{"id":352783,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/immigration-attorneys\/should-i-use-a-notario-for-my-immigration-case.html"},"modified":"2024-08-07T21:28:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T02:28:09","slug":"should-i-use-a-notario-for-my-immigration-case","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/immigration-attorneys\/should-i-use-a-notario-for-my-immigration-case.html","title":{"rendered":"Should I Use a Notario for My Immigration Case?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Should I Use a Notario for My Immigration Case?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Notarios are simply notaries public and are not allowed to give legal advice or prepare immigration forms. Relying on a notario can put your case at risk and expose you to immigration fraud.<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

For notaries in the United States, helping complete immigration forms is an unauthorized practice of law. This difference leads to some confusion among immigrants.<\/p>\n

There are many “immigration consultants” who falsely claim they can provide legal advice or services they are not qualified to deliver. Among them are “notarios.” The term can be misleading. In some countries, it implies they have the legal credentials to give legal advice. But in the United States, that isn’t the case.<\/p>\n

This article explains the role of notarios and will help protect you from scams.<\/p>\n

For accurate, up-to-date legal guidance, only licensed immigration attorneys<\/a> and authorized representatives are authorized to help with your immigration matters.<\/p>\n

What Is a Notario?<\/h2>\n

When you want to move to the United States or\u00a0adjust your immigration status<\/a>, it is crucial to identify reliable legal help. Notario (or notario publico) means “notary public” in Spanish.<\/p>\n

In Spanish countries, trained legal professionals known as notario publicos have the authority to:<\/p>\n