A Notary Is Not A Lawyer
Md. Code, State Gov't § 18-224 — no notario unless a licensed attorney, and the statement in every language an advertisement uses
In Maryland, a commission as notary public does not authorize an individual to do any of the following, or to receive compensation for doing any of them.
- Assisting a person in drafting legal records, giving legal advice, or otherwise practicing law.
- Acting as an immigration consultant or an expert on immigration matters.
- Representing a person in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to immigration to the United States, United States citizenship, or related matters.
The word notario. A notary public may not use the term notario or notario publico unless the notary is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State. A notary may not engage in false or deceptive advertising, and may not advertise or represent that the notary may assist in drafting legal records, give legal advice or otherwise practice law, unless a licensed attorney.
The statement. A notary who is not a licensed attorney and in any manner advertises or represents, orally or in a record, including broadcast media, print media and the Internet, that the notary offers notarial services includes this statement, or an alternate one the Secretary of State authorizes or requires: I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this State. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities. It appears prominently and in each language the advertisement or representation uses. Where another form of advertisement is too small to hold it, it is displayed or provided at the place of the notarial act before the act is performed.
The original record. Except as otherwise allowed by law, a notary public may not withhold access to or possession of an original record provided by a person who seeks a notarial act from the notary.
How a notary is commissioned in Maryland, what a notarial act requires, remote notarization, fees, and what follows a violation are not on this page. Nor does this page cover who may lawfully assist with an immigration matter, which is a federal question. Whether a particular person's help crossed the line is a question for a licensed Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, State Gov't § 18-224 — What a notary commission does not authorize; notario; advertising
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.