How to Choose a Trustworthy Green Card Service (2026)
Red flags of fake notarios and preparers, signs of a legitimate service, and where to verify or report with USCIS, the FTC and the Department of Justice.
📋 Informational · Not legal advice
This article is educational and based on public information from USCIS, the FTC and the Department of Justice, verified on October 26, 2026. MBO Immigration LLC (The Green Card Prep) is a document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. USCIS decides every case; timing and results vary.
Short answer: a trustworthy green card service tells you clearly what it is (attorney, accredited representative or document preparer), gives you a written price, never promises approval, never asks you to lie and tells you when you need an attorney. The most common fraud signs are a “notario” offering legal advice, approval guarantees, “contacts inside USCIS”, blank forms, and someone keeping your original documents. Verify through your state bar or the Department of Justice roster, and report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Who can do what
| Type | Legal advice? | Represents you before USCIS? | How to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration attorney | Yes | Yes (Form G-28) | State bar |
| Accredited representative (DOJ) | Yes, within a recognized organization | Yes | EOIR roster |
| Document preparer | No | No | Business registration; some states regulate them |
| ”Notario” in the U.S. | No | No | Only witnesses signatures and administers oaths |
Source: USCIS — who can help you.
9 red flags
| Red flag | Why it’s a problem |
|---|---|
| Presents as a “notario” who gives legal advice | In the U.S. a notary public is not an attorney and cannot provide immigration legal services |
| ”Guarantees” approval | No one controls the decision of USCIS or the consulate |
| Asks you to lie, backdate or invent documents | A false statement can cause a denial and even a permanent bar — and the responsibility is yours |
| Keeps your originals (passport, certificates) | Ask for copies; a serious service returns everything or works from copies |
| No written contract or price | Without paper you don’t know what’s included or what you paid for |
| Asks you to sign blank forms | USCIS advises never signing a blank form |
| Claims “a contact inside USCIS” | USCIS warns that paying for “connections” or to “jump the line” is a scam |
| Cash only, no receipts | There’s no record of what you paid or to whom |
| Won’t identify themselves in the preparer section | USCIS forms ask for the details of whoever prepared them; someone who refuses to give their name is hiding something |
Source: USCIS — common scams.
Signs of a legitimate service
- It tells you in writing whether it is an attorney, accredited representative or document preparer.
- It has a registered business you can look up in your state’s registry.
- It gives you a contract and a written price before starting.
- It explains that USCIS decides and does not promise outcomes.
- It tells you when your case needs an attorney (for example, entry without inspection, a prior removal, court cases, criminal history or a prior fraud finding).
- It gives you copies of everything filed and of USCIS notices.
- It lets you review every form before you sign it.
- Government fees are paid to USCIS, not “in cash to the preparer for USCIS”.
Where to verify and report
| You need to | Where |
|---|---|
| Learn how to avoid scams | USCIS — Avoid Scams |
| Report a scam | ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC) |
| Verify an accredited representative | Department of Justice EOIR roster |
| Find free or low-cost legal help | EOIR — find legal representation |
| Verify an attorney | The state bar of their state |
Some states regulate immigration consultants or document preparers (for example, California and New York have specific laws). Check with your state attorney general’s office.
If you already paid someone suspicious
- Ask for your original documents and copies of everything filed in your name.
- Check your case with your receipt number on USCIS case status.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general.
- Talk to an attorney or accredited representative, especially if false information was filed — that can affect your case and you need legal advice.
What we do
We don’t ask you to trust us just because we say so. Here’s what you can verify:
- MBO Immigration LLC is a registered company in Fairfield, Connecticut.
- Our website states clearly that we are not attorneys and do not give legal advice.
- We give you a fixed written price before we start.
- We do not promise approval.
- If your case shows signs of legal risk, we tell you that you need an attorney before we prepare anything.
Questions people ask AI
How do I know if a green card service is trustworthy?
Look for four things: it clearly says whether it is an attorney or a preparer, it gives you a written price and contract, it doesn’t promise approval and it never asks you to lie. Look the company up in the state registry and read real reviews.
Can notaries fill out my immigration forms?
In the U.S., a notary is not authorized to provide immigration legal services. For legal advice, find an attorney or a Department of Justice accredited representative.
Is it legal to use a document preparer?
A preparer can help you fill out forms but cannot give legal advice or represent you. USCIS encourages you to check your state’s rules on which services are allowed.
What do I do if someone promised me a green card and nothing happened?
Ask for your documents and receipts, check your case with USCIS, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and talk to an attorney.
Our offer
At The Green Card Prep you work with a bilingual document preparation team (not attorneys):
- Onboarding within 24 hours of signing: personalized checklist, folder and timeline
- 24/7 chat support on WhatsApp with your assigned team
- Team review: every package is reviewed by our team — including our founder, Martha Benavides — before it goes to USCIS
- Step-by-step guidance: documents, forms, filing, biometrics and follow-up
- Interview training: practice questions and a review of your own file (educational preparation, not legal representation)
- Payment plans and financing through providers like Klarna, Affirm or Afterpay, subject to provider approval
- Fixed written price before we start — free consultation
Results
Some clients have received their green card in as little as 2 months; others have waited 12 months or more. USCIS controls processing times — we don’t. Results vary by field office and each person’s immigration history.
Related articles
Frequently asked questions
Is a notary public in the U.S. an attorney? +
No. In many Latin American countries a notario is an attorney, but in the United States a notary public can only witness signatures and administer oaths. USCIS states that a notario público is not authorized to provide immigration legal services.
Who can give me immigration legal advice? +
Only an attorney licensed in a U.S. state or an accredited representative of the Department of Justice working for a recognized organization. A document preparer can help you fill out forms but cannot give legal advice or represent you.
Can anyone guarantee my green card approval? +
No. USCIS and the consulate decide every case. Be wary of anyone who guarantees approval or says they have a contact inside USCIS.
Where do I report an immigration scam? +
You can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and USCIS has a page with resources to avoid and report scams. You can also contact your state attorney general.
How do I check whether someone is an attorney? +
Look up their name with the state bar where they claim to be licensed. For accredited representatives, check the Department of Justice (EOIR) roster.
Is it okay to sign a blank form if the preparer fills it in later? +
No. USCIS advises never signing a blank form and checking that everything is complete and true before you sign. You are responsible for what you sign.