Just Curious How Many People File On Their Own

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We (mainly me since my husband hates paperwork!) did it on our own from the initial I-129f for the K-1 to my citizenship application last year. If you are able to pay attention to details and follow instructions, there is no need to pay a Laywer. In fact, you would still end up having to do the lion's share of the work since so much of it is providing certain documents that only you can obtain and recording biographical information - which you would have to provide anyway. The added benefit is that doing it on your own gives you a good understanding of the processes involved so you have more control over your applications in the long run - you are not dependent on someone else who may make a mistake and leave you to pay the cost.

Edited October 24, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Yellowhead 12]

My fiance and I have been doing the process on our own. We did consultations with a few lawyers and after having people here answer our questions more accurately and promptly (and for free!) we chose to do it ourselves. If you have trouble with paperwork, have a family member or someone else read it over before sending. The process is really simple once you are comfortable with how it works and it is entirely possible to do, and will save you 2000-10,000 dollars. Most lawyers will charge that alone for an initial consult, and for helping you up until your port of entry. Then you are on your own, unless you fork up more money. You are better off saving that money and putting it towards the next step in the process, and your move to the USA. The people on VJ are amazing and have been such a blessing in the process!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

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

Go to the frms section of this website. Download the I-129f and the G-325a. Loo at them. Read them. Then tell which part an attorney can fill out without you giving him the information. Then go to Lowes.com or to the Walmart website or Best Buy. Look at their job applications. Which is more difficult? Which asks for more personal information? Then ask if you would pay an attorney $2000 to fill out a job application for Lowe's.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

For Pras (K-1 petition to N-400) all filed on-own.

(my own 1996 labour-cert petition, I made the mistake of using a lawyer--the chopf##k filed me as EB-3 rather than EB-2)

[bora bora 1]

We did everything on our own - from K1 to citizenship. We've never received an RFE (knocks on wood) or had any other big problems, though I did make a small error on my husband's work permit paperwork (which turned out ok). VJ's members have been so helpful over the years so I'm glad I found this site.

I also believe that each step is easier than the last (for ex: removing conditions was MUCH simpler and faster than K1).

[imzadi 0]

I did AOS and ROC with a lawyer - didn't know about the VJ site until after filing for ROC.

The Citizenship I did on my own. If I had found this site earlier, I could probably have done everything myself.

The info and members here are really a great help.

[Kukolka 8]

On my own (I do my paperwork and my husband's). IMO the visa and AOS process is little different from doing one's own taxes, with more writing and less math.

[Marilyn. 340]

we used a lawyer but I wish we hadn't.. it was really expensive and we basically had to do all the grunt work ourselves, the lawyer basically gathered all the paperwork together and filed it... which after finding VJ, I realized that we could done that ourselves..... plus he caused us two RFE's and I constantly had to email him with things he got wrong etc.... I really wish I would have found this site sooner..

[mendeleev 68]

For the K1, we used a lawyer. Didn't know any better and didn't know about VJ. We did the K3 ourselves.

[misterbigtoe 45]

For the K1, we used a lawyer. Didn't know any better and didn't know about VJ. We did the K3 ourselves.

I used a Lawyer who had handled immigration work for our company. As a personal favor, she offered to do all the preparation and assembly for us as well as gave us some very very good advice at times. I already knew that she was good at her job from the work that she did for the company.. Our USCIS wait was over comparatively quickly and i think that her services were very valuable.

That being said, do not count on a lawyer for perfection. Ours made mistakes, they all do because they cannot possibly know your relationship and its complexities as well as you do. Even with a Lawyer, you need to be proactive and check and double check everything.

[Szilvia74 3]

My own. I can only agree: if your case is a normal case and you can assume no or minor complications just file yourself. The instructions are generally pretty good and people here on the site are helpful too.

[raymaga 25]

We filed on our own, but we did get a free consult with a lawyer and then decided to do it ourselves.

[anka 1]

Filed ourselves. BUT If I hadn't discovered Visajourney, we probably would've resorted to a lawyer. Thank goodness this place exists - and the kind people who make up the forums and give such great advice and help!

[EvilEmmy 1]

Oddly enough this came up briefly today with my fiance, he will be the one filing for K1 but after sending him links to uscis for the appropriate forms to download and copying the brillient VJ guideline to notepad for him. He drops the bombshell he wants to consult a immigration lawyer on my next trip and maybe visit the local consulate because he doesn't understand that it can be done by us together and Save potentially a couple of grand on the fees. Though I understand and respect that wish, seems sorta pointless when ALL the information he could need would be right there on paper and easy to follow with just the cost of ink, charges for filing, paper costs and postage etc etc. Lord know's If it was the other way round and him coming here i'd do it all myself in a heartbeat! No lawyers involved for me as I have a no bad history or crimal issues. Maybe have issues with supporting him but just saying if was me in that situation i'd do it off my own back then no one can be blamed but myself if paperwork is wrong or something missing. Instead of questioning my sanity only to find out it was actually a 3rd party who messed up and not me!

Though I can understand the need for immigration lawyers if a case is not as straightforward as most usually are, then my thoughts are a lawyer should be spoken to. I think it just depends on each persons situation if you read enough of the guidelines and topics here you sort of learn what is a more straightforward application and what may make things more difficult it's why I love VJ and it's memebers everyone tries to put their input and help you with certain situations even if it's just to vent or get a worry of your chest

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Oddly enough this came up briefly today with my fiance, he will be the one filing for K1 but after sending him links to uscis for the appropriate forms to download and copying the brillient VJ guideline to notepad for him. He drops the bombshell he wants to consult a immigration lawyer on my next trip and maybe visit the local consulate because he doesn't understand that it can be done by us together and Save potentially a couple of grand on the fees. Though I understand and respect that wish, seems sorta pointless when ALL the information he could need would be right there on paper and easy to follow with just the cost of ink, charges for filing, paper costs and postage etc etc. Lord know's If it was the other way round and him coming here i'd do it all myself in a heartbeat! No lawyers involved for me as I have a no bad history or crimal issues. Maybe have issues with supporting him but just saying if was me in that situation i'd do it off my own back then no one can be blamed but myself if paperwork is wrong or something missing. Instead of questioning my sanity only to find out it was actually a 3rd party who messed up and not me!

Though I can understand the need for immigration lawyers if a case is not as straightforward as most usually are, then my thoughts are a lawyer should be spoken to. I think it just depends on each persons situation if you read enough of the guidelines and topics here you sort of learn what is a more straightforward application and what may make things more difficult it's why I love VJ and it's memebers everyone tries to put their input and help you with certain situations even if it's just to vent or get a worry of your chest

Required Disclaimer: You should always seek professional advice.

Reality: Everything you need is right there on the USCIS website. There are good lawyers, and bad lawyers. There is good advice, and bad advice. But, you can always learn from the experience of others.