Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: October 28, 2026

Welcome to Inkcredible Notary & Apostille.

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) explain what to expect when using our website or requesting our services.

By using our website, scheduling an appointment, or purchasing services from Inkcredible Notary & Apostille (“Inkcredible,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), you agree to the applicable Terms below.

Certain services may require a separate written quote, order confirmation, or service agreement. Those documents will explain any additional terms specific to your request.

1. About Inkcredible

Inkcredible Notary & Apostille is a DBA of Jennifer L Shellhart, an independent business based in San Diego County, California.

We provide mobile notary services and assistance with apostilles, document authentication, and related document-processing needs.

Inkcredible is not a government agency and is not part of the California Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State, or any foreign government.

We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice or legal representation.

2. Our Services

Mobile Notary Services

Our mobile notary services are provided by a commissioned California notary public and are performed in accordance with applicable California law.

Notarial services may include acknowledgments, jurats, oaths, and other authorized notarial acts.

The notary is responsible for following California’s identification, personal appearance, journal, and other legal requirements.

A notarization does not mean the notary has reviewed or approved the legal contents of a document.

Apostille Services

Inkcredible assists customers with preparing eligible documents for apostille processing, coordinating submissions, and arranging document returns.

An apostille authenticates a public official’s signature or seal. It does not verify the accuracy or legal validity of the document’s contents.

The appropriate government authority determines whether an apostille can be issued.

Additional services, including document retrieval, notarization, translation coordination, federal authentication, or expedited processing, may be available by separate arrangement.

We do not guarantee that a foreign government, institution, or other receiving organization will accept a particular document or apostille.

3. Quotes, Pricing & Payments

We aim to provide clear pricing before you commit to a service.

Service fees depend on the type of request, number of documents, travel distance, processing requirements, and any additional services requested.

Our current advertised prices are available on our website. A written quote or order confirmation will identify the charges applicable to your request.

Notarial Fees

California law regulates the fees that may be charged for certain notarial acts.

Inkcredible charges its published notarial rates, subject to applicable legal limits and required fee exemptions.

Notarial fees are separate from travel and other optional service charges.

No notarial-act fee will be charged for a notarization that is not performed.

Qualifying voting materials and U.S. military veterans’ benefit documents are subject to the fee exemptions required by California law.

Travel Fees

Mobile notary travel fees are based on one-way driving distance and the agreed appointment location.

Local travel fees start at $45. Extended travel and after-hours appointments may involve additional charges.

Any applicable travel fee will be disclosed before the appointment is confirmed.

Parking, valet, or unavoidable location-access fees may be charged at actual cost when applicable.

Waiting Time

A complimentary 15-minute waiting period is included with a scheduled mobile notary appointment.

When a signer or required documents are not ready at the scheduled time, additional waiting may be charged at $15 per 15-minute increment, subject to availability.

Apostille Fees

Our standard California apostille package includes the services and processing expenses identified in the accepted quote.

Unless specifically included, additional charges may apply for sending documents to Inkcredible, final delivery to the customer, notarization, document retrieval, translations, or expedited processing.

Federal apostilles and specialized services are quoted separately.

Payments

Payment may be requested through a secure electronic payment link, invoice, or another accepted payment method.

Electronic payments are processed through our third-party payment service, Stripe.

Apostille services require full payment in advance. The full amount of the accepted quote must be received before Inkcredible begins document preparation, processing, submission, or other paid services associated with the order.

Submitting an inquiry, accepting a quote, or providing documents does not authorize processing to begin without payment in full.

If additional services or charges become necessary after the original quote is accepted, those charges will be disclosed for approval. Any approved additional services must be paid for before that additional work begins.

Mobile notary appointments follow our separate deposit and appointment-payment terms. A $20 booking deposit is required, with the remaining applicable balance collected according to the appointment agreement.

Customers are responsible for paying all agreed service charges according to their booking, invoice, or accepted quote.

4. Mobile Notary Appointments

Mobile notary appointments are subject to availability, location, and the requirements of the requested notarization.

Customers are responsible for:

• Providing an accurate appointment address and contact information.
• Ensuring the required signers are available.
• Having acceptable identification or an alternative identification method permitted by California law.
• Bringing complete documents and any required witnesses.
• Confirming which type of notarial act is needed.
• Providing a reasonably safe and accessible location for the appointment.

If a document requires a signature to be made in the notary’s presence, the signer must wait until the appointment to sign.

A notary may be unable to complete a notarization if the legal requirements are not satisfied. Reasons may include inadequate identification, an absent signer, an incomplete document, or circumstances that prevent the notary from lawfully performing the requested act.

If an appointment cannot be completed for reasons outside Inkcredible’s control, an agreed travel fee or other separately disclosed appointment charges may still apply. A notarial-act fee will not be charged for an act that was not performed.

5. Appointment Deposits & Cancellations

Booking Deposits

A $20 deposit is required to reserve a standard mobile notary appointment.

The deposit is credited toward the final appointment balance and is not an additional charge.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

Customers may cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before their scheduled appointment for a full deposit refund or a complimentary reschedule.

For cancellations made less than 24 hours before the appointment, Inkcredible may retain the deposit to cover reasonable scheduling-related losses, where permitted by law.

If the notary has already departed for the appointment, the previously agreed travel fee may apply. Any deposit retained will be credited toward that charge rather than added on top of it.

If Inkcredible cancels an appointment, the customer will receive a full refund of the applicable booking deposit.

We encourage customers to contact us as soon as possible when plans change.

Cancellation fees and refunds are subject to applicable California law.

6. Apostille Orders, Changes & Cancellations

Apostille orders may involve document preparation, government submissions, processing charges, and shipping expenses.

Customers should review their quote and service details carefully before authorizing work.

An apostille inquiry or quote request does not, by itself, authorize Inkcredible to begin paid processing.

Payment Required Before Processing

Full payment is required upfront for all apostille orders. No paid services will begin until Inkcredible has received payment in full for the accepted quote.

This includes document preparation, retrieval, processing coordination, government submission, and shipping arrangements covered by the order.

Processing also depends on Inkcredible receiving any required documents, information, and customer authorizations.

Estimated processing times do not begin until payment has been received and the documents and information required to proceed are available.

Payment in full does not guarantee government approval, a specific processing time, or acceptance by the receiving organization.

Order Changes

Requests to add documents, change delivery arrangements, or modify processing instructions may affect price and timing.

We will explain any additional charges before proceeding with a requested change whenever reasonably possible.

Approved additional services must be paid for before the additional work begins.

Cancellations & Refunds

Customers should contact Inkcredible promptly if they wish to cancel an apostille order.

Refund eligibility depends on the stage of processing, services already performed, payments made to third parties, and expenses that can or cannot be recovered.

Any cancellation charges or deductions must comply with applicable law and the terms disclosed and agreed to for the order.

Where a refund is due, Inkcredible will identify applicable deductions and return the refundable balance.

Government fees, shipping charges, and other third-party expenses are not automatically nonrefundable. Their refundability depends on whether they have been incurred and on the relevant provider’s policies.

After documents have been submitted to a government agency, cancellation or retrieval may not be possible.

7. Document Requirements & Customer Responsibilities

Customers are responsible for providing accurate information about their documents, including the issuing authority, destination country, and intended use.

Documents must meet the requirements of the relevant government agency or receiving organization.

Some documents require additional steps before an apostille can be issued. These may include obtaining a certified copy, completing a notarization, or securing an authorized official’s signature.

Inkcredible may request clarification or additional documentation when necessary to evaluate or process an order.

Customers should not send original documents until they have received submission instructions.

Unless expressly included in the accepted quote, customers are responsible for arranging and paying for the delivery of documents to Inkcredible.

8. Document Shipping, Handling & Return

Original documents may need to be submitted to government agencies or transported through third-party carriers.

For standard California apostille orders, completed documents are ordinarily returned to Inkcredible after government processing for review and arrangement of final customer delivery.

The customer’s selected final delivery method, address, and any applicable charges will be confirmed as part of the order.

Shipping and courier services are subject to carrier policies, service availability, and circumstances outside Inkcredible’s direct control.

