Who may give immigration legal advice

This lesson explains who the ImmigrationHelp guides say may give immigration legal advice in the United States. The guides were last updated on 2026-10-20. Rules and registers change, so check the official pages named below before you act.

What the guides say

The guides say that two kinds of people may give you immigration legal advice. The first is a lawyer licensed in a US state. The second is a DOJ-accredited representative who works for a DOJ-recognized organization.

The guides also say that a notario or an immigration consultant is not a lawyer and cannot represent you.

Why the word notario causes trouble

In many Latin American countries, a notario publico is a legal professional. The guides say that in the United States a notary public is only a witness. They say that fraud operators use the title notario to look like lawyers. A title on a sign or a business card proves nothing. A register can show more.

What this directory lists

This directory lists only providers that a DOJ source names. It does not list notarios or unlicensed consultants. It is a directory. It is not a law firm. Using it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and a listing is not a recommendation.

What this course does not do

This course does not say which form to file, which case type fits you or what will happen in your case. Nobody here can answer that. Ask a licensed lawyer or a DOJ-accredited representative.

Check before you pay, sign or share

The guides say to check a provider on the register before you pay, before you sign anything and before you share personal information. Lesson 2 shows where the registers are.

Sources

• ImmigrationHelp guide: Immigration legal help in the United States, updated 2026-10-20
• ImmigrationHelp guide: Common immigration help mistakes to avoid, updated 2026-10-20

This course is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice.