Information for Immigration Assistance Providers




Effective July 1, 2007, the Registration of Immigration Assistance Act, O.C.G.A. Sections 43-20A-1 through 43-20A-4, creates new requirements for persons offering "immigration assistance service," including licensure by the Secretary of State and certain informational signage, and prohibits those persons from conducting certain activities.

Under the Act, 'immigration assistance service' is defined to mean "any information or action provided or offered to customers or prospective customers related to immigration matters, excluding legal advice, recommending a specific course of legal action or providing any other assistance that requires legal analysis, legal judgment, or interpretation of the law." (A copy of the entire law may be obtained from the Secretary of State's Securities and Business Regulation Division or through this link.)

The Act provides for certain exemptions from its provisions, including attorneys and their paralegals and certain non-profit organizations, as more fully described in the Act.

The Secretary of State's office is currently promulgating rules and regulations to fully implement the Act's provisions. In the meantime, persons who are covered by the Act should complete the Request for Immigration Assistance Service License Application and submit it to the Secretary of State. The form may be obtained online through the link below or by contacting the Secretary of State's Securities and Business Regulation Division.

Please contact the Securities and Business Regulation Division at 404-656-3920 if you have any questions.

Full text of the Registration of Immigration Assistance Act, O.C.G.A. Sections 43-20A-1 through 43-20A-4

 Download the Request for Immigration Assistance Service License Application (Adobe Acrobat format)