What is an I-797?

[Tumbleweed 0]

Mornin' all

I looked around for an answer, but I'm still not clear. I am going through a lawyer to do the CR1 for my husband, and he said once he receives the I-797, he will forward me the receipt so I can track everything online. Is this just an official name for NOA1?

[Samoray 165]

Mornin' all

I looked around for an answer, but I'm still not clear. I am going through a lawyer to do the CR1 for my husband, and he said once he receives the I-797, he will forward me the receipt so I can track everything online. Is this just an official name for NOA1?

Thats Correct

[Casprd 167]

Yes it is the Notice of Action form.

I-797

[Tumbleweed 0]

Whew, OK, thank you

[IndigoSkies 168]

You will come to learn that lawyers are totally unnecessary for this process.

And yes to your question FORM I797 is NOA1.

[IndigoSkies 168]

You will come to learn that lawyers are totally unnecessary for this process.

And yes to your question FORM I797 is NOA1.

[Tumbleweed 0]

I am already pretty sure you're right about that...I am about *this* close to firing him....I feel like this all would go a lot faster if I did it on my own. I spend a good part of the day lurking here, and have learned a lot I haven't really jumped in too much because I was waiting until he filed the I-130 and we got NOA1, but in order to save my sanity, and to hopefully make a few friends that are going through the same thing, I'm starting to ask questions. But I do believe I agree with you...the lawyer might not have been the best idea...but we'll see.

[Utah_Bound 0]

I agree, I (From the UK) and my wife (US Citizen), did all our own paperwork, getting help from such great places as VisaJourney on anything we were unsure of. Lawyers will not speed up the process and could in fact hinder the whole thing for you. Now that you have your NOA1 things will just start falling into place.

Get rid of the lawyer unless you suspect there is something in yours or his past that may deny him a visa and would require a waiver? Otherwise you'll be better off just putting a match to the money your burning.

[RichiJenny 14]

i think most can manage on their own for uncomplicated straight forward cases. good luck, with the help of this site its totally more than possible

[LotofPatience 65]

I am already pretty sure you're right about that...I am about *this* close to firing him....I feel like this all would go a lot faster if I did it on my own. I spend a good part of the day lurking here, and have learned a lot I haven't really jumped in too much because I was waiting until he filed the I-130 and we got NOA1, but in order to save my sanity, and to hopefully make a few friends that are going through the same thing, I'm starting to ask questions. But I do believe I agree with you...the lawyer might not have been the best idea...but we'll see.

Tumbleweed,

If your case is a straightforward one, you "may" fire the lawyer and save some money now onwards. Entire process is here - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

I would ask couple of flowers only

Loto

[Markieboy 104]

Tumbleweed,

If your case is a straightforward one, you "may" fire the lawyer and save some money now onwards. Entire process is here - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

I would ask couple of flowers only

Loto

[Tumbleweed 0]

Thanks, everyone. I haven't even received the NOA1 yet...my lawyer was trying to track down a divorce decree of mine from over 11 years ago...(I now know to never ever ever throw stuff like that away again) and supposedly that was the last thing he needed to complete the I-130 package. So its on its way finally

The main reason we decided to go the lawyer route is that a) I didn't even know about this site at the time, b) up until last month, I've been a single mom working full time and didn't think I had it in me to "do everything on my own" (I know, I was wrong ) and c) both my husband and myself were very much wanting to make certain everything was done correctly (which goes back to a) again...now I know)

We'll see how long it takes to get the NOA1. We first met with the lawyer about 5 weeks ago, when my husband was here visiting (and becoming my husband, heh ) But in all fairness, since I couldn't even remember WHEN I was divorced all those years ago, it was really hard for the lawyer to even track down a decree for me. I appreciated him doing that, and I guess now everything is ready to begin.

Now its all going to be a matter of trying to stay sane and hope he moves along at a pace thats OK with me. I email him every day. He's great about responding quickly. I've made it pretty clear that I expect to be informed each step of the way.

He loathes the fact that I lurk on this site

[RichiJenny 14]

Im sure many lawyers hate this site cos the advice - although not legal as such, is free, and extremely helpful and invaluable. You cant call a lawyer at 3am, but there is always a strong chance that you will have an answer to a worrying question in a very short period of time if not immediately.

I did the K1 originally on my own, and also now doing the CR1 on my (with my wife) own. I will probably need a waiver for an overstay, but Im confident we can do that on our own, with the aid of this site too.

Looking back, Ive no idea if we'd have got to where we are now in 8 weeks or so, give or take, with a lawyers assistance.

If you have any questions you want answering, the immigration lawyer Laurel Scott does a free chat on a Wednesday lunchtime - and you can place a question in there. its free and is a great help. Here's the link-

http://immigrate2us.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?24-Laurel-Scott-Chat-Logs

The website is an excellent resource too, its a little more formal in certain areas, but coupled with here its without doubt a far better replacement than paying for a lawyer.

By adding the emotional aspect to a petition for the CR1 and the follow on, I feel that you can achieve your goal quicker than a lawyer.

For example, if you want to speak to the USCIS or NVC - and there is something bugging you, you can get an answer as soon as you are connecting for the most part. A lawyer wont repeatedly try a call for a client until they have an answer, they have other clients, so your need forms a line with others.

[Tumbleweed 0]

Thanks for all that! I will have to check out that chat for certain...I really appreciate you telling me about that

That's what's worst for me about having the lawyer. The emotional aspect. I hate hate hate feeling like I am not in control of my own destiny. However, once I get the case number from him, I'll be all over it. I've already paid his non-refundable retainer, so I might as well use that up, I guess. But I've made it clear to him that I NEED to be kept in the know...I am waaaay to emotional and OCD to not know and "just trust."

I am babbling now....

[RichiJenny 14]

I believe the actual chat is run from Laurel Scotts own website - however, you can put a question in at any time at immigrate2us and it will be answered by laurel. Shes helped me a few times. Her consultation is meant to be good, though I had confidence we could go it alone, and with the help of here, I2US.net and a couple of pieces of advice from lawyers, Im confident.

If you dont know your case number - you can always call the uscis - as the petitioner, and after going through personal / security details, they'll give it to you