Form EOIR-31A Clean 2019

U.S. Department of Justice
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Office of Legal Access Programs

OMB#1125-0013
Request by Organization for Accreditation or Renewal
of Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representative

INSTRUCTIONS

Purpose of Form
Initial Accreditation
The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) Program, may authorize a
non-attorney (“Accredited Representative”) to practice immigration law. Only a DOJ Recognized Organization
(or an organization that is concurrently applying for DOJ Recognition on Form EOIR-31) may request
accreditation on behalf of its proposed representative(s). To do so, the organization must submit this Form EOIR31A with supporting documentation to the Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP). An Accredited
Representative must be an employee or volunteer of the organization and satisfy the eligibility criteria found at
8 C.F.R. § 1292.12. If OLAP approves the accreditation application, the Accredited Representative will be
authorized to represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), if partially accredited, or
before both DHS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (the immigration courts and the Board of
Immigration Appeals (BIA)), if fully accredited. Accreditation is tied to the Recognized Organization that
submitted the application, so the Accredited Representative may only provide immigration legal services out of
that Recognized Organization’s approved office(s).
An organization must submit a separate request for accreditation (Form EOIR-31A) for each proposed
representative. If the proposed representative intends to work for more than one Recognized Organization, each
organization must submit a separate Form EOIR-31A on the representative’s behalf.
Example 1: Joe works part-time for Immigration Organization and part-time for Help for Immigrants, two distinct
legal entities. Both entities must submit separate Forms EOIR-31A on Joe’s behalf.
Example 2: Joe works for Immigration Organization with offices in City A, City B, and City C. Joe intends to work
out of all three locations. Each office was recognized separately and has not obtained Extension of Recognition
(see Form EOIR-31 Instructions). Even though the offices are part of the same legal entity, due to their separate
DOJ Recognition, OLAP treats them as independent organizations for R&A purposes. Each location must submit
a separate Form EOIR-31A on Joe’s behalf, for a total of three application packets.
Example 3: Joe works for Immigration Organization with offices in City A, City B, and City C. Joe intends to work
out of all three locations. Immigration Organization has obtained extension of recognition, such that the office in
City A is the principal office and the offices in City B and City C are its subordinates. Immigration Organization
only needs to submit one Form EOIR-31A on Joe’s behalf.
Renewal of Accreditation
Accreditation is valid for a period of three years from the date of approval. Prior to accreditation expiration, a
Recognized Organization must submit this form to apply for renewal on behalf of its Accredited Representative. An
organization must submit a separate request for renewal of accreditation for each Accredited Representative,
according to his or her expiration date. An Accredited Representative may continue to provide immigration legal
services while a timely submitted Form EOIR-31A is pending.
A Recognized Organization does not have to apply for renewal of recognition merely because it is applying for
renewal of accreditation for one of its representatives. The two renewal schedules run independently of each other;
however, if the expiration dates happen to coincide, the Recognized Organization may submit the renewal
applications concurrently.
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Change of Accreditation Type
At any time, a Recognized Organization may request a change to an Accredited Representative’s type of
accreditation. This includes a change from full accreditation to partial accreditation or vice versa.

How to Complete
Part 1. Non-Attorney Representative Information
Provide the representative’s complete name and any other names used. Also provide the representative’s daytime
phone number and email address.
Check the appropriate box(es) for the type(s) of accreditation requested.
•

Initial accreditation: Check this box if your organization:
o Has never requested accreditation for the representative;
o Previously requested accreditation for the representative and was disapproved; or
o Previously obtained accreditation for the representative but the representative is no longer accredited
because of expiration of accreditation, lapse in employment, or other circumstances.
Also indicate whether your organization seeks partial or full accreditation. Partial accreditation authorizes an
Accredited Representative to appear before DHS, while full accreditation authorizes an Accredited
Representative to appear before both DHS and EOIR (the immigration courts and the BIA). Refer to the
instructions under Part 2.B. below for information regarding the additional documentation that must
accompany an application for full accreditation.

•

Renewal of accreditation: Check this box if your representative is currently accredited and his or her
accreditation is expiring. Expiration dates may be found on the R&A Rosters or by consulting the
representative’s accreditation approval letter. Enter your representative’s accreditation expiration date in the
space provided.

