Policies & Terms
Please review the following policies before using our services. By scheduling an appointment or submitting documents, you agree to these terms.
Where do you provide services?
In-Person & Mobile Notarization: Trenton and surrounding New Jersey areas.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) & Apostille Services: Available nationwide and for international clients.
What are your general operating terms?
Blue Ink Notary Services is a New Jersey-commissioned notary service operating in compliance with New Jersey law and applicable regulations.
We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. When legal document preparation or guidance is required, clients should consult a licensed attorney.
All signers must appear willing, aware, and competent at the time of notarization. Services may be declined if a signer appears under duress, impaired, or unable to understand the document.
Names on identification must reasonably match the documents being notarized. Clients are responsible for providing complete and accurate documents, as well as any recipient or agency instructions.
Do you partner with legal document preparation services?
We coordinate with independent Legal Document Preparation partners upon request. Those services are provided by the partner under their own licenses and policies. Blue Ink Notary Services does not provide legal document preparation services directly.
How are appointments handled?
All services are by appointment only. Mobile appointments must be scheduled at least 2 hours in advance. Appointments are confirmed after document review and deposit receipt.
The notary reserves the right to refuse service at their discretion, particularly if the client or the requested notarial act appears suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal.
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Appointments may be cancelled or rescheduled with reasonable advance notice. Deposits may be forfeited for late cancellations or no-shows depending on the circumstances.
Mobile No-Shows: If we arrive and the appointment cannot proceed, travel and time charges apply.
RON No-Shows: If you fail to appear for your scheduled RON appointment within the 10-minute grace period, you may apply 100% of the service fee as a credit toward a future RON service of equal value. The notary will make reasonable attempts to contact you. If the session cannot be completed due to technical issues on the notary’s end or circumstances beyond your control, a full refund or rescheduling will be offered.
By scheduling an appointment, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
When is payment required?
A deposit is required to secure your appointment. The remaining balance is due after document review and before services are rendered. Services will not begin until payment is received in full.
What payment methods do you accept?
- Square — mobile and in-person appointments
- Stripe — online deposits and scheduled appointments
How is pricing determined?
Pricing is based on the type of service, number and type of documents, destination country (if applicable), processing time, and coordination and handling requirements. Notary fees for traditional notarizations are set by New Jersey law. Additional service fees reflect document review, travel, coordination, processing, and administrative handling. Final pricing is confirmed after document review.
What is your refund policy?
All sales are final. No refunds or returns will be issued for any completed service, including notarizations, apostilles, translations, or any other service provided by Blue Ink Notary & Apostille, unless an error was made by the notary public.
In the event of a notary error, the notary will correct the error free of charge. The client must notify the notary of the error within 72 hours of the service.
What is your chargeback policy?
Please contact us first for resolution before initiating a dispute. Disputed payments that overturn a valid charge may be sent to collections for the unpaid balance plus applicable bank dispute fees.
What is your role in the apostille process?
Apostille facilitation is an administrative service provided to assist with the submission and retrieval of documents through the appropriate government agencies. Blue Ink Notary Services is not a government agency and does not issue apostilles.
Hague Apostille: Used for countries that are members of the Hague Convention. For New Jersey documents, processing is handled through the NJ Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
Non-Hague Legalization (Embassy Legalization): Required for countries not part of the Hague Convention. The process varies depending on the specific embassy or consulate and involves state authentication, U.S. Department of State processing, and embassy or consulate legalization. We provide detailed instructions and assistance throughout the process. Additional fees may apply for translation, authentication, and legalization services.
FBI Apostilles: Required for documents used in countries not members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Processing times are typically longer than standard apostilles. We will provide tracking information once documents have been submitted to the U.S. Department of State.
Out-of-State Apostilles: We can obtain apostilles for documents issued in other states. Additional fees and processing times may apply.
What is the client’s responsibility for apostille submissions?
By submitting documents for apostille services, the client acknowledges and agrees to the following:
Document Accuracy: The client is solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and legibility of all documents submitted, including the spelling of names, dates, and other important information. Errors or inconsistencies may result in delays, additional fees, or rejection.
Document Requirements: The client is responsible for understanding and meeting all requirements for the specific apostille type and destination country, including any supporting documents or certifications. Failure to provide required documents may result in delays or rejection.
Notarization: If notarization is required, the client is responsible for ensuring documents are properly notarized before submission. If already notarized, the client must verify the notarization meets destination country requirements. Re-notarization fees may apply.
Translation: If documents are in a foreign language, we can notarize the document but must attach an English notarial certificate.
Communication: The client is responsible for providing accurate contact information and responding promptly to any communications regarding the apostille process. Failure to respond may result in delays.
Shipping & Delivery: The client is responsible for providing a secure and accurate return shipping address. We are not responsible for delays, damages, or losses during shipping. For international shipping, the client is responsible for any customs duties, taxes, or fees imposed by the destination country.
Once documents are submitted to or released by a government agency or shipping carrier, all risk transfers to the client. All apostille facilitation fees are non-refundable once processing has begun. Any discrepancies not due to the notary will be at the expense of the client.
By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.
How are my documents reviewed and handled?
