch, to be sent out later with a different batch of refferals(August).
July 28th, 2006 at 9:40 am
I hope that the families waiting for their TA’s get their approval soon. As for the referrals, my agency does have it posted on their website 7/13 as the cut off date. (sigh).
July 28th, 2006 at 9:40 am
RQ,
I hear ya. I do so hope though we willl be pleasantly surprised. My hopes are definately from gut, no facts needed kind of feeling. I would love to see some rumors support my gut theory, but would’nt want to get anyones hopes up based on just this. I going to try to stay hopeful myself at least till the end of August. I’ve lived with dissapointment for so many months now, what’s one more? Thanks though for always keeping us level headed.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:40 am
But why would they match that far out and not send them? I mean, it seems like if ‘peppy’ was matched with a 7/22 LID then 7/14-7/21 should all be matched. Why on earth would they want to hold them back?
July 28th, 2006 at 9:43 am
Looney tunes,
Good question but who can know how the minds at the CCAA work. Wish we did though.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:49 am
True, very true. If we knew how their minds work wouldn’t that be the Golden Ticket!
Anyway, I like your idea of an extra referral batch. But then, who wouldn’t, right? I’m just so ready to get off this roller coaster!
July 28th, 2006 at 9:50 am
Thanks postfarm. So both of your agencies also use almost immediate notification, vs. waiting on the physical delivery of the TA. It seems like some agencies do wait on the physical delivery (based on others’ posts) I like that immediate notification! I don’t think that our agency sends us the hard copy. I think that BLAS holds on to that and has it for us when we need it in China. Not 100% sure on that though. (You’d think I’d remember after two adoptions, but by that time my mind was on more exciting things!)
July 28th, 2006 at 9:59 am
Hey All
I really hope that the CCAA is holding off so that they can get a few more done but maybe the web master is off on vacation or sick??? sorry, not a happy thought.
I was here until 6pm and in at 6am doing staff reviews and am in need of my second coffee…..
hope for the best!
July 28th, 2006 at 10:04 am
looney tunes,
one possible expaination is that they did not match all persons with that LID. CCAA sends out only completed dates of LIDS and maybe they did only a few agencies LIDS tiil the end of July and are still working on the rest. Just my 2 cents…
July 28th, 2006 at 10:11 am
LooneyTunes32
This has no factual basis, but I believe I am already matched with my daughter (LID 7-20-05). July 11-13 I felt a very strong urgency that it was happening. I paced the floor and could think of nothing else. I’ve been expecting that because of my date I would receive my referral at the end of August, but I think my file is matched. I don’t know if this will make sense or not, but because of the way they match groups to babies I think they may have gotten past the 13th but did not get to everyone. For example they got to some 7/20 people before the move but didn’t get to every agency for that date, therefore they didn’t send any because they won’t break up LID’s and send them to some agencies but not to others.
July 28th, 2006 at 10:13 am
Yea, chinalotus, that could be. I just think it’s strange that this one is well over a week from the cutoff. I could see maybe a few days. It doesn’t seem like they would want to get one or two agencies that far ahead of the others. I don’t know though. As Cat said, who really knows how the minds of the CCAA really work?
July 28th, 2006 at 10:14 am
I’m curious why they send anything out in paper format at all. Technologically, even the fax is almost a dinosaur. Why don’t they just scan everything and send each referral as a PDF? It would be much quicker, there would be no DHL/FedX mishaps, and agencies could notify families with a click of the button.
July 28th, 2006 at 10:15 am
cherryblossombaby your post hit while I was typing up mine. I wonder if they give you documentation on when your match was made. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see if you really were matched then? Sixth Sense can be very powerful.
July 28th, 2006 at 10:15 am
Is there any precedent for them only matching a few agencies? This would be pretty crummy, even if it is practical or pragmatic.
July 28th, 2006 at 11:16 am
ChinaLotus-
I am sure it was a spelling error but your word “expaination” was amazingly pertinent!!!!
Laureen
LID 8/30 and hoping against hope for an October referral
http://www.babysites.com/sites/laureenmary
July 28th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Hi RQ,
Just wanted to get your thoughts on referral timing for August. If “July” isn’t posted until July 31st (or even later in the week which would actually make it “August”) do we think that we will actually see another batch of referrals in “August” or will that batch become “September”?
I know that the the past few months they have changed the CCAA website info around the 24th of the month which is obviously not what has happened this month.
I recall that one rumor was that “August” referrals might only get to LIDJuly 24th, which would sure suck for us with a LID of July 25. Unfortunately, with that scenario I must start thinking about the good old I-171H expiration again….if the middle July LIDs are referred in Sept. and then the end of July LID’s are in October we would sure be cutting our travel close to our 18 months expiration date.
