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DOJ Recognition & Accreditation Toolkit for Local Government Agencies

Updated May 12, 2025 | From CLINIC, City of Jersey City

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) Program allows non-attorneys working at DOJ recognized organizations to provide immigration legal services for low-income individuals, making it a critical tool for expanding and improving legal services for communities across the country. For decades, nonprofit organizations have obtained this recognition and used it to assist immigrants with legal services, but many government entities may not be aware that they too can obtain DOJ recognition to better serve their communities. Government entities within municipalities such as public libraries, offices of immigrant affairs, and Departments of Health and Human Services benefit from this opportunity. 

With the help of this toolkit, public entities can create more equal, inclusive, and welcoming communities. Although this toolkit mainly describes the process of obtaining DOJ R&A for municipalities interested in providing immigration legal services through one of their agencies, other nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations can also benefit from the information contained in this resource.

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