IT HAS BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!!!!
where? let's just say that it never left the island. yup- my husband evidently forgot this vital document when he came to the states!

No wonder i don't remember seeing it!

anyway, it has been found and secured by a family member who coincidentally travelled to the states this weekend and should be in the mail as i type. woo hoo!!!!!!! i didn't even ask the details because i was so excited. all i know is that the document has been in the same place for the last 4 years. wow.
so, the second it arrives in the mail, i'll be doing a happy dance and making copies to send one where it needs to go. can you tell that I am much less

right now?
thank you all so much for your thoughts and words and advice. everything is greatly, greatly appreciated.