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Just Curious How Many People File On Their Own

By C and Lore in General Polls

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Did you, or do you intend to file on your own?  

150 members have voted

  1. 1. How did you file or plan to file?


32 posts in this topic

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C and Lore Explorer

C and Lore   3

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Argentina
 Timeline
Posted

I'm just curious if many people file on their own or with a lawyer. Any additonal insights would be helpful!

[11/01/2010] MAILED I-129F PAPERWORK USPS EXPRESS MAIL

[11/02/2010] RECEIVED 10:22A IN LEWISVILLE, TX BY K. COLTRIN

[11/05/2010] RECEIVED ELECTRONIC NOA 1 (1:14A)

[11/08/2010] RECEIVED HARD-COPY OF NOA 1 (DATED NOV. 4TH)

[11/10/2010] TOUCHED!

[11/15/2010] TOUCHED!

[04/09/2011] I-129F APPROVED (NO RFE'S YAY!!!)

[04/20/2011] NVC RECEIVED APPROVED PETITION

[04/22/2011] NVC SENT APPROVED PETITION TO BUENOS AIRES

[07/31/2011] AFTER MUCH ADO FINALLY RECEIVED PACKET 3 (APPROX.)

[08/11/2011] CORREO ARGENTINO ACKNOWLEDGES PACKET RECIEVED BY BUENOS AIRES CONSULATE

[08/23/2011] PACKET 3 ACCEPTED BY CONSULATE INTERVIEW SCHEDULED FOR SEPT 6TH

[09/06/2011] INTERVIEW IN BA FOR K1 VISA. TWO QUESTION INTERVIEW.....APPROVED!!!! YAY!!!

[09/13/2011] SEALED VISA PACKET FOR ENTRY ARRIVES...IN HAND NOW!!!

[10/02/2011] POE MIAMI - IN UNITED STATES FINALLY!

[10/21/2011] OFFICIAL U.S. MARRIAGE!!!

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agrahamandanora Newbie

agrahamandanora   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ireland
 Timeline
Posted

From our experience the way all the forms are laid out and the number of hoops you have to jump through make it seem more difficult than it actually is (probably depending on personal circumstances). I found that reading the instructions and then going to the forum here for clarification was all that we needed.

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AlinaH Enthusiast

AlinaH   38

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

We filed on our own! A lawyer can rarely tell you anything that you can't figure out yourself. The guides on this website are such a good source of knowledge...as well as asking for advice on the forums. It doesn't speed it up at all to go through a third party and it would save you a lot of money to do it on your own.

June 7, 2010 - Will asked me to marry him, and I said YES!!
October 4, 2010 - Will sent away the I-129F Petition
October 12, 2010 - NOA1 received!
October 15, 2010 - First "touch"
October 18, 2010 - Second "touch"
March 7, 2011 - NOA2!!!
March 18, 2011 - NVC forwarded our case to the Montreal Consulate....NOT where we wanted it to go!
March 25, 2011 - Email from Montreal saying that our case would be forwarded to Vancouver - only took one night for a reply from them smile.png
April 5, 2011 - Vancouver has our package!
April 6, 2011 - Received Packet 3 via email - now just waiting on my police certificate.
April 13, 2011 - faxed Packet 3 to Vancouver
April 14, 2011 - received Packet 4 via email
May 4, 2011 - Medical appointment
May 5, 2011 - Interview!! APPROVED smile.png

June 16, 2011 - POE at Blaine Peace Arch Crossing
June 28, 2011 - Got married by Elvis in Vegas!
Aug 8, 2011 - Received SSN in the mail.

Aug 31, 2011 - Sent off AOS Package
Sept 7, 2011 - Package received by USCIS
Sept 9, 2011 - Notice of Action email for AOS, EAD, and AP.
Sept 16, 2011 - Received my Biometrics Appt. letter for the 30th.
Sept 22, 2011 - RFE sad.png
Sept 30, 2011 - Biometrics Appt.
Oct 26, 2011 - Received interview letter for Dec 1st
Nov 4, 2011 - EAD/AP approved
Nov 12, 2011 - Received combo card in the mail
Dec 1, 2011 - Interview - APPROVED smile.png
Dec 9, 2011 - Greencard arrived in the mail!

Oct 18, 2013 - I-751 Package signed for at CA Service Center

Mar 5, 2014 - Approved! Awaiting greencard in the mail

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joe_robin66 Enthusiast

joe_robin66   6

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

If it wasn't for this website...we probably would have found another one! I hear bad stories about lawyers...save your money.

Removal of Conditions

10.15.2012 ROC package sent to California Service Center

10.18.2012 Package received

10.19.2012 Check cashed (it never ceases to amaze me how fast the gov't cashes a check!!)

10.29.2012 NOA received dated 10.18.2012

10.29.2012 Biometrics appt received

11.14.2012 Biometrics

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amykathleen2005 Proficient

amykathleen2005   441

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: England
 Timeline
Posted

This site is great! If you don't have a complicated case than I would file on your own. I have heard lots of stories of lawyers screwing up people's applications more than if they did it themselves in the first place. You are going to have to get all the information for the lawyer (or lawyer's secretary) to enter into the forms anyways.

