Any advantages to using an attorney to file for Citizenship?

C

CrossHairs

Registered Users (C)
Please help with this question. Would appreciate your help.

Most folks use an attorney to file for Green Card.
When it comes to Citizenship filing, it seems like most folks take a DIY (do-it-yourself) approach to filing the N-400.

I understand the N-400 filing is simpler than GC filing and hence most folks do it themselves and save shelling out money to the attorneys.

But, my question is (leaving out the attorney cost for a moment), is there any significant advantage to using an attorney help to file N-400?
(for a simple, straightforward N-400 filing ...No complications like police record, have continuous residency in US...so no complications)

Does it still have any advantage:
1. Would it help if we get in "name-check" nightmare? In this case, if we had filed using an attorney would it help? since attorney could file Writ of Mandamus or send letters to USCIS etc? Would this be an advantage?

2. Is there any other pros for paying money to use a law firm for N-400 filing?

I hope some of you can provide your guidance on this. I really appreciate any input from the people in this message board.
 
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The N-400 filing process is so straight-forward that I don't see any advantages to using an attorney (unless you have one of the complications you listed). In fact there have been cases where having an attorney as a go-between added more delay to the process (attorney did not forward letters from USCIS to the applicant on time). So I would say save your money and go for the DIY approach that most of us here have used successfully. In the worst case scenario where you get stuck in name check indefinitely I don't believe the attorney can do anything that you can't do by yourself (and it's not like either of you can really expedite the process).

-KM
 
Not all attorneys who file would be practising in the federal court and may not be the best people to file WOM either. You are better off finding a lawyer with more expertise in court cases should such a need arise. Most people with who got green cards through skilled employment category typically file their own n400 applications. Lately most people who file 485s are doing filing themselves too. Do post your timeline when you start your process.


CrossHairs said:
Please help with this question. Would appreciate your help.

Most folks use an attorney to file for Green Card.
When it comes to Citizenship filing, it seems like most folks take a DIY (do-it-yourself) approach to filing the N-400.

I understand the N-400 filing is simpler than GC filing and hence most folks do it themselves and save shelling out money to the attorneys.

But, my question is (leaving out the attorney cost for a moment), is there any significant advantage to using an attorney help to file N-400?
(for a simple, straightforward N-400 filing ...No complications like police record, have continuous residency in US...so no complications)

Does it still have any advantage:
1. Would it help if we get in "name-check" nightmare? In this case, if we had filed using an attorney would it help? since attorney could file Writ of Mandamus or send letters to USCIS etc? Would this be an advantage?

2. Is there any other pros for paying money to use a law firm for N-400 filing?

I hope some of you can provide your guidance on this. I really appreciate any input from the people in this message board.
Click to expand...
 
Kagemusha and brb2,
Thanks for the replies. Yes, when I file I will update my details here in the forum.

Another question - this is a nit-pick question, sorry! (but I guess folks do ask nitpick questions!):
What is the approach people here recommend to send the N-400 application? US Postal Service or via Fedex?

I have heard from some that it is better to use USPS because it gives you "postmark date", some say Fedex is more "reliable". Any advice?

If we are using Fedex, then typically you cannot send it to a "PO Box" address. I need to send it to Nebraska Service Center (NSC).
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=52a46c854523d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD
This says...
NOTE: If using overnight delivery by any private service provider, send your package to:

USCIS
Nebraska Service Center
850 S Street
P.O. Box (Insert Correct P.O. Box Number)
Lincoln, NE 68508
Be sure to include the appropriate P.O. Box number on the shipping label.

So, even for Fedex - I guess we need to include a "PO BOX" in addition to the street address. Am I correct?
And they say Overnight Delivery - when we Fedex is it mandatory to choose Overnight Delivery as the option? Or can I choose 3-4 day delivery for the same mailing adress listed above?
 
United States Postal Service!

Hi!

I used the USPS. Sent Express Mail with Return Receipt. Easy to track and works. USCIS got my package by noon the next day and I got the return receipt 2 days later.