OLAP recommends that organizations apply for renewal of a representative’s accreditation three months prior to
expiration. Nevertheless, an application submitted by the expiration date will be timely. A representative’s
accreditation will remain valid pending OLAP’s determination.
•

Change of accreditation type: An organization may request at any time a change of accreditation type, whether
from full to partial accreditation or partial to full accreditation.
o A change from full to partial accreditation does not require the submission of Form EOIR-31A; instead,
the organization’s Authorized Officer may request the change via email or mail. However, if the change
is requested in conjunction with the renewal of the representative’s accreditation, then the organization
must submit Form EOIR-31A.
o A change from partial to full accreditation does require the submission of Form EOIR-31A and is
treated like an accreditation renewal application. Therefore, the organization should submit documentation
supporting both eligibility for full accreditation and for renewal of accreditation.

Provide the name of the organization requesting accreditation and its website. Check the appropriate box to
indicate whether the organization is currently DOJ Recognized or not. Only a Recognized Organization may
obtain accreditation on behalf of an individual. If the organization is not recognized, it must submit a concurrent
EOIR-31 application packet with this application.
List the address(es) of any of the organization’s office locations where the representative works or intends to
work. Attach additional sheets if necessary.
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Part 2. Qualifications for Accreditation
A. About the Representative
An attorney who is eligible to practice law in the United States does not qualify for DOJ Accreditation. See 8 C.F.R.
§ 1001.1(f) for the definition of attorney. Check the appropriate box indicating whether or not the representative
meets this definition.
Check the appropriate box to indicate what the representative’s status is with your organization, whether an
employee, volunteer, or other. If the representative is affiliated with your organization but not as an employee or
volunteer, check the “Other” box and provide an explanation. The résumé or other description of the
representative’s qualifications should reflect how frequently the representative has worked with your
organization’s immigration legal services program.
Use the spaces provided, attaching additional sheets if necessary, to describe any previous applications that have
been submitted to the R&A Program on this representative’s behalf. Include all applications ever submitted,
whether by your organization or any other. For each application, list the date submitted, the name of the applicant
organization, and the outcome of the application. If the representative is no longer affiliated with any of the
organizations listed, indicate his or her reason for leaving.
B. Representative’s Knowledge and Experience
Partial Accreditation
A representative must possess broad knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law and procedure in
order to be accredited by the DOJ. Your organization should indicate whether it believes that the representative
meets this requirement and submit the proof described in 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(c). If the answer is “no” or you are
unsure, you should attach an explanation providing more information. The regulations require that your
organization submit all of the documents listed below.
•

Description of qualifications: Submit a description of the representative’s qualifications to practice
immigration law, including education and experience. Provide relevant details such as dates, durations,
locations, and duties assigned.

•

Training: Submit a list of the immigration-related training the representative has attended, indicating the title
of the training, the provider’s name, date(s) and duration of the training, the names and titles of presenters,
the topics covered, whether the training was attended in person or through other means, and whether the
training was open to the public. Also submit documentation, such as certificates, showing that the
representative has completed the listed training. Training must be formal; it should be preplanned, rather than
impromptu, and taught by a qualified instructor. The purpose of the training should be to educate attendees
on specific aspects of immigration law and procedure. Training in non-immigration law topics or in program
management alone will likely not demonstrate immigration law knowledge and experience. Examples of
activities that OLAP does not consider formal training are self-study, case-review meetings, stakeholder
meetings with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and volunteering at workshops. However,
these activities could be used to evaluate a representative’s immigration law experience.
An application for renewal of accreditation must establish that the representative has continued to receive
formal training in immigration law and procedure during the past three years. Attach the documentation
described above for each year since last accredited.

