A Notary Is Not A Lawyer
N.J.S.A. 52:7-11 — no title of lawyer in any language, and a notice with every advertisement
In New Jersey, the State Treasurer commissions notaries public for terms of five years, on an application endorsed by a member of the Legislature. The application form tells every applicant that a notary public who is not licensed as an attorney-at-law may not use or advertise the title of lawyer or attorney-at-law, or equivalent terms in any language, that mean or imply a license to practice law in New Jersey or any other jurisdiction of the United States.
The notice. A notary public who advertises notary services in any language provides with the advertisement a notice, in the language of the advertisement, with this statement or its translation: I am not an attorney licensed to practice law and may not give legal advice about immigration or any other legal matter or accept fees for legal advice.
| The conduct | What it is |
|---|---|
| The conductKnowingly engaging in the unauthorized practice of law | What it isA crime of the fourth degree |
| The conductDoing so while creating or reinforcing a false impression of being licensed, including by using or advertising the title of lawyer or attorney-at-law or equivalent terms in any language, or while deriving a benefit, or in fact causing injury to another | What it isA crime of the third degree |
| The conductAn immigration consultant not licensed as an attorney who engages in the practice of law | What it isA crime of the fourth degree |
| The conductAn immigration consultant not licensed as an attorney who holds out as entitled to practice law or give legal advice in an immigration or naturalization matter, or who uses the title of lawyer or its equivalent in any language | What it isA crime of the third degree |
| The conductKnowingly keeping another person's immigration-related document for more than a reasonable time after a written request for its return | What it isA crime of the fourth degree |
When a notary may refuse. A notarial officer may refuse to perform a notarial act if not satisfied that the individual executing the record is competent or has the capacity to execute it, that the signature is knowingly and voluntarily made, or that the signature and physical appearance substantially conform to the identification used.
Accredited representatives. The immigration consultant section does not prohibit a person accredited as a representative under federal law from providing immigration services.
How a notarial act is performed, remote notarization, and the fees a notary may charge are set elsewhere and are not on this page. Nor does this page cover who may lawfully assist with an immigration matter under the federal accreditation system. Whether a particular person's help crossed the line is a question for a licensed New Jersey attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- N.J.S.A. 52:7-11 — Commission; term; application; renewal
- N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22 — Unauthorized practice of law, penalties
- N.J.S.A. 2C:21-31 — Unauthorized practice of immigration law; penalties
- N.J.S.A. 52:7-10.17 — Authority to refuse to perform notarial act
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Jersey attorney.