I got a call today from my PA Agency that my Dossier and Approval (I171H) have been apostilled and is now on its way to Russia! Great news to hear - and that only took them 2 days! There it will be translated and then I wait for a referral!
My PA Agency said she still thinks it will be closer to fall before I will get a referral...so I will just pray I will have her home before Christmas! Boy that will be a great Christmas present!
The picture below is Mom and I at the INS when we picked up the approval notice...can you tell I was excited!
I HAVE MY APPROVAL!!!!!!
I went to the INS - they asked Mom some very basic questions...what is your name...where were you born...blah...blah...blah... THEN...he handed me my envelope...and there it was my I-171H "NOTICE OF FAVORABLE DETERMINATION CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR ADVANCE PROCESSING OF ORPHAN PETITION"
I have to say it was the most exciting moment so far...I could not stop smiling!!!
So I went to post office and sent it priority mail so they will get Monday. It will be sent off for apostilled with the dossier (should take a day or two) then they will send it to RUSSIA for translation!!!!!
I should get a referral anytime after that through Fall...Fall being worse case scenario....
Today has been a GREAT DAY!! (I even got ice cream to celebrate!!!!)
Yesterday I finally heard from INS! She sent me an email to say the letter has been sent out to request for me to go to INS office. I called Mom and she had just got the letter and when she read it, it only requested me and it did not say why...so after a few emails back and forth with INS - she indicated Mom and I are scheduled to meet with Ms Bone' at INS on Friday, April 25th at 11:00am. I believe Mom will have to "Swear In" and I think that is it...She also indicated that "if possible, the approval notice would be given at that time" I was SO EXCITED!I called my PA Agency and they said as soon as they get the approval, they will have the complete dossier apostilled and then it will go to Russia for translation(that will take about 2 weeks) and said that my wait time for my girl will start when they receive the approval. Whew! I asked when she would expect me to have a referral and she said by fall (and she said that would be worse scenario...but wanted to give me the more conservative guess) She said alot of people want a girl and the wait (as I knew) would be longer than if I wanted a boy. She also said they are very choosy and do not just take the first girl available...So say a prayer for Mom and I as we go visit INS. I will keep you posted on the outcome!