•

Fundamentals course: Applications for initial accreditation, whether full or partial, must contain
documentation showing that the representative has completed at least one course on the fundamentals of
immigration law, procedure, and practice. While the specific content of a fundamentals course may vary, the
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curriculum should be designed to give the attendee a broad overview of immigration law. Generally, a
fundamentals course in immigration law should cover various forms of relief before the immigration courts
and DHS, such as naturalization, family-based petitions, grounds of inadmissibility and removability, removal
defenses, immigration consequences of crimes, and case management. Courses focusing primarily on the
history of U.S. immigration law and theoretical concepts will generally not satisfy the requirement without an
additional practical course or training, such as through a law school immigration law clinic.
Applications for renewal of accreditation do not need to include proof of attendance at a fundamentals course.
•

Letters of recommendation: Applications for initial accreditation, whether full or partial, must also contain at
least two letters of recommendation attesting to the representative’s broad knowledge and adequate experience
in immigration law and procedure. The authors must be qualified to write the letters, both because they are
familiar with the representative’s qualifications and because they themselves are familiar with immigration
law and procedure. For example, a qualified author could be a current or former supervisor. The letters should
provide detailed information rather than just conclusory statements that the representative “has broad
knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law.” The same or different letters may also address the
representative’s character and fitness.

Applications for renewal of accreditation do not need to include letters of recommendation unless requested
by OLAP.
Full Accreditation
Because a fully Accredited Representative can appear before EOIR without attorney supervision, the
representative must possess skills essential for effective litigation and advocacy in addition to meeting all of the
requirements for partial accreditation. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(a)(6), (c).
•

Litigation skills: An organization that is applying for full accreditation of one of its representatives must
submit documentation showing that the representative possesses skills such as:
o Performing legal research;
o Presenting documentary evidence at a hearing before an immigration judge;
o Questioning witnesses at a hearing before an immigration judge;
o Pursuing appeals before the BIA; and
o Preparing motions and briefs for consideration by an immigration judge or the BIA.

•

Advocacy skills: An application for full accreditation must also show how the representative has developed
trial and appellate advocacy skills, whether through training, education, or experience. For example, an
organization may submit:
o A log of hours and observations from attending immigration court hearings;
o A log of hours spent shadowing an attorney or Accredited Representative who practices before EOIR;
o A chart tracking cases pending before EOIR that the representative has assisted with and specifying in
what capacity;
o Redacted writing samples of briefs and motions co-authored by the representative;
o Evidence of attendance at trainings that focus on practice before EOIR and the development of advocacy
skills;
o Documentation showing participation in mock trials or similar activities; and
o Letters of recommendation that describe in detail the sources of the representative’s advocacy-related
skills, knowledge, and experience, written by authors with first-hand knowledge of these skills.

An Accredited Representative who seeks to renew his or her full accreditation should indicate the litigation- and
advocacy-related training received and examples of cases represented before EOIR since last accreditation. If an
Accredited Representative has not used his or her full accreditation in the last three years by representing clients
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before EOIR, OLAP may presume that full accreditation is no longer needed and might only approve renewal of
partial accreditation instead.
Renewal of Accreditation
For renewal of accreditation applications only, indicate approximately how often during the past three years the
Accredited Representative has entered an appearance before USCIS or EOIR on Forms G-28, E-28, or E-27.
C. Representative’s Background
A representative must have the character and fitness to represent clients before DHS, or the immigration courts
and the BIA, or before all three. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that Accredited Representatives are
individuals whom the public can trust to provide competent, reliable, immigration legal services. This requirement
also protects the integrity of the R&A Program in accrediting individuals who are upstanding, trusted members of their
communities. Your organization should indicate whether it believes that the representative meets this requirement.
You should be candid and demonstrate that the representative is qualified to be a DOJ Accredited Representative. If
the answer is “no” or you are unsure, you should attach an explanation providing more information. The
representative’s date of birth may be used to conduct a criminal background check.
With limited exceptions, only licensed attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives may represent others in
immigration legal matters. 8 C.F.R. §§ 292.1, 1292.1. Indicate whether the representative has ever engaged in the
unauthorized practice of law. See 8 C.F.R. § 1001.1(i) for the definition of practice. If so, provide an explanation.
Character and fitness includes, but is not limited to, factors such as criminal background; prior acts involving
dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; past history of neglecting professional, financial, or legal obligations;
and current immigration status that presents an actual or perceived conflict of interest. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(a)(1). If any
of these or other factors apply to a representative, whether before or during accreditation, the organization should be
completely honest and forthcoming with OLAP. It is better to be overly inclusive than to omit information. Attach a
separate explanation containing more information if your organization answers “yes” to any of the final eight questions
in Part 2.C.

