Can I fill out the I-130 form myself or do I need an Attorney to file it for me?

There is no legal requirement that an applicant/petitioner must hire an attorney. Many immigration situations are trouble-free, and the applicants can handle the paperwork by themselves. On the other hand, there are many bases by which immigration petitions must be denied. Cases that are not clearly in one extreme or the other may be approved if the facts are presented in the light most favorable to the applicants. Attorneys may be very helpful in those cases. The issue is whether your case is trouble-free. What you may want to do is to review your facts with an attorney. From the consultation, you should have enough information to decide whether you want to hand the petition yourself.

Filling out forms is not difficult at all in most cases. However, filling out forms correctly may be a different story. First, however, make sure that you have a clean-cut case with not collateral issues. Second, read the instructions very carefully and if there is something you do not understand, then you should be asking a professional for clarification. You want to be sure and not allow a small mistake get your case denied. My advise, get a consultation from an attorney and let a professional evaluate your case before you decide if you can handle your case yourself. Do not follow the advise of non-attorneys or of those who have already done their own case. Every case is different! Again, make sure you read instructions carefuly. Warm Regards, Yahima Suarez, Esq.