Getting Residency After Marrying a U.S. Citizen

[Samantha0081]

So my boyfriend and I recently got married. He's a citizen, I on the other hand am not a resident nor a citizen. I was brought to the US when I was 5 and I had a passport and a visa. My question is should we go to a lawyer or can we just apply for my residency ourselves somehow?
Thanks!

[T53147]

The instructions and forms required are on the USCIS website under family based immigration. Unless you have legal issues in the past, it is fairly straightforward since you entered legally with a visa and simply overstayed.

If you are uncomfortable doing the process alone, you can take a consultation with an attorney for initial advice, complete the forms and gather your evidence, and then return to the attorney for a review before submitting your petition. This will be less costly than having the attorney do everything for you. Depending on your income, you may qualify for assistance from one of the social service agencies that assists immigrants.

[Mr. Knowitall]

We're not in a position to assess your aptitude. Many people make their way through the process without a lawyer, others have difficulty or have issues in their background that complicate application and thus choose to retain a lawyer. The type of visa used to enter the country can sometimes present a wrinkle, but odds are if you entered lawfully you'll be eligible to adjust your status.