Filing for I-751. Lawyer needed?

[TravelingLilly 14]

Hi everyone,

 

2 years have passed since I received the GC. Few weeks ago I received the notice from both our lawyer and the USCIS to file for I-751.

This time, I would like to avoid having our lawyer supporting us in the process, simply because her rate is very high and for the Conditional GC, it cost us a lot of money. My husband and I do not have any red flag or any other potential issue to be aware of.

 

Would  you recommend to file on our own? How easy/hard is to file for the I-751? Is it common to make any mistake in the process? I'd appreciate any recommendation and experience.

 

Thank you!

[AffableAndy 107]

It's not hard, especially if you're still married. 

 

It's basically a repeat of the evidence of bonafide marriage you sent in for AOS.

[Rearviewmirror 397]

Hey Lilly.

 

We were in a similar spot to you and decided to self-file. We had our entire package from our first AOS that we did through a good (but also pricey) lawyer. As Andy says, a lot of it is repeat information, and so if you have that digitally stored from AOS you're already some portion of the way there.

 

The main additional pieces we added were more joint tax transcripts, bank statements, and then beneficiary/insurance info. 

 

The one change I made for self filing was to tilt pretty conservative on the amount of info we provided - i.e. some folks only provide evidence since they received their green card, but we decided to do the entirety of the marriage (which is what the instructions specify.

 

If you're prepared to do some research, focus on details, and ask questions here, there is nothing to prevent you successfully filing without a lawyer.

 

Best of luck!

[Crazy Cat 41,587]

25 minutes ago, TravelingLilly said:

Hi everyone,

 

2 years have passed since I received the GC. Few weeks ago I received the notice from both our lawyer and the USCIS to file for I-751.

This time, I would like to avoid having our lawyer supporting us in the process, simply because her rate is very high and for the Conditional GC, it cost us a lot of money. My husband and I do not have any red flag or any other potential issue to be aware of.

 

Would  you recommend to file on our own? How easy/hard is to file for the I-751? Is it common to make any mistake in the process? I'd appreciate any recommendation and experience.

 

Thank you!

It isn't hard.

 

Removing Conditions (I-751) on US Permanent Residency Step-by-Step Guide - US Immigration & Visa Guides - VisaJourney

[OldUser 6,452]

13 minutes ago, AffableAndy said:

It's basically a repeat of the evidence of bonafide marriage you sent in for AOS.

Ensure to send the new evidence though!

You do not need a lawyer for simple I-751. 

Edited January 24, 2023 by OldUser

[Rearviewmirror 397]

32 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

It isn't hard.

 

Removing Conditions (I-751) on US Permanent Residency Step-by-Step Guide - US Immigration & Visa Guides - VisaJourney

I feel like the guide could use an update though. 

[Daphne . 1,845]

We did it ourselves and so far, so good! It is not difficult, just double (triple!) check everything before you send it out.

[MillerTime 22]

I filed it myself with no lawyer. Just make sure to submit new evidence to prove that your marriage is still bona fide and pay really close attention to detail and you should be fine! Good luck! 

[BrendaD 13]

On 1/24/2023 at 1:13 PM, Rearviewmirror said:

Hey Lilly.

 

We were in a similar spot to you and decided to self-file. We had our entire package from our first AOS that we did through a good (but also pricey) lawyer. As Andy says, a lot of it is repeat information, and so if you have that digitally stored from AOS you're already some portion of the way there.

 

The main additional pieces we added were more joint tax transcripts, bank statements, and then beneficiary/insurance info. 

 

The one change I made for self filing was to tilt pretty conservative on the amount of info we provided - i.e. some folks only provide evidence since they received their green card, but we decided to do the entirety of the marriage (which is what the instructions specify.

 

If you're prepared to do some research, focus on details, and ask questions here, there is nothing to prevent you successfully filing without a lawyer.

 

Best of luck!

I completed both the I-130 and I-751 myself and it is not hard. I would suggest that you submit as much proof as possible, bills in both your names, lease/mortgage to show your both listed if possible, bank statements, car insurance with you both listed, life insurance if you have it to show each other as the beneficiary. We also provide lots of pictures from throughout our marriage and some from before, including wedding pictures. If you have pictures with family send it. 

 

My I-751 was received by USCIS on 5/1/2021.  We received the I-751 approval on 1/5/2023 without an interview and we got the greencard a week later.

 

I hope this helps, good luck!

Edited January 26, 2023 by BrendaD
Spelling error

[Rafagus 64]

Unless the case has unusual circumstances, such a divorse, or the immigrant was arrested, or there are other red flags, and if the person is good at reading and following instructions, they can forgo the Attorney

Edited January 26, 2023 by Rafagus

[SalishSea 17,715]

On 1/24/2023 at 9:50 AM, TravelingLilly said:

Hi everyone,

 

2 years have passed since I received the GC. Few weeks ago I received the notice from both our lawyer and the USCIS to file for I-751.

This time, I would like to avoid having our lawyer supporting us in the process, simply because her rate is very high and for the Conditional GC, it cost us a lot of money. My husband and I do not have any red flag or any other potential issue to be aware of.

 

Would  you recommend to file on our own? How easy/hard is to file for the I-751? Is it common to make any mistake in the process? I'd appreciate any recommendation and experience.

 

Thank you!

We have not used a lawyer for any part of the process, with no hiccups so far.   

[TravelingLilly 14]

Thanks everyone for sharing recommendations. We decided to go on our own ad the process seems to be quite simple.
Only question: Do I really must send all the supporting evidence I already shared two years ago when applied for the GC? Or new proofs of the last 2 years are enough? 

 

 

[MillerTime 22]

58 minutes ago, TravelingLilly said:

Only question: Do I really must send all the supporting evidence I already shared two years ago when applied for the GC? Or new proofs of the last 2 years are enough? 

 

 

When I filed my I-751, I just sent in updated evidence showing that the marriage is still bona fide after 2 years i.e. recent taxes filed together, updated bank statements, updated health/car insurance etc. The whole point of filing the I-751 is to make sure the marriage is still ongoing after the conditional GC was issued. Probably the only thing from my previous GC application that I added to my I-751 package was a copy of my marriage certificate lol. You don't have to at all and probably a lot of people don't but personally,  I had no problem giving it to them again because it doesn't hurt giving them the most important document that proves your marriage lol. Good luck!

[OldUser 6,452]

1 hour ago, TravelingLilly said:

Thanks everyone for sharing recommendations. We decided to go on our own ad the process seems to be quite simple.
Only question: Do I really must send all the supporting evidence I already shared two years ago when applied for the GC? Or new proofs of the last 2 years are enough? 

 

 

As always referring to I-751 checklist:

 

"Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish this fact, to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date;"

 

I know many people submitted only info from the time of becoming conditional LPR and got approved, but I sent it all since this is what instructions tell applicant to do.

[TravelingLilly 14]

32 minutes ago, OldUser said:

As always referring to I-751 checklist:

 

"Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish this fact, to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date;"

 

I know many people submitted only info from the time of becoming conditional LPR and got approved, but I sent it all since this is what instructions tell applicant to do.

This is where my doubt is from. Many people have only shared updated documents,  as far as I read, others included also the past ones. Fortunately, I already have all the past documents ready at hand, only need to print them.
I'll send both, just to be sure I will follow what they say.