All documents are reviewed prior to processing to confirm service eligibility, identify any issues, and ensure accurate handling. Documents are handled with care and stored securely throughout the process.
We do not alter, notate, or mark documents beyond what is required for the requested notarial act or apostille facilitation.
Do I need to submit original documents or copies?
For most notarization and apostille services, original documents are required. Photocopies or scanned versions are generally not acceptable for official government processing. If you are unsure whether your document qualifies, submit your request and we will confirm before processing begins.
How long are my documents stored?
Client documents are stored only as long as necessary to complete the requested service and are securely deleted within 14 days of service completion, unless otherwise required by law or requested in writing.
Notarial records required under New Jersey law are retained in accordance with state requirements. These records do not include copies of client documents unless required by law.
What are my responsibilities after the apostille is completed?
Once the apostille is completed, do not remove the apostille certificate from the document, alter the document in any way, or separate any attached pages. Doing so may invalidate the apostille and require reprocessing at additional cost.
What information do you collect?
We collect only the information required to lawfully perform notarial acts, apostille processing, identity verification, and mandatory recordkeeping. Information collected may include:
- Full legal name
- Residential or business address
- Telephone number and email address
- Government-issued identification details (type, issuing authority, number, and expiration date)
- Document information presented for notarization or apostille
- Signatures, thumbprints (where required by law), and notarial certificates
- Electronic journal entries and ledger records
- Audio-visual recordings, credential analysis results, and identity verification data for Remote Online Notarization
- IP address, device data, and session metadata for fraud prevention and security purposes
We do not sell, rent, or monetize personal information under any circumstances.
What are my rights regarding my information?
Where permitted by law, clients may:
- Request confirmation that their information is on record
- Request correction of clerical or factual errors
Certain notary records cannot be altered or deleted due to statutory requirements.
Can this Privacy Policy change?
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in law, technology, or business practices. Updates will be posted with a revised effective date.
How does Remote Online Notarization work?
RON services are performed using BlueNotary, a secure and compliant RON technology provider. Services are conducted in full compliance with New Jersey law. Clients must complete identity verification and upload documents through the secure platform before the scheduled session.
RON identity verification includes:
- Multi-factor identity verification
- Credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication (KBA)
- Audio-visual recording of the notarial session
All RON records are encrypted in transit and at rest, stored in compliance with New Jersey law and applicable technology standards, and accessible only to authorized parties as required by law. We do not independently store RON recordings outside the platform unless legally obligated.
What forms of ID are accepted?
Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID is required. Accepted forms include:
- Driver’s license
- State ID
- U.S. military ID
- Passport
- Permanent resident card
For RON appointments, identity verification is completed through the secure BlueNotary platform using credential analysis and knowledge-based authentication.
Who performs your translations?
All translations are performed by our trusted partner, Idiomatic Translations. We guarantee the accuracy and completeness of all translations. A notarized Certificate of Accuracy is included with all translations.
Translation fees are separate from notarization or apostille service fees and will be quoted during your document review.
What are the estimated processing times?
- NJ State Apostille — Express: 2–4 business days
- NJ State Apostille — Next Day: 24 hours
- FBI Apostille — Standard: 3–5 weeks
- FBI Apostille — Expedited: 8–10 business days
- Non-Hague Legalization: Approximately 4–8 weeks
- Certified Translations: 1–5 business days depending on document volume
All timelines are estimates and not guaranteed.
What happens if there is a government shutdown or agency delay?
Processing times depend on government agencies, embassies, and consulates that operate independently. In the event of a federal shutdown, embassy closure, or other agency disruption, your documents will be held securely and processed as soon as services resume. We will notify you promptly of any known delays.
Our service agreement includes a force majeure clause that addresses these situations. Apostille facilitation fees are non-refundable for work already in progress.
What is your witness policy?
Two witnesses are required for wills and certain estate documents under New Jersey law. Witness services are available upon request at $35 per witness, or clients may provide their own qualified witnesses.
Witnesses must be present at the time of signing, must be of legal age, and may not be a beneficiary of the document being signed.
What are your courier and delivery policies?
Local Pickup & Drop-Off: We pick up your documents and drop them off at the destination in the same trip. This service is available within 15 miles of Trenton, NJ. Starting at $125.
Mail-In: Out-of-area clients may mail documents directly to us. Processed documents will be mailed back to your preferred address upon completion. Shipping and handling fees are separate.
Same-day availability is based on schedule — contact us in advance to confirm. Final pricing is confirmed after reviewing pickup and destination details.
We are not responsible for delays, damages, or losses that occur during shipping. The client is responsible for ensuring the shipping address is accurate and complete.
What is your international shipping policy?
We offer international shipping through reputable carriers. We are not responsible for delays, damages, or losses that may occur during shipping.
- The client is responsible for all shipping costs, calculated based on weight and destination
- The client is responsible for ensuring the shipping address is accurate and complete — errors may result in delays or additional charges
- For international shipments, the client is responsible for any customs duties, taxes, or fees imposed by the destination country
Do you handle FBI apostille services?
Yes. FBI apostilles are required for documents used in countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Processing times for FBI apostilles are typically longer than for standard apostilles. We assist with both Hague and non-Hague cou