A new Florida law aims to prevent deceptive immigration advice by clarifying regulations about who can legally offer such services, targeting public notaries who advertise in languages other than English.
House Bill 915, signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, requires non-attorney public notaries who promote their services in languages besides English to clearly inform clients that they are not licensed lawyers in Florida and cannot provide legal advice or charge fees for legal counseling. The notification must be prominently displayed in both English and the advertised language.
Under this new statute, which goes into effect on July 1, 2025, notaries cannot use translations of "notary public" or terms suggesting legal expertise, including phrases like "notario público," "immigration consultant," or "immigration specialist." The law specifically targets deceptive advertisements that may confuse individuals, particularly within immigrant communities, where "notario" traditionally implies a licensed attorney in many Latin American countries.
Violations of these new regulations could result in civil lawsuits, allowing affected individuals to seek injunctions, recover actual damages, and obtain reimbursement for attorney fees and costs.
Advocates believe the legislation is crucial for preventing scams and clarifying roles, protecting vulnerable populations from misleading claims of legal expertise. The legislation emerged from concerns about rising incidents of immigration fraud, particularly involving non-attorney notaries misrepresenting their qualifications.
Businesses offering immigration services who aren't licensed attorneys or federally permitted immigration representatives must also post clear disclaimers on their websites and physical locations, reinforcing transparency about their non-legal status.
The Florida Legislature passed the law unanimously, reflecting bipartisan support for efforts to protect consumers from potential exploitation and fraud in immigration-related services.
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