Notario fraud
Immigration fraud in which a notary public presents as qualified to give immigration legal help. In the US a notary public is not an attorney and cannot represent you in immigration matters.
The trick relies on a difference between countries. USCIS explains that in some foreign countries a notario or notario publico is an attorney with special legal credentials. In the United States a notary public is not an attorney and cannot represent you in legal matters, including immigration cases. Someone who uses the word to suggest legal expertise is trading on that confusion.
USCIS also says that some people pretend to be immigration experts or claim special connections to the government. The agency states that you do not need a representative to file forms with USCIS and may represent yourself. If you do want one, only certain people can represent you before USCIS: an attorney in good standing of a US bar, an accredited representative working for an organisation on the Justice Department’s recognised list, a law student or graduate supervised by a licensed attorney or accredited representative, and in limited cases a foreign attorney for matters outside the United States.
If someone offers immigration help, ask whether they are a licensed attorney or an accredited representative, and check that independently before paying anything or handing over documents.
Where it shows up
- Immigration and visa scams · The fee is the smallest thing that gets taken.
Sources
- Legal Services. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Accessed 2026-10-10. Supports: That notarios are attorneys in some foreign countries but notary publics in the US are not, who may represent you before USCIS, and that you may file forms yourself.