COMMUNITY GUIDE · NOVEMBER 4, 2026
How to check who can give immigration advice
Before paying a fee or sharing documents, ask for the name of the person who will give the legal advice and the organization where they work.
If you are contacting a nonprofit
Ask whether an attorney or a Department of Justice accredited representative will handle your matter. Use the federal roster to look up both the organization and the representative. Ask which services the representative is authorized to provide.
If someone offers to fill out forms
Translation and legal advice are different services. A notario or visa consultant title alone does not authorize someone to represent you in immigration court. Ask who will sign the agreement and who will appear with you if a hearing is involved.
Sources and contacts
DOJ guide to legal representation