A new Florida law is changing the rules for people who offer immigration-related services while presenting themselves as notaries. The legislation, which took effect on July 1, 2025, aims to prevent consumers—particularly immigrants—from confusing a notary public with a licensed attorney or an authorized immigration professional.
The change is especially relevant in communities with large immigrant populations, including Central Florida, where notaries may regularly handle documents connected to immigration, powers of attorney, affidavits and other important legal paperwork.
Florida Passes a New Law to Protect Consumers
In May 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 915, officially titled Advertisements for Representation Services, into law. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Johanna López of Orlando and became Chapter 2025-82 of the Florida Laws, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.
One of the law’s central provisions addresses how certain notaries can advertise themselves.
A notary public who is not an attorney may no longer use terms such as “notario público,” “notario,” “immigration consultant,” “immigration assistant” or “immigration specialist” in circumstances covered by the law.
The legislation also establishes a civil cause of action that can allow affected consumers to seek declaratory or injunctive relief, damages, attorney fees and costs in qualifying cases.
The law goes beyond advertising by also addressing businesses and individuals who offer immigration services without the appropriate authorization. In certain circumstances, they must display a conspicuous notice explaining that they are not accredited to represent people in immigration matters, are not licensed to practice law and cannot provide legal advice.
Why “Notary Public” and “Notario Público” Are Not the Same Thing
The distinction may seem like a matter of translation, but it can have serious consequences.
In the United States, a notary public is authorized to perform specific notarial acts, such as verifying a signer’s identity, witnessing signatures and administering oaths, depending on state law.
In many Latin American countries, however, the term “notario público” refers to a legal professional with substantially broader responsibilities and legal authority. The Florida Bar has specifically highlighted this difference as one of the reasons the legislation was introduced.
That difference can create confusion for someone who is looking for help with an immigration matter.
A person may see the words “notario público” and reasonably believe they are dealing with someone who can provide legal advice, prepare an immigration case or represent them before immigration authorities.
But notarizing a document and providing legal representation are two very different services.
The new Florida law is intended, in part, to make that distinction harder to misunderstand.
What the New Rules Mean for Notaries and Their Clients
The legislation does not mean that notaries cannot work with documents related to immigration.
Notaries can still perform notarial acts when those acts are legally authorized. The important distinction is what the notary is actually doing.
A notary may be able to verify a signature or administer an oath on an immigration-related document, for example. That does not mean the notary can determine which immigration form someone should file, advise them about their legal options or represent them in an immigration proceeding.
Those activities can constitute the practice of law and require the appropriate legal authorization.
For consumers, the distinction is important because choosing the wrong professional can have consequences far beyond paying for an unnecessary service. Immigration documents can affect a person’s ability to remain in the United States, obtain a benefit or proceed with an important legal case.
Florida’s new law therefore focuses not only on what professionals can do, but also on how they represent their services to the public.
How to Protect Yourself When Hiring a Notary
The safest approach is to start by identifying exactly what service you need.
If you need a document notarized, look for a qualified notary public who can perform the specific notarial act required.
If you need legal advice about an immigration matter, however, you should seek an appropriately authorized immigration attorney or accredited representative.
Before hiring someone, consider asking:
- Are you a notary public or an attorney?
- Are you providing notarization, or legal advice?
- What exactly is included in the service?
- If this concerns immigration, are you authorized to provide immigration legal services?
It is also worth being cautious when a professional’s advertising makes broad promises about obtaining immigration benefits or resolving a legal case.
For people who primarily speak Spanish or another language, it is particularly important to remember that a translated professional title does not necessarily carry the same legal meaning in the United States.
Understanding the Difference Can Protect Your Documents
Florida’s new rules reflect a broader issue in the notarial industry: consumers need to understand exactly what a professional is—and is not—authorized to do.
A notary plays an important role in verifying identities, witnessing signatures and carrying out other authorized notarial acts. But that role should not be confused with that of an attorney.
For anyone dealing with immigration documents or other important paperwork, knowing the difference is an important first step toward protecting both the document and the person signing it.
And when notarization is what you need, working with a professional who clearly explains the service being provided can make the process simpler, safer and more transparent.
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