I know it is rumor and speculation….I’m guess I’m just trying to get mentally prepared for worst case scenarios…
Thanks.
July 28th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Hey, can anybody give me a quick rundown of what has to be done to get a new I-171H? Do you really have to “start over” with your paperwork, medicals, bloodwork, etc. And about what does it cost? I’ve heard everything from $2000-3500! Yikes!
July 28th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Waiting for Jade,
Hi. We have a 7/27 LID and our paperwork expires the second week of Oct. We have sent in everything for our I171 to be extended or redone whatever they call it. Not sure if that helps you but at this point I know some of the offices take longer than others and our agency didn’t want us to wait until we were really close to the exp. date to deal with hit.
Better safe than sorry I figure at this point since we really know nothing.
CC
July 28th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
our large china only agency says they wait for paper TA’s before they contact us…….bigger is not always better i guess..in regards to agencies
July 28th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
yes, could someone please clarify the cost of re-doing everything - why is it $2,000 and up?? I know the home study will be around $600, and I-17H - I am not sure of the re-do fee.
Any info would help. With a 12/05 LID, we have to re-do our home study in Sept. and prints in Dec.
This frustration I feel at this point is indescribable If only the CCAA knew what they were doing to us!!!
July 28th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
From what I understand, how much you are going to have to pay is really going to depend on if you need to redo your homestudy or not. For some states, the homestudy if valid for only a year; for others it is longer. If your read the CIS instructions for applying, they tell you exactly what they need. I do not believe that the cost is different from the first time you apply. I think any additional cost comes in when/if you have to redo your homestudy.
If anyone understands this differently than I do, please let me know.
July 28th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Waiting for Hannah -
For the I 171H fee there is not a “redo” fee… it’s more like a “starting over from scratch” fee - you have to pay the original fee (again) plus fingerprint fees & redoing the homestudy (which varies from agency to agency) So for lots of people, the cost of this could escalate very quickly. I’m with you on the frustration fee.. my LID is 12/14/05 and I’m already at my wits end.. can’t imagine what the next few months are going to be like. Hang in there!
July 28th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Thanks Cat.
:)
July 28th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
re the I 171H issues…we are in California, so I do not know if this applies, but, we have already re-done our I-600A finger prints ( just shy of $300). Our agency said that as far as the home study it would probably be a one time “change of circumstance” interview that could most likely be done on the phone, so, maybe $300. We would have to pay the I-171H fee again, which is close to $600. Our agency kept all the originals of our birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. and sent certified copies as needed, so, we do not have to re-do all that stuff. I assume we would have to re-do our financial documents for the homestudy update. Not sure if we have to update dr reports, etc. So, maybe a bunch of notary fees + the above, so all together maybe $1500??? Am I forgetting comething?
Where are the donuts?????? (i’m not a drinker so i can’t join in with the wine and vodka talk of the past week….)
July 28th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
We paid earlier this year to redo the home study. Massachusetts can’t be over a year. So that was I think $600 don’t remember. The fingerprints had to be redone so that was another $140 and then to send in for the new I-600 was $540. Our medical covered another physical within the year but not sure all would so that could be an extra cost.
CC
July 28th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
Someone on DTC July 2005 Yahoo group just posted that their agency received referrals today!!
July 28th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
Someone on my medium-sized China only yahoo group just announced nsn TA!
July 28th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
My large China-only agency has said since Wed they are in the mail, and they expect to get them (NSN referrals) today.
July 28th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 28th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Re 171 redo-
Yes, it does indeed depend on the state. Florida requires a complete homestudy redo. (In previous years, it allowed for a simple update.)
The homestudy can cost another $1400 or more, depending on your agency. For the homestudy to be redone, necessitates new police clearances, bloodwork, physicals, employment records, income verifications, etc…. (more money!)
Then, the redone homestudy must be submitted with fingerprints (more money)and a new USCIS application (more money). It easily can run over $2000.
Some states are lucky and can do just an update. Luckly them!!!
With an 8/30 LID and a 2/1/07 171 expiration, I am still hoping I won’t have to redo the whole thing. I WILL have to redo my fingerprints which expire in October. I am fine with that.
July 28th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
Does anyone know how to find out what states require a complete redo and what states require only an update of the Homestudy? I’ve searched all over the Internet and can’t find the info.
My homestudy is way over a year old and I called my SW to do an update. She said she’d write it, I sent her some new info, and I’m waiting to hear from my agency if they got it. But they never told me I might need to redo the entire thing.