Part 3. Declaration of Authorized Officer
Every Recognized Organization must designate an Authorized Officer who will act on behalf of the organization
in recognition and accreditation matters. Because the Authorized Officer will serve as the sole point of contact
for OLAP, the organization must provide his or her valid email address and phone number. The Authorized
Officer need not be the President or Executive Director of the organization, but rather should be someone who is
accessible to OLAP and knowledgeable about the organization’s immigration legal services program. If the
Authorized Officer is also the representative named in Part 1, he or she must sign both Parts 3 and 4 of this form.
The Authorized Officer is responsible for verifying the contents of the Form EOIR-31A and promptly reporting
to OLAP any material changes such as those listed in 8 C.F.R. § 1292.14(a). By signing the form under penalty
of perjury, the Authorized Officer affirms that the form and its attachments are true, correct, and complete.
Part 4. Declaration of Representative
The representative is responsible for verifying the contents of the completed Form EOIR-31A and its attachments.
By signing the form under penalty of perjury, the representative affirms that the form and its attachments are true,
correct, and complete, and that he or she meets all of the eligibility criteria for accreditation.
Part 5. Proof of Service on USCIS District Director(s)
The organization must mail or deliver an exact copy of this form and its attachments to the USCIS District Director
of the district where the organization is located. If the organization has extension of recognition and the designated
and extension office(s) are located in more than one USCIS district, the organization must mail or deliver an exact
copy of the form and its attachments to each applicable USCIS District Director.
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The proof of service is the organization’s formal guarantee that it mailed or delivered the application packet to
the appropriate USCIS District Director(s). OLAP’s FAQs contain more information about how to identify the
appropriate USCIS District Director(s) and how to properly complete the proof of service.

Where to Submit
R&A Coordinator
Office of Legal Access Programs
Executive Office for Immigration Review
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2500
Falls Church, VA 22041

Other R&A Resources
R&A Website: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program
R&A Rosters: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports
R&A FAQs: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/olap-ra-faqs/download
Email: [email protected]

Paperwork Reduction Act
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it
displays a valid OMB control number. In accordance with the Act, EOIR tries to create forms and instructions that
are accurate, can be easily understood, and which impose the least possible burden on you. The estimated average
time to review the form, gather necessary materials, and assemble the attachments is 2 hours for an initial
application, and 7 hours (one hour for review and completion of this form, and 6 hours to provide the annual
summaries of legal services provided) for renewal of recognition. If you have comments regarding the accuracy of
this estimate, or suggestions for making this form simpler, you can write to the Executive Office for Immigration
Review, Office of the General Counsel, 5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600, Falls Church, Virginia 22041.

Privacy Act Notice
The collection of this information is authorized by 8 U.S.C. §§ 1103, 1229a, 1362 and 8 C.F.R. §§ 1292.11-19 in
order to request recognition of a non-profit religious, charitable, social service or similar organization. The
information you provide is voluntary and will be used by EOIR employees to assess your organization’s eligibility
for recognition; however, failure to provide the requested information may preclude consideration of your request.
Pursuant to the Privacy Act, EOIR may share the information provided with this form with others in accordance
with approved routine uses. Furthermore, the submission of this form acknowledges that an approved applicant
will be subject to the disciplinary rules and procedures at 8 C.F.R. 1003.101et seq., including, pursuant to 8 C.F.R.
§§ 292.3(h)(3), 1003.108(c), publication of the approved applicant’s name and findings of misconduct should the
applicant be subject to public discipline.

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Form EOIR-31A
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OMB#1125-0013
Request by Organization for Accreditation or Renewal
of Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representative

U.S. Department of Justice
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Office of Legal Access Programs

Part 1. Non-Attorney Representative Information
Name: First ____________________ Middle _____________________ Last ____________________________
Other name(s) used __________________________________________________________________________
Daytime phone number __________________ Email _______________________________________________
Accreditation type(s)
requested

Initial

_____ Partial (to practice before DHS only)
_____ Full (to practice before DHS, immigration courts, and BIA)

Renewal _____ Partial

Accreditation expiration date __________

_____ Full
Change of accreditation type _____ Partial to full
_____ Full to partial
Name of organization requesting accreditation _____________________________________________________
Organization website _________________________________________________________________________
Is organization recognized?

No

Yes

If “no,” submit a concurrent EOIR-31 application packet.

