Difference between Notario and Notary Public

WARNING:  In the United States, a “NOTARY” is not a “NOTARIO PUBLICO.”  
In the US, only a lawyer or BIA accredited representative can give legal advice.
 
In many Latin American countries, a “Notario” is a person who went to college and obtained a degree in law.  “Notarios” are authorized to give advice and legal help in these countries.
 
In the United States, a “Notary” does not have go to law school or college; a notary is NOT trained to help people with immigration.  Notaries are only allowed to verify the identity of the person signing a document.    
 
If you need immigration help, go to a lawyer or BIA representative.  A California Notary cannot legally write a legal document or file immigration forms for you.
 
Do not be fooled.  If you need help, find a qualified and authorized person to do it.  Do your homework and investigate the credentials of the person you ask for help.   
 
You can check if someone is a California licensed lawyer & whether they have a record of discipline at the California Bar Website:    http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/membersearch/quicksearch
 
You can check if someone is a BIA accredited representative at  https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognized-organizations-and-accredited-representatives-roster-state-and-city
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For more information, see https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams
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Author

Jenny Horne works on the Teen Parent Project and Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence Project. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and founded the Teen Parents Project as a Skadden fellow at Legal Aid in 1994. Prior to her fellowship, Jenny clerked for Judge Alfred Goodwin in the Ninth Circuit Court of  Appeals. In recognition of her excellent work, she was inducted into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame; received the Silver Award from the Peninsula Partnership Council’s first biannual Children’s Report Initiative in 2002; and in 1999, received a Commendation from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the San Mateo County Perinatal Council for services provided to San Mateo County school-age parents.