Tracking information may be provided when available.

Shipping dates and estimated delivery times are not guarantees.

If a document is delayed, damaged, or lost during transportation, Inkcredible will work with the customer to review the circumstances and available next steps, including carrier inquiries or claims where appropriate.

Responsibilities for loss or damage are subject to applicable law and any agreed service terms.

Additional information about document custody and security is available in our Document Handling Policy.

9. Processing Times & Service Availability

Estimated processing times are provided for planning purposes only.

Actual processing may be affected by:

• Government office schedules and workloads
• Document eligibility or missing information
• Holidays and office closures
• Shipping or courier delays
• Additional certification requirements
• Circumstances outside our reasonable control

Expedited processing may be offered when available, but a faster service does not guarantee approval or acceptance.

Inkcredible is not responsible for decisions made by government agencies or receiving institutions.

If a deadline is important, please tell us before placing your order so we can review the available options.

10. No Legal Advice or Guaranteed Acceptance

Inkcredible does not provide legal advice or determine which legal documents customers should prepare, sign, or submit.

We cannot choose a notarial act on behalf of a customer when California law prohibits us from doing so.

We may explain general procedures, document requirements, and available services, but customers should consult an attorney or the receiving organization when legal guidance is needed.

An apostille or notarization does not guarantee that a document is legally valid, sufficient for a particular purpose, or accepted by its intended recipient.

11. Website Information & External Links

We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate, helpful information on our website.

However, government requirements, fees, procedures, and processing times may change.

Website content is provided for general informational purposes and should not be treated as legal advice or as a substitute for current instructions from the relevant government authority.

Our website may link to government agencies, universities, carriers, payment providers, or other external websites.

These third-party websites maintain their own terms and policies.

12. Text Messaging Terms (SMS)

Inkcredible Notary & Apostille offers an optional text messaging program for customers who consent to receive service-related communications.

Messages may include:

• Responses to service inquiries
• Appointment confirmations and reminders
• Scheduling changes
• Apostille or document-status updates
• Invoice and payment reminders
• Customer-support communications

Consent

Customers may opt in through an appropriate website form, appointment process, or another approved consent method.

SMS consent is voluntary and is not required to purchase services.

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies based on the customer’s inquiries, appointments, and active service requests.

Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply to messages sent to you or received from you. Contact your wireless carrier for details about your messaging plan.

Opting Out

You may cancel SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to a message from Inkcredible.

After you send STOP, you may receive a confirmation that you have been unsubscribed. You will no longer receive messages through that SMS program unless you opt in again.

If you wish to receive messages again, you may provide new consent through an available opt-in method.

Help and Support

Reply HELP to a message from Inkcredible for assistance.

You may also contact us at:

Phone: (619) 776-3311

Email: contact@inkcrediblenotary.com

Carrier Disclaimer

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

Privacy

For information about how we handle personal information and SMS consent records, please review our Privacy Policy.

13. Privacy & Information Security

Your use of our website and services is also subject to our Privacy Policy.

Customers should avoid sending sensitive identification information, financial account numbers, or confidential document images through ordinary website forms, chat, or unsolicited email.

If we need a copy of a document for review, we will explain the appropriate submission method.

While we take reasonable precautions when handling customer information and documents, no electronic system or delivery service can be guaranteed completely free of risk.

14. Responsibility & Applicable Law

Inkcredible will provide services with reasonable care and in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for delays, decisions, or failures caused solely by government agencies, receiving organizations, carriers, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits rights or remedies that cannot legally be waived, including liability arising from our own conduct where applicable law does not permit such a limitation.

These Terms are governed by the applicable laws of the State of California.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms as our services, policies, technology, or legal obligations change.

The current version will be posted on our website with an updated effective date.

Changes will not retroactively alter the agreed terms of an existing service order unless permitted by law and appropriately agreed to.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, our services, or an existing order, please contact:

Inkcredible Notary & Apostille
San Diego County, California

Email: contact@inkcrediblenotary.com

Phone: (619) 776-3311

Website: inkcrediblenotary.com