Notary Services in Austin, and Why a Notary Is Not a Lawyer
The Law Offices of Michael Ponder offers notary services at our South Austin office. We also want every family we serve to understand something that has cost thousands of immigrants their money, their time, and sometimes their future in this country: in the United States, a notary is not a lawyer.
Our Notary Services
We can notarize documents such as:
Affidavits and sworn statements
Powers of attorney, including documents that let a trusted person care for your children
Travel consent letters for minors traveling with one parent or without parents
Letters and statements that a school, bank, employer, or foreign government asks you to have notarized
Other documents that require a notary’s signature and seal
What to bring:
A valid, unexpired government photo ID (passport, driver license, state ID, or consular ID)
The document, unsigned. You must sign in front of the notary.
Every person who needs to sign, with their own ID
Fees: Our notary fees are set by the State of Texas.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. Call (512) 300-0810.
A helpful tip: many immigration documents do not need to be notarized. USCIS generally accepts signed statements and requires certified translations, not notarized ones. If you’re not sure whether your document needs a notary, ask us before you pay anyone.
What a Notary Public Can and Cannot Do
In Texas, a notary public is a person commissioned by the state to act as an official, impartial witness. A notary can:
Verify your identity
Watch you sign a document
Administer an oath
Stamp and sign the document to show it was signed properly
A notary public who is not a lawyer cannot:
Give legal advice
Tell you which immigration form to file or whether you qualify
Fill out immigration forms for you and choose your answers
Represent you before USCIS, an immigration court, or a consulate
Charge you for legal services
Texas law makes it a crime for a notary to claim or suggest that they are a licensed attorney.
Why “Notario” Causes So Much Confusion
In Mexico and much of Latin America, a notario público is a highly trained lawyer with special government authority. People reasonably assume a “notario” in the United States is the same.
It is not. In the United States, a notary is simply an official witness to signatures. Some dishonest people take advantage of this confusion. They put “notario” on a sign, take money for “immigration services,” and leave families worse off than before.
Warning Signs of Notario Fraud
Be careful if someone who is not a licensed attorney:
Calls themselves a “notario,” “consultor de inmigración,” or “immigration expert”
Promises a green card, work permit, or “papeles” quickly or for certain
Talks about a “new law” or a special program that nobody else seems to know about
Asks you to sign blank forms or forms you don’t understand
Keeps your original documents
Won’t give you copies of what was filed
Asks you to pay in cash with no receipt
Some of the most serious harm happens when a notario files an application that doesn’t fit the person’s situation. For example, an asylum application filed only to get a work permit can put a person into deportation proceedings.
Who Can Legally Help With Your Immigration Case
Only two kinds of people can legally give you immigration advice and represent you:
A licensed attorney. You can check any Texas attorney’s license with the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com.
A DOJ accredited representative working for a recognized nonprofit organization. The Department of Justice publishes a list of recognized organizations and accredited representatives.
Attorney Michael Ponder has practiced immigration law since 2005 and is licensed in Texas. He speaks Spanish fluently, so you never need an interpreter to understand your own case.
Already Worked With a Notario?
Many of our clients came to us after a notario or “consultant” filed something for them. If that happened to you, don’t panic, and don’t file anything else yet. Bring every paper you have, including receipts, copies, and USCIS notices. We’ll review what was filed and tell you honestly where you stand and what can be done.
You can also report notario fraud to the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a notary the same as a lawyer?
No. In the United States, a notary is an official witness to signatures. Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ accredited representative can give you legal advice about immigration.
Can a notary fill out my immigration forms?
A notary who is not a lawyer may not give legal advice or decide what goes on your forms. Choosing the right form and the right answers is legal advice.
Do my immigration documents need to be notarized?
Usually not. Most USCIS forms and supporting statements do not need a notary. Translations must be certified, not notarized. Ask us before paying for a notarization you may not need.
Do you notarize documents in Spanish?
Yes. Our whole team speaks Spanish.
I paid a notario and nothing happened. What can I do?
Schedule a consultation and bring everything you have. We’ll find out what, if anything, was filed and give you your options.
Need a document notarized or a second opinion on what a notario told you?
Call (512) 300-0810 or schedule online. Paid consultations are $75.