Organization address(es) where non-attorney representative works or intends to work:
Address 1

Address 2

Address 3

_____________________________

_____________________________

___________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

___________________________

Part 2. Qualifications for Accreditation
A. About the Representative
Is the representative an attorney as defined in 8 C.F.R. § 1001.1(f)?
Representative’s status with the organization

No

Yes

Employee
Volunteer
Other _____________________________________________

If a previous accreditation application has ever been submitted on the representative’s behalf, please provide:
(attach additional sheets if necessary)
Date
1. ___________

Organization Name

Outcome
(e.g. Approved, Disapproved, Withdrawn)

________________________________________

_______________________________

Reason(s) for leaving organization, if applicable: ________________________________________________
2. ___________

________________________________________

_______________________________

Reason(s) for leaving organization, if applicable: ________________________________________________
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B. Representative’s Knowledge and Experience
Does the representative possess broad knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law and procedure?
No
Yes
If “no,” please explain.
If applying for partial accreditation, attach the following documents:
A description of the representative’s qualifications, including education and immigration law experience
A list of all relevant, formal, immigration-related training with proof of completion (only for the past three
years for renewal of accreditation)
Documentation of at least one course completed on the fundamentals of immigration law, procedure, and
practice (not required for renewal of accreditation)
Letters of recommendation from at least two persons familiar with the representative’s broad knowledge and
adequate experience in immigration law and procedure (not required for renewal of accreditation)
If applying for full accreditation, in addition to the above documents required for partial accreditation, also attach
evidence that the representative:
Possesses skills essential for effective litigation
Has formal training, education, or experience related to trial and appellate advocacy
If applying for renewal of accreditation, how frequently has the representative provided direct legal
representation before USCIS or EOIR within the past three years or since last accredited?
USCIS: ______________________________________ EOIR: ______________________________________
C. Representative’s Background
Does the representative possess the character and fitness to represent clients before the BIA, immigration courts,
and/or DHS?
No
Yes
If “no,” please explain.
Representative’s date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy) __________________
If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, attach a separate explanation.
Has the representative ever practiced law, as defined in 8 C.F.R. § 1001.1(i), without authorization?
No
Yes
Has the representative ever committed a crime of any kind, even if he or she was not arrested, cited, charged with,
or tried for that crime?
No
Yes
Has the representative ever been found guilty of, or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, a serious crime, as defined
in 8 C.F.R. § 1003.102(h), in any court anywhere in the world?
No
Yes
Has the representative ever committed prior acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation?
No
Yes
Does the representative have a history of neglecting professional, financial, or legal obligations?
No
Yes
Does the representative have a current immigration status that presents an actual or perceived conflict of interest?
No
Yes
Has the representative ever resigned while a disciplinary investigation or proceeding was pending?
No
Yes
Is the representative subject to any order disbarring, suspending, enjoining, restraining, or otherwise restricting the
individual in the practice of law or representation before a court or any administrative agency?
No
Yes
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Part 3. Declaration of Authorized Officer
Under penalty of perjury, I attest that:
•
•
•

I am the Authorized Officer of ______________________________________________________________
(organization); see Form Instructions for who qualifies to be an Authorized Officer
I have examined this form, including accompanying attachments, and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, it is true, correct, and complete; and
The representative named in Part 1 meets all of the eligibility criteria listed in 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12.

___________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Officer

____________________________
Date

___________________________________________
Printed Name of Authorized Officer

____________________________
Phone Number

___________________________________________
Title of Authorized Officer

____________________________
Email Address

Part 4. Declaration of Representative
Under penalty of perjury, I attest that:
• I have examined this form regarding my qualifications for accreditation, including accompanying
attachments, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete;
• I meet all of the criteria listed in 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12, qualifying me to represent others before DHS and/or
EOIR; and
• I consent to the publication of my name and findings of misconduct should I become subject to public
discipline.
___________________________________________
Signature of Representative

____________________________
Date

___________________________________________
Printed Name of Representative
Part 5. Proof of Service on USCIS District Director(s) (attach additional sheets of paper as necessary)
I, _____________________________________, on behalf of the organization, ____________________________
______________________________________, mailed or delivered a copy of this Form EOIR-31 and its
attachments on ______________ (month/day/year) to: ______________________________________________
USCIS District Office
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Number and Street
City
State
Zip Code
______________________________________________
Signature

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