How to find a real immigration attorney — and avoid notario fraud

In many Latin American countries, a notario público is a licensed attorney. In the United States, that is not the case. A U.S. notary public is someone authorized to witness signatures — they are not a lawyer and are not allowed to give legal advice or represent anyone in immigration matters.

People who use the title “notario” to offer immigration help in the U.S. are often committing fraud. Their advice can hurt your case and, in serious cases, lead to deportation orders that could have been avoided. This article is how to tell the difference.

Only two kinds of people can give immigration legal advice

• A licensed attorney in good standing with a U.S. state bar
• A BIA-accredited representative working for a Department of Justice-recognized organization

Anyone else giving you specific advice about your immigration case — including a “notary,” an immigration consultant, a paralegal acting on their own, or a tax preparer — is not allowed to represent you and may be breaking the law.

How to verify an attorney in five minutes

• Ask which U.S. state they are licensed in. They should answer clearly. “I work with a network” is not an answer.
• Search the state bar's public website for their full name and bar number. Confirm the status reads “active” or “in good standing.”
• For an accredited representative, search the EOIR list of recognized organizations and accredited representatives.
• Make sure any fee agreement is in writing and that you receive a copy.

Warning signs

• Anyone who calls themselves a “notario,” “notary public,” or “immigration consultant” and offers to handle your case
• Promises of a specific outcome or a guarantee
• Cash-only payments without a written receipt
• Pressure to sign documents quickly or in a language you do not understand
• Asking for your original documents and not returning them

If you have already paid a notario

Keep every receipt, contract, and message you have. You can report fraud to your state attorney general's office and, in many states, recover money paid for unauthorized practice of law. Talk to a real immigration attorney about whether anything filed in your name needs to be corrected.