{"context":"https://schema.org","type":"Dataset","name":"Notary Geek support guide","description":"Machine-readable support guide for apostille, certified-copy, online notary, foreign signer, shipping, identity-document checks, and active-request support questions.","url":"https://notarygeek.net/support.html","generatedAtUtc":"2026-05-15T02:32:33.072667+00:00","site":{"id":"notarygeek","brandName":"Notary Geek","domain":"notary.cx","baseUrl":"https://notary.cx","phoneDisplay":"(727) 303-6569","email":"G@notary.cx"},"quickLinks":[{"anchor":"#foreign-signer-help","label":"Outside the U.S. or no SSN"},{"anchor":"#document-routing-help","label":"Document requirements"},{"anchor":"#special-review-help","label":"Destination instructions or combined package"},{"anchor":"#urgent-help","label":"Urgent deadline or shipping need"}],"situations":[{"id":"foreign-signer-help","label":"Foreign signers","title":"I am outside the U.S. or I only have a non-U.S. passport.","body":"That is a normal case for Notary Geek. Signers outside the U.S. can use a non-U.S. passport and do not need a Social Security Number. If notarization is part of the order, complete free ID validation first."},{"id":"document-routing-help","label":"Document requirements","title":"Do I need notarization, apostille, certified copy, or more than one step?","body":"That depends on the document itself. State-issued records usually stay with the issuing office or state. Signer-created documents like powers of attorney, affidavits, operating agreements, authorization letters, and UBO letters may need an online notary act first."},{"id":null,"label":"Mixed packages","title":"My order has documents from one state and also a document that needs notarization.","body":"That can be a legitimate combined package. The state-issued record keeps its own state handling. A separate signer-created document in the same order may use the Florida online notary service before its apostille or legalization step."},{"id":"special-review-help","label":"Direct review","title":"I have destination-country instructions, a mixed package, or documents that need a careful review.","body":"Use this when the package has more than one document type, the destination country or consulate gave special instructions, or you want the next step confirmed before documents are shipped or money is spent. Starting here first usually creates the cleanest result."},{"id":"notary-help","label":"Upload and ID validation","title":"I uploaded already, or ID validation will not open.","body":"If your document is uploaded, complete free ID validation for every signer so the session can move forward when ready. If camera access or launch is failing, use a mobile browser, allow camera permissions, and try a different browser family before contacting support."},{"id":"urgent-help","label":"Urgent cases","title":"I have a deadline and need a real answer now.","body":"Send the exact deadline, document type, destination country, and where the document is now. If notarization is part of the order, the fastest rush handling usually starts after upload and ID validation are already done for every signer."},{"id":null,"label":"Shipping and scan-back","title":"I need originals shipped, scan-back first, or a label to send documents in.","body":"Yes, we handle scan-back and international shipping. For U.S. documents that do not need notarization first, we can often provide a FedEx label so you can drop the package off at FedEx and send it to us."},{"id":null,"label":"USPS 1583","title":"I need help with a USPS Form 1583 or mailbox setup step.","body":"<a href=\"https://1583.pro/\">USPS 1583</a> questions often involve identity requirements, accepted IDs, mailbox-provider instructions, and address details. Tell us which provider gave the instructions, what address you plan to use, and what step is blocking the form."},{"id":"status-help","label":"Existing request","title":"I already submitted a request, paid, booked, or shipped documents.","body":"Send the name, email or phone used on the request, what you need updated, and any deadline. WhatsApp is usually the fastest way to match your message to the correct request."}],"checklistGroups":[{"label":"Document requirements","title":"Apostille, legalization, or certified-copy help","intro":"Send the basics that let us confirm the document requirements and timing.","items":["Document type and the issuing office, county, court, or state","Destination country and any embassy or consulate instructions you already have","Deadline and whether you need scan-back, courier delivery, or originals returned","Whether you already have the document or need us to obtain it"]},{"label":"Online notary","title":"Upload, booking, or ID validation help","intro":"Technical questions go much faster when we know the exact setup and where it stopped.","items":["Device and browser used when the issue happened","Whether upload was already submitted","Whether every signer completed free ID validation","The exact screen, message, or camera issue you are seeing","Whether camera permissions are enabled and whether you already tried a different browser family"]},{"label":"Existing request","title":"Status, quote, invoice, shipping, or booking help","intro":"Give us the details that let us find the right request immediately.","items":["Name used on the request, invoice, or booking","Email address or phone number used on the request","Whether the question is about quote, invoice, shipping, booking, or document status","Any filing date, appointment, travel date, or deadline we should factor in"]}],"checklistNote":"If the matter is urgent, say that in the first line and include the exact deadline. If your document needs notarization, the fastest handling usually starts with upload plus ID validation for every signer before