Hope this helps.:)
 
Thanks Jedi. It certainly is useful to hear from you. Appreciate it.

I'm interested to hear from other folks on this board as well on their experiences in mailing things in and regarding my question about the PO Box for the Fedex.
 
Some advantages of using a lawyer:

Lawyer can prevent you from making simple errors that might delay your case or trigger RFE (checking the wrong box, forgetting to include a required piece of evidence). N-400 is very straightforward, though, so if you are careful and detail-oriented, it's easy to get it right yourself.

If CIS makes an error and messes up your case, lawyer can help sort it out.

Lawyer gets copies of CIS mailings, so if yours is lost, lawyer will have a copy. Might be important to you if you are in an area with mail delivery problems.

I didn't use a lawyer for N-400, and everything has gone smoothly so far. Application was sent by Post Office; Priority Mail with Return Receipt. That service has been very reliable for me, and I didn't see the point of spending more for FEDEX.
 
Thank you, Bill.
It does seem like most of you have managed the N-400 without using an attorney. My main reason for using one would be if they can help if we get stuck with the "name check" hassles. It sounds like neither them nor us can do much if we get stuck in that drain!
 
used FedEx

USCIS
Nebraska Service Center
850 S Street
P.O. Box (Insert Correct P.O. Box Number)
Lincoln, NE 68508

I used FedEx. A lawyer suggested it.
I sent my package to the same address you mentioned. It was received in a day or two (I don't remember). The address has a street #, so I guess it wasn't exactly a P.O. Box address.
 
I sent it by USPS Express because FedEx said they don't deliver to box numbers. It reached the very next day. USCIS were focussing on 485s in June so even ordinary mail would not have made a difference. I also sent a money order to save on the check collection time. I am not sure if that helped.
 
I subscribe to a company "legal plan" that allows me "phone support" on "immigration issues". So, before we sent off our applications, I had a lawyer review them (via fax). She answered one particular question, and reminded/suggested that I report traffic tickets. Most of what she added was "piece of mind". She did not prepare or submit the form.

I always send things "certified mail with return receipt". I like postmarks, and I like getting that little green postcard back in the mail as a proof positive that someone got my mail.
 
Let me add my 2 cents here regarding the lawyer. I filled in N-400 myself and handled all other steps in the process myself until my application got stuck in Name Check. I consulted a lawyer at that time (just paid the one-hour consultation fee). The lawyer cannot help with expediting name checks (neither can the senator or congressman for that matter). The only thing the lawyer did fir me is take an Infopass on my behalf, where he was told the same thing I was told, that the app was indeed in the security check stage. This was included in the initial consultation cost, otherwise I would not have even gone with it. So, to summarize, no, I do not think a lawyer is all that helpful in N-400 situations.
 
Thanks Flydog and dboca.

Flydog: I once sent some Vehicle registration related document to Motor Vehicles by CERTIFIED mail with tracking# USPS. (I did not attach return receipt since it was not that critical doc).

The tracking # always showed just scanned in place of mailing, and I called USPS and they could not track this properly either.
I sent another copy of the letter since it was not that important.

But things like this make me a bit nervous at times, and that is why I asked the question.
 
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Yeah, the USPS isn't as good with bar codes as the courier companies are. However, they are great with little pieces of real mail (like the little green "return receipt" post card).

Other than their "Express Mail" product, I'd rate their bar code tracking capabilities as "pretty poor".
 
do we need to send N-400 applications in separate envelopes?

Flydog said:
Yeah, the USPS isn't as good with bar codes as the courier companies are. However, they are great with little pieces of real mail (like the little green "return receipt" post card).

Other than their "Express Mail" product, I'd rate their bar code tracking capabilities as "pretty poor".
Click to expand...


Ok, perhaps I will use "Express Mail" if I decide to use USPS.

By the way, do we need to send N-400 applications for each individual (for example husband and wife) in SEPARATE ENVELOPES!?? or can it be combined? What do people recommend on this?
 
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