- USCIS: only attorneys or accredited representatives, or certain law students or graduates working under their supervision, are authorized to represent you on immigration matters before USCIS. You do not need a representative to file forms.
- California's Attorney General (June 27, 2025): immigration consultants, who may call themselves notarios, notaries public or paralegals, cannot give legal advice or represent you in immigration court. A notario publico may not provide any legal services related to immigration.
- Connecticut's consumer protection department (June 18, 2026): never pay for government forms from the U.S. government because they are free; do not let anyone keep your original documents; never pay cash or crypto.
- Report to the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (USCIS) or your state's consumer protection office.
Why the word causes trouble
The word comes from Spanish. Connecticut's department explains that in many Latin American countries a notario is a highly trained lawyer, while in the U.S. a notary public is not a lawyer and has limited power. California's Attorney General says the same: in many Spanish-speaking nations notarios are powerful attorneys, but in the U.S. notaries are people authorized by state governments to witness the signing of documents. Washington's Attorney General described in 2011 how people use the title notario publico on business cards to suggest special legal training. The result is that someone with no authority to give immigration advice presents themselves as the expert.
What the person may and may not do
| Who | May give legal advice or represent you before USCIS or immigration court? |
|---|---|
| Licensed attorney | Yes |
| Accredited representative of a recognized organization | Yes, within the DOJ Recognition and Accreditation program (nonprofit, federally tax-exempt organizations only) |
| Notary public or “notario” | No. Only witnesses signatures. |
| Immigration consultant or “immigration assistant” | No. In Maryland, may provide only nonlegal help, with a written contract, and may not complete or file forms for you. |
Maryland's law library describes its state's rules for immigration consultants: a written contract with itemized fees, a chance to consult an attorney before signing, a right to cancel within 72 hours, a statement that the consultant is not licensed to practice law, and return of documents on request. It lists what a consultant may not do, such as complete or file forms, make false statements, collect fees for services not yet performed, or claim special influence with the government. State rules differ, so check yours.
Signs of the scam
- The person calls themselves a notario, notario publico or immigration consultant and offers advice (Connecticut).
- They ask you to sign blank forms.
- They ask for payment in cash or crypto, and will not give a receipt or a written agreement.
- They will not show a license or credential, or they keep your original passport or birth certificate.
- They found you on social media, or they promise to speed up your case for a fee. USCIS lists unsolicited messages, promises to expedite a case for fees and non-.gov addresses among its red flags.
How to find real help
- USCIS points to the Department of Justice's list of attorneys offering free or low-cost services and its roster of recognized organizations and accredited representatives (justice.gov/eoir). The American Bar Association also offers state directories.
- Ask for the person's bar number or accreditation and verify it yourself.
- Download forms from uscis.gov, not from a paid site. You do not need a representative to file.
- Keep copies of everything. Keep your originals.
If it already happened
Report to your state attorney general or consumer protection office, and to the FTC. Bad advice can damage an immigration case, so talk to a licensed attorney or accredited representative soon about what was filed in your name. Our reporting guide lists where to go.
Document fraud in immigration matters is separate: a false visa or permit can fall under 18 U.S.C. 1546, which has a ceiling of 10 years for a first or second offense not involving terrorism or drug trafficking; see federal law. Using a notario does not make a false document lawful.
Frequently asked questions
What is notario fraud?
Someone calls themselves a notario or notary public and offers to handle immigration forms or advice for a fee. In the U.S., a notary public is not a lawyer and may not give immigration legal advice. Bad advice can damage your case. Bad advice can cost people their applications, so the damage often outlasts the money lost.
Who can legally help with immigration forms?
Licensed attorneys and accredited representatives of recognized organizations may represent you before USCIS. USCIS also says you do not need a representative to file forms. USCIS adds that you do not need a representative to file forms, so the choice is yours and a helper is optional.
Are USCIS forms free?
Connecticut's consumer protection department says government forms from the U.S. government are free and you should never pay for them. USCIS directs people to its site and says you do not need a representative to file. Connecticut's department says forms from the U.S. government are free, and USCIS directs people to its own site for them.
How do I check if an immigration helper is authorized?
Ask for a bar number or DOJ accreditation and verify it. USCIS points to the Department of Justice's lists of attorneys and of recognized organizations and accredited representatives. The roster is public, so you can look up the organization and the person yourself instead of taking a card or an ad on trust.
Where do I report notario fraud?
To your state attorney general or consumer protection office and the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP or ReportFraud.ftc.gov. A licensed attorney can advise on what to do about forms already filed. Keep copies of everything you signed, and do not file anything further until a licensed adviser has reviewed what is already on record.
Sources and official links
- USCIS: avoid scams
- DOJ EOIR: recognition and accreditation program
- California Attorney General: consumer alert on notario fraud (June 27, 2025)
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection: notario fraud (June 18, 2026)
- Maryland People's Law Library: notario fraud
- Washington Attorney General: new tools to fight immigration fraud (2011)
- 18 U.S.C. 1546, fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents (Cornell LII)