Immigration law in the United States is complex. Even a small mistake on an application can lead to denial of benefits, loss of status or deportation. That is why only licensed attorneys or U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)-accredited representatives are legally allowed to provide immigration legal services.
“Notarios” or “immigration consultants” can claim they can prepare paperwork, give legal advice or guarantee results. In many Latin American countries, a “notario público” is a trained lawyer, but in the U.S., the title has no legal standing.
Also Read: 4 Important Tips For Choosing an Immigration Attorney or Lawyer
This information is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney or accredited representative. The content was last updated September 2025.
In this guide, notarios refers to people who falsely present themselves as legal experts, it does not mean a U.S. notary public. A U.S. notary public can only verify identities and witness signatures. A notary public is not a lawyer and cannot give immigration advice or represent you.
Fraudulent providers take advantage of this confusion, charging high fees for services they are not authorized to perform. The outcome for immigrants can be severe: they may lose thousands of dollars, face denial of applications or even risk deportation because of false or mishandled filings.
According to Alexander Hu, a Senior Coordinating Attorney at the Immigrant Protection Unit of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), there is no guarantee that immigration authorities will recognize fraud and let someone reopen a case.
“Most of the time immigration officers will not be able to tell the difference between fraudulent and authentic submissions,” he said.
He added that victims should act quickly by getting legal help, reporting the fraud so they can find out what steps are needed to reduce the damage.
Here’s what you need to know about notarios in NYC:
- Only licensed attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives can provide immigration legal services.
- “Notarios” in the U.S. are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice.
- Always check an attorney’s state bar license or confirm DOJ accreditation for non-attorney representatives.
- Victims in New York can report fraud through 311; nationwide, complaints can be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Verify legitimate legal service providers
Before hiring anyone to help with your case, take the following steps:
- Confirm licensing or accreditation. Attorneys must be licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. state or territory. Ask to see their bar card, and confirm their standing with the state bar association. In New York, you can check if your attorney is licensed here.
- Check for DOJ accreditation. Non-attorney representatives must be accredited through the DOJ’s Recognition and Accreditation Program. You can search the official roster of accredited representatives and recognized organizations here.
- Research reputation. For nonprofits and community groups, verify their track record, history and whether they are recognized by the DOJ.
- Look for immigration specialists. Even licensed attorneys may lack expertise in immigration law. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) offers a directory of immigration attorneys at ailalawyer.com.
Common red flags
Signs that a provider may not be legitimate include:
- Offering guaranteed results
- Refusing to show proof of a law license or DOJ accreditation
- Asking you to sign blank forms. Never sign an immigration form that has empty sections. Scammers can fill in false information that will be legally attributed to you.
- Charging for government forms that are available for free at uscis.gov.
- Suggesting you falsify information to improve your case
“There can be many warning signs such as the provider refusing to explain the types of immigration relief that they are screening for and why a person may qualify for that relief,” said Hu.
“Other red flags include refusing to provide receipts or copies of contracts, retainers, payments, applications and forms, and refusing to explain or translate documents that the person is being asked to sign,” Hu added.
He noted that if a provider tells someone that they don’t need much information and that they will take care of the facts and statements, “this can be a warning sign that the provider is going to make fraudulent claims or misrepresentations on behalf of the person.”
Also Read: How To Protect Yourself From Immigration Fraud
Penalties for fraudulent providers
New York City has strong consumer protection laws to combat immigration services fraud. The city requires anyone providing nonlegal immigration services, such as translation or document assistance, to post clear signs that they are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. Violators can face fines and lawsuits.
Immigrants in New York, regardless of their immigration status, can file complaints with the New York State Attorney General’s Office. According to the office, it does not share information with federal immigration authorities when handling reports of notario fraud.
How to report suspected notario fraud
If you believe you have been a victim of immigration fraud, you can report it at both the local and federal level.
In New York City
- Call 311 and ask for the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) and say “immigration service provider” or file a complaint through the DCWP website.
- Call the Attorney General’s Immigration Fraud Hotline at 1-(800)-771-7755 or file a complaint here. The office will not inquire about your immigration status.
- You can call the New York State Office of New Americans Immigration Hotline at 1-(800)-566-7636 to report the fraud
Nationwide
- File a complaint with USCIS at uscis.gov/avoid-scams/report-immigration-scams.
- Report fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Community resources, such as Stop Notario Fraud, also offer reporting tools and support for victims.
What happens after you report
When a complaint is filed, local or federal agencies may investigate the provider. If fraud is confirmed, the individual or business can face fines, loss of license or criminal charges.
While reporting may not recover lost money or fix an immigration case, it can help protect others and strengthen your own position if your case was harmed by bad advice.
