Notario
We believe it is important for immigrants, and those providing services to immigrants, to understand the legal requirements for providing those services. The information below is taken from the Indiana secretary of state notary guide, which can be found by clicking the button below.
Fraudulent Advertising and Notario Publico Law
A person who knowingly or intentionally advertises using the title notary public without
including the prescribe notary statement required by Indiana law in the advertisement, on a
business card or on the person’s letterhead, or advertises or claims to be an expert on
immigration matters without being a designated entity or who accepts payment in exchange for
providing legal advice or any other assistance that requires legal analysis, legal judgment, or
interpretation of the law commits “notario publico deception.”
(See Indiana Code 33-42-13-3).
Notario publico deception, a Class A misdemeanor, is fraudulent advertising or
misrepresentation by a notary who is not an attorney in good standing and admitted to practice
law in Indiana.
It is illegal for a notary public in Indiana who is not an attorney to advertise
without including in the advertisement the following statement: “I am not an attorney licensed to
practice law in Indiana.
I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters,
including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.” If this statement is required to be
made in a written advertisement, it must appear in a conspicuous size.
If the notary statement is required to be made in a spoken advertisement, it must be spoken at normal speed and at a
normal volume.
A person who knowingly or intentionally advertises using the title notary public without
including the prescribe notary statement required by Indiana law in the advertisement, on a
business card or on the person’s letterhead, or advertises or claims to be an expert on
immigration matters without being a designated entity or who accepts payment in exchange for
providing legal advice or any other assistance that requires legal analysis, legal judgment, or
interpretation of the law commits “notario publico deception.”
(See Indiana Code 33-42-13-3).
Notario publico deception, a Class A misdemeanor, is fraudulent advertising or
misrepresentation by a notary who is not an attorney in good standing and admitted to practice
law in Indiana.
It is illegal for a notary public in Indiana who is not an attorney to advertise
without including in the advertisement the following statement: “I am not an attorney licensed to
practice law in Indiana.
I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters,
including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.” If this statement is required to be
made in a written advertisement, it must appear in a conspicuous size.
If the notary statement is required to be made in a spoken advertisement, it must be spoken at normal speed and at a
normal volume.