England.gif England!

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

b0cb1a39c4.png

ROC Timeline

Sent: 7/21/12

NOA1: 7/23/12

Touch: 7/24/2012

Biometrics: 8/24/2012

Card Production Ordered: 3/6/2013

*Eligible for Naturalization: October 13, 2013*

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payxibka Grand Master

payxibka   10,045

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

this is a predominantly DIY site... the poll results will be skewed in that direction

Edited by payxibka

YMMV

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JimVaPhuong Veteran

JimVaPhuong   4,863

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
 Timeline
Posted

Obviously, the poll results are not going to be very revealing. This site focuses on DIY immigration to the US, so the overwhelming majority of people here have filed without a lawyer.

I'm a firm believer that anyone with a routine case, who has average intelligence, a little patience, and a willingness to learn can handle this process themselves, from start to finish. Even so, I've recommended to numerous people that they should consult with an attorney, either because they had serious problems with their case, or because there were barriers (like language) that would make it difficult for them to learn what they needed to know.

12/15/2009 - K1 Visa Interview - APPROVED!

12/29/2009 - Married in Oakland, CA!

08/18/2010 - AOS Interview - APPROVED!

05/01/2013 - Removal of Conditions - APPROVED!

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RICARDO4EVA2 Mentor

RICARDO4EVA2   194

Posted
Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Jamaica
 Timeline
Posted

I processed all cases 2 IR-1s and 2 IR-5s without a Lawyer... the cases were simple and not complex. In 2 months we will also submit a F2A case for my little brother.. NO Lawyer will be used...!

Current cut off date F2A - Current 

Brother's Journey (F2A) - PD Dec 30, 2010


Dec 30 2010 - Notice of Action 1 (NOA1)
May 12 2011 - Notice of Action 2 (NOA2)
May 23 2011 - NVC case # Assigned
Nov 17 2011 - COA / I-864 received
Nov 18 2011 - Sent COA
Apr 30 2012 - Pay AOS fee
Oct 15 2012 - Pay IV fee
Oct 25 2012 - Sent AOS/IV Package
Oct 29 2012 - Pkg Delivered
Dec 24 2012 - Case Complete
May 17 2013 - Interview-Approved

July 19 2013 - Enter the USA

"... Answer when you are called..."

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thelastpetitioner Proficient

thelastpetitioner   218

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Iran
 Timeline
Posted

i talked to nearly every farsi and none farsi speaking lawyer in california,i checked them up to make sure they are legit lawyers,however,nothing can guarantee that will be good and useful in your case,if your case is simple,you can find a lot of information online and on USCIS website

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Lisamarie Proficient

Lisamarie   79

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

We filed on our own. I know people that have done both, but it seems like using a lawyer doesn't speed the process much, if at all. They can probably better see if the papers are all filled out correctly though.

I'm just curious if many people file on their own or with a lawyer. Any additonal insights would be helpful!

Moroccan-Americanflag.jpg

Met in December 2008

Married in Morocco December 22, 2009

Filed IR1/CR1 - April 2010

NOA1 - April 29, 2010

RFE - November 12, 2010

Response to RFE - December 22, 2010

NOA2 - January 18, 2011

Paid AOS and IV Bill - January 27, 2011

Sent AOS/IV documents - March 15 2011

NVC received/signed for documents - March 17

Interview May 10

APPROVED

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Brian-and-Maria Rookie

Brian-and-Maria   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

We used this Site mainly, the only time we had a Lawyer was to have him go through our paperwork making everything was peachy for the Government before being sent. For around 50 to 100 dollars I think it is worth it, make sure you go to somene who focuses on This line of work!!!

Service Center : California Service Center

Consulate : Costa Rica

I-129F Sent : 2010-06-02

I-129F NOA1 : 2010-06-15

I-129F RFE(s) : NONE :)

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2010-11-05

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MochiKamo Community Regular

MochiKamo   93

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Japan
 Timeline
Posted

I did it on my own. Unless you have a particularly complex case, I don't see what a lawyer can possibly add. Especially given the resources available at visajourney.

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I AM NOT THAT GUY Grand Master

I AM NOT THAT GUY   5,715

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

If you do all the due diligence, I mean, actually read the instructions that come with forms and follow those to the letter, then why would you need a lawyer? Now, if your case is complicated, or if you are not sure what to put on the forms, even after exhausting sites like this, and the government websites and phone support, then it would be time to lawyer up.

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LaL Veteran

LaL   418

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Timeline
Posted

I used a lawyer for the K1 (until the interview). I had no idea if our case was routine or not. I felt a bit overwhelmed with all the options, and knew at the very LEAST I wanted a initial consult. From there we decided to hire him. We DIY'ed the AOS - when I was familiar with it all and thought I could manage it myself.

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