Trustworthy legal help

General information, not legal advice. Data reviewed on October 10, 2026.

What it is

You can fill out and file your USCIS forms yourself. But if you need immigration legal advice, only these people can give it:

• A lawyer with an active license in any U.S. state (or D.C.).
• A representative accredited by the Department of Justice (EOIR). They are not lawyers, but they are authorized. They must work for a recognized non-profit organization.
• A law student or graduate, only under the supervision of a lawyer or accredited representative.

A "notary public" in the U.S. is NOT a lawyer. They can only witness signatures and give oaths. They cannot advise you or tell you which form to use.

Official sources: USCIS · Legal services ↗ · EOIR · Accredited representatives ↗ · USCIS · Common scams ↗ · eCFR · Who may represent (8 CFR 292.1) ↗

Who

Before you pay, check:

• Lawyer: ask for their license and confirm it with the state bar where they are licensed.
• Accredited representative: look them up on EOIR's official roster of recognized organizations and accredited representatives (by state). Accreditation lasts 3 years and must be renewed.
• Make sure they are not on EOIR's list of currently disciplined practitioners.

Free help: every 3 months EOIR publishes a list of pro bono (free) legal service providers by immigration court. It is mainly for people with a case in immigration court.

Official sources: EOIR · Accredited roster by state ↗ · EOIR · Disciplined practitioners ↗ · EOIR · Pro bono provider list ↗ · USCIS · Legal services ↗ · EOIR · Accredited representatives ↗

How

1. Download forms only from uscis.gov. They are free.
2. Ask for a written contract and receipts. Keep copies of everything.
3. Keep your original documents.
4. Your lawyer or representative must file a notice that they represent you, signed by you: Form G-28 if your case is with USCIS, or Form EOIR-28 if your case is in immigration court.

Official sources: USCIS · All forms (free) ↗ · FTC · Avoid immigration scams ↗ · USCIS · Legal services ↗

How much it costs

• USCIS and immigration court forms: free. You only pay the government fee, if there is one.
• Pro bono providers: free (they may only charge costs like copies or mailing).
• Recognized organizations: may charge, but must offer reduced fees to low-income people.
• Someone who is not a lawyer or accredited representative (for example, a "preparer" or "gestor") may NOT give you legal advice, tell you which form to use or what to answer, or represent you. According to USCIS, they may only charge you a nominal fee. Many states have stricter rules for these businesses.

Official sources: USCIS · All forms (free) ↗ · EOIR · Pro bono provider list ↗ · EOIR · Accreditation FAQs ↗ · USCIS · Legal services ↗

Deadlines

• TPS: to re-register, do not pay or send anything before the official Federal Register notice for your country comes out. Once it is out, check the deadline at uscis.gov/tps and do not miss it.
• If you were scammed, report it as soon as possible.

Official sources: USCIS · Common scams ↗ · USCIS · Report immigration scams ↗

Watch out

Scam warning signs:

• They "guarantee" the result or say they have "connections" in the government.
• They charge you for forms.
• They ask you to pay with gift cards, crypto, Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, or Venmo.
• They keep your original documents or ask you to sign blank forms.
• They say that because you have lived here 10 years, or have a U.S. citizen child, they can get you papers. This is a known scam: they file an asylum application in your name with no basis so you are sent to immigration court, and that can end in a deportation order.

Fake calls: in 2026 USCIS warned about calls from people posing as USCIS. They can make a government number show on your screen. USCIS never asks you to pay by phone and does not contact you through your social media. ICE and USCIS do not call out of the blue to demand money. Hang up and call the official USCIS line: 800-375-5283 (automated, 24 hours, English and Spanish).

How to report (it is free and, according to USCIS, it does not affect your case):

• FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Spanish: ReporteFraude.ftc.gov).
• Your state's consumer protection office or attorney general. USCIS has a state-by-state table, but it is from 2020: confirm the contact on your state's official website.
• Police, if you lost money.
• Fake USCIS emails or websites: USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov.
• A lawyer who acted wrongly: the state bar where they are licensed.
• A lawyer or accredited representative who acted wrongly in a USCIS matter: Form EOIR-44 or a written complaint to DisciplinaryCounsel@uscis.dhs.gov.

Official sources: USCIS · Common scams ↗ · USCIS · Scam call alert ↗ · FTC · Fake immigration officers ↗ · EOIR · Fraud prevention program ↗ · USCIS · Report immigration scams ↗ · FTC · Immigration scams (Spanish) ↗ · USCIS · Contact Center ↗ · USCIS · Legal services ↗