? for naturalized americans - repost

[ClaraB]

(I tried to post this this morning, but apparently the message didn't take.)

DH and I will be applying for citizenship this fall, but he's changed employers since we got our green cards, so we'll have to pay the immigration lawyer ourselves, and he's asking $2000 per adult. I'm wondering if it would be worth it, or if we can do it on our own.

For those of you who have naturalized to the US, did you use an immigration lawyer? If you did, was it worth it? If you didn't, how difficult was the process to do on your own? Thanks for your replies!

[Canice]

Hi, Clara. DBF was naturalized 5 years ago, and he had changed employer several times. He came into the country legally and remained so consistently. He had a clean record, a steady job, a house, and money in the bank. So when he hired an attorney to help with his naturalization, he asked "Why not do it yourself?".
But he despises forms and procedures, so he retained the attorney (I believe he charged $1600). Before they went in for the last interview, the lawyer told him "If there's anything at all you haven't told me that I should know, I encourage you do so now." DBF said he always got the feeling the lawyer thought he was hiding something. Maybe most immigration attorneys don't get clients like that?
Anyhow, I think you should look into doing it yourself.

[mcgeiger]

One of my good friends is from Australia, and she did everything herself, though she did say that it was a total pain in the a$$, because the forms are very confusing...

[wallycat]

I was 17 so don't recall it...my parents had to go through it, and by rights, we became citizens.
I don't recall my folks getting a lawyer but again, I was 17 and in my own little world (not to mention my father never told me anything ).

[Romandub]

My family came to the US in 1969 when I was 13. They all got naturalized in 1975, but for some reason, that I can't now recall, I didn't do it then. So I waited until 1993. I didn't use a lawyer. The process IS kind of a pain to go through, but I think US citizenship is a big deal and deserves a thorough process and some effort. I don't recall it as being particularly difficult, just time consuming and paper-intensive. Now, that was a long time ago, so things might have changed since then. Good luck!

[funnybone]

Reviving this thread as it is something we might have to consider a few years from now. ClaraB - Have you found out any more info?

Everyone I have spoken to has done it themselves or found someone to help that didn't charge that sort of money. $2000 seems too steep.

[Chelle D]

I think you can do it yourself if you put in the time, fill out all the forms correctly and pay attention to your due dates on all paperwork. DH immigrated in 2001 to marry me and I took charge of all of the paperwork to get him here, kept up on residency renewals and work authorizations. When we started, every website I looked at and many of the people I talked to said I needed a lawyer to immigrate a fiance, but I could not afford the $5000-$8000 in quotes I received at that time. So I did it all myself. It was a pain, but it could be done. I would think naturalization should work the same. DH is now a permanent resident and will obtain US citizenship in the future.

[cab321]

If you are still looking at this thread, the paperwork isn't that bad. There are bulletin boards out there just for immigrants, and you could search around for a decent one where you could get "nonlegal" advice on the forms. But really, it's not that bad. We didn't do naturalization. But on the US end we've done Fiance visa, changing status to permanent residency, and removal of conditions for permanent residency. On the UK end we've done a spousal visa.

[mao]

I did the paperwork myself and it isn't too tedious, especially if your case is straightforward. One of the most tedious parts, especially if you travel a lot, is documenting absences, but it is just tedious, not difficult.

There are also some non-profit legal clinics that will review or help one fill out the paperwork for a much smaller fee. I had my paperwork reviewed by a volunteer at one of these places and gave a "donation" of about $50.