Question

How do I know if it is a notario scam?

In the United States a notary public cannot give immigration legal advice. Warning signs: promises results, charges for free forms, asks you to sign blank forms or gives no copies. In New Jersey, report it to Consumer Affairs.

Paso Libre editorial team

Reviewed September 29, 2026 · Educational information, not legal advice

The warning signs USCIS publishes

On its common-scams page, USCIS says only an attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can give you legal advice and represent you.

Ask for receipts, copies of USCIS letters and of the forms prepared for you.
Do not sign a blank form. Review it in full before you sign.
Do not sign anything with false information.
Do not pay for the forms: they are free at uscis.gov.
Distrust anyone who promises a visa or a green card sooner for a fee.

In New Jersey

The State of New Jersey says: to report immigration scams, call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 or visit njconsumeraffairs.gov. They take reports regardless of your immigration status.

In 2018 the Attorney General acted against 28 New Jersey businesses offering immigration services without authorization. This happens here, not far away.

What Paso Libre is, and is not

Paso Libre is software: you fill in your USCIS form in Spanish from your answers, review it, sign it by hand and mail it yourself. You see the price before you start.

It is not a law firm or a notario. It gives no legal advice, does not assess your case, promises no outcome and mails nothing to USCIS for you.

Official sources

Common scams — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
Where to report scams by state — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
Avoid immigration services fraud — State of New Jersey ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
Action against 28 “notarios” — New Jersey Attorney General (2018) ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
Find legal services — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
Accredited representatives — Department of Justice ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026

Also useful

How do I know if it is a notario scam?

Paso Libre editorial team

Reviewed September 29, 2026 · Educational information, not legal advice

The warning signs USCIS publishes

On its common-scams page, USCIS says only an attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can give you legal advice and represent you.

Ask for receipts, copies of USCIS letters and of the forms prepared for you.
Do not sign a blank form. Review it in full before you sign.
Do not sign anything with false information.
Do not pay for the forms: they are free at uscis.gov.
Distrust anyone who promises a visa or a green card sooner for a fee.

In New Jersey

In 2018 the Attorney General acted against 28 New Jersey businesses offering immigration services without authorization. This happens here, not far away.

What Paso Libre is, and is not

Paso Libre is software: you fill in your USCIS form in Spanish from your answers, review it, sign it by hand and mail it yourself. You see the price before you start.

It is not a law firm or a notario. It gives no legal advice, does not assess your case, promises no outcome and mails nothing to USCIS for you.