New to this - where do I start?

[twin810s 23]

I'm sure answers to all my questions lie within these forums, but I'm just so confused by all of it. I am a Canadian citizen and am planning to marry my US citizen girlfriend, then move to Ohio to live with her. I've been searching the web for about a month just trying to find a couple basic things regarding the process; First, a step by step of all the forms and procedures in chronological order from step zero to green card in hand, and being a permanent US Resident with no more immigration processes to go through. There are so many forms on all the websites and they are all mixed in with various other applications and forms for all types of visas. It makes for a very confusing read. I just want to know, step by step, which forms and applications need to be filed and when. Also, and this probably goes hand in hand with the step by step, we'd like to know all the associated fees for the forms we're filing. Most every form and application pertaining to this process seems to have a price tag on it, but most seem to just say 'there is a fee' and direct you to a table of fees that doesn't always tell you what costs what. We're just trying to save up to do this, but we have no idea what its going to cost beyond the initial $420 to file the I-130. I'm sure if things we explained in plainer english I would get this much more easily, but researching is just frying my brain and making me more confused, and lawyers around here are charging $200/hr just to ask a few questions... Please help...

[Done--Really 331]

Forget the lawyers and go to the GUIDES tab at the top of this page--it has everything you need.

[Andrea&Henry 311]

I'm sure answers to all my questions lie within these forums, but I'm just so confused by all of it. I am a Canadian citizen and am planning to marry my US citizen girlfriend, then move to Ohio to live with her.

I've been searching the web for about a month just trying to find a couple basic things regarding the process; First, a step by step of all the forms and procedures in chronological order from step zero to green card in hand, and being a permanent US Resident with no more immigration processes to go through.

There are so many forms on all the websites and they are all mixed in with various other applications and forms for all types of visas. It makes for a very confusing read. I just want to know, step by step, which forms and applications need to be filed and when.

Also, and this probably goes hand in hand with the step by step, we'd like to know all the associated fees for the forms we're filing.

Most every form and application pertaining to this process seems to have a price tag on it, but most seem to just say 'there is a fee' and direct you to a table of fees that doesn't always tell you what costs what. We're just trying to save up to do this, but we have no idea what its going to cost beyond the initial $420 to file the I-130. I'm sure if things we explained in plainer english I would get this much more easily, but researching is just frying my brain and making me more confused, and lawyers around here are charging $200/hr just to ask a few questions... Please help...

Well, I know it looks very overwhelming but it's very simple.

First you need to decide which route you want to pursuit. You have 2 options:

k1 visa (for a fiance of an USC): Usually takes between 4 to 8 month to be process, once you get to the US you need to get married within 90 days. Then you need to apply for AoS

CR1 visa (for a spouse of an USC) takes between 8 month to a year. Once you arrive the GC card is send to your mail.

with both you will receive a CONDITIONAL GREEN CARD, after 2 years you need to apply for a Removal of conditions so you can become in a PERMANENT green card holder. After a year you can apply for citizenship. Usually you need to be married at least 3 years to become in a US citizen.

But don't worry about that yet...

Once you decide what route here are the step by steps guide:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide K1 VISA GUIDE

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1 CR1 GUIDE

if you decide to take the k1 visa I can give you a hand...

good luck

[Boggy1974 124]

I'm sure answers to all my questions lie within these forums, but I'm just so confused by all of it. I am a Canadian citizen and am planning to marry my US citizen girlfriend, then move to Ohio to live with her. I've been searching the web for about a month just trying to find a couple basic things regarding the process; First, a step by step of all the forms and procedures in chronological order from step zero to green card in hand, and being a permanent US Resident with no more immigration processes to go through. There are so many forms on all the websites and they are all mixed in with various other applications and forms for all types of visas. It makes for a very confusing read. I just want to know, step by step, which forms and applications need to be filed and when. Also, and this probably goes hand in hand with the step by step, we'd like to know all the associated fees for the forms we're filing. Most every form and application pertaining to this process seems to have a price tag on it, but most seem to just say 'there is a fee' and direct you to a table of fees that doesn't always tell you what costs what. We're just trying to save up to do this, but we have no idea what its going to cost beyond the initial $420 to file the I-130. I'm sure if things we explained in plainer english I would get this much more easily, but researching is just frying my brain and making me more confused, and lawyers around here are charging $200/hr just to ask a few questions... Please help...

You mentioned GC so I assume you'll want to file form I-130. If you've been married less than 2yrs, it's CR1 (2yrs conditional GC when your spouse arrives in the US and have to do RoC later on). If you've been married more or greater than 2yrs, it's IR1 (10yrs permanent GC).

Below are the links to the guides and forms on uscis website. Read thoroughly, if you have any specific question(s), then you can ask. Your fees it's about $1100 total, my rough estimate. Best of luck to you!

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=c67c7f9ded54d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d7c84154d7b3d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Edited February 26, 2013 by Boggy1974

[Pinkie1945 0]

I'm in the same boat as you - but moving to Fl instead. Nights like tonight when we're expecting BUCKETS of snow/ice I really wish I was there YESTERDAY!

I don't know if we're going to file ourselves or use an attorney yet either.. but I do know that the state of Fl will not issue a marriage license to non US citizens without proper immigration documentation. So that means K1 path for us

Who knows - maybe we'll end up filing around the same time and wave at each other while waiting for the interview to be over with

Good luck to you both!!