The full explanation
It is not the same as a "notario público" in many Latin American countries, where the title means someone with the equivalent of a law license. Here, a notary who is not a lawyer cannot give you legal advice or help you with immigration paperwork. Some states, such as Oregon, forbid them from advertising as a "notario" or "notario público".
An example
At closing, Pedro signs his deed of trust in front of a notary, who verifies his identity and signature. When a neighbor recommends a "notario" for his immigration case, Pedro remembers that in the United States a notary is not a lawyer and looks for authorized help instead.
You will see it in…
- Documents you sign at closing, such as the deed of trust
- “Notario” ads that offer help with immigration paperwork
- A notary's signature and stamp on legal documents