Any info is appreciated. Thanks!
*And soooo happy TAs and REFERRALS!!!! are arriving! Woo hoo!*
LID June 29 and waiting impatiently!
July 28th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
NOvary:
Just updated our HS yesterday. From what I can see, China does not need a whole redo of a HS, most states need an update done after one year, for renewing the I 171-H it only says that they require an up to date HS - so I am taking that as one that is updated. I am going for refinger printing next month and am going to ask at the USCIS office.
Hope this helps.
July 28th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
NOvary:
go to http://www.uscis.gov and click on immigration forms, fees and fingerprinting - from there you can look up the I 600-A and it will then direct you to key in what state you are from, then you be able to e-mail your local office any questions. I don’t think a whole redo is needed if your only looking to submit it with your I 171-H renewal. If your social worker says an update is fine then I wouldn’t worry abou it.
July 28th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Thanks, Sebago girl, for the info. I’m not looking to redo my I-171H form just yet–I expect a referral Mon. and mine expires Oct 20, so I think I’ll be okay. I’m just looking to update the HS because I guess you still have to do that if it has expired, even if you aren’t redoing the I-171H.
July 28th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
So if one agency received referrals today, won’t all USA agencies receive them?
July 28th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Also, for those of you who have BTDT - do BOTH parents have to sign the acceptance letter, or can just one sign. It’s complicated why I’m even asking this, but I need to know and can’t get through to my family coordinator. Maybe she’s busy reviewing referrals?
July 28th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
NOvary-
As Sebagogirl indicated, the homestudy redo has nothing to do with China..it’s the USCIS. To renew the 171-H, they require a new 171- form, fingerprints and the homestudy. It’s this last part that varies state to state.
Ironically, here is Florida, the homestudies are valid for only a year BUT…. if the 171H does not expires, the homestudy can be left undone..EVEN if expired. Mine expired in June. My 171.. not until next February. I am waiting to see before dishing out the extra moolah!
July 28th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
We have to do a home study update here in Maryland. Our homestudy update will cost $600, the finger prints $140, and the 171H, I think, is $675 now. That is a hefty amount that I could spend on fun money for my daughter (instead of giving it to the government). I am pulling for the extension.
July 28th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
mom2isabel—thanks for clearing up the FL thing…was kind of curious since we are in FL…we are waiting for TA and our 171 does not expire til Nov., but I was wondering about the homestudy…..we did need to do an update cuz hubby changed jobs, but since my SW COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY ROCKS, she did not charge us a cent!!! save the $$ i am sure you will need it, i know we don’t have to lay out for another 171 so we can easily afford the extra week at the white swan—-YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!
July 28th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
mom2isabel - I’m pretty sure the FL homestudy is good for 18 months. At least that’s what my SW said. I guess I need to double check!
July 28th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
An update to our homestudy will cost $350.00, the application fee for your I-171H is $545.00 and to have your fingerprints re-taken is $70.00 per person. This is what our agency told us. We are a 11/23 lid and the 171H does not expire until 4/07 for us but our homestudy has to be updated after 12 months in NY so we will have to do that 9/06.
I really hope that we do not have to redo the 171H because that would be 17 month wait for us~!
July 28th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
glassmaker-
I would check. I know mine was only for 12. Please let me know, I’ll kick some butt if I was ripped off six months but my Florida agency and social worker both confirmed this.
Dunedin- I want your ROCKIN’ SW next time. :-)
So glad to know there are other Floridians in the loop. Either of you in north FL?
July 28th, 2006 at 6:50 pm
We are in Dunedin (Clearwater) You can use my kick-butt SW next time….she does all of FL I believe…………..I was going to use the SW the agency heavily promotes…..but at a meeting, someone told me about Bonnie (the rockin’ one) so we went that way and have been MORE than pleased.
July 28th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
I’m in Central Fl, my I-171H is through Orlando. Each USCIS office has their own requirements. My SW said the homestudy does not expire, but if we have to do the I-171H over, it will require her to update my homestudy. I will also need to do new empl. verification forms, doctor letter, & child abuse clearance. Miami requires less.
July 28th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
Grrrrrrrrr! So, now the differences are not only by state but by USCIS office within the state! Just when I think the insanity cannot get any crazier. Stop this Tilt-A-Whirl…I want to get off!!!!
July 30th, 2006 at 3:45 am
Will the TA’s that left happen to have any SN’s or are they all NSN?
July 31st, 2006 at 4:14 am
It’s 10 AM CET and no update on the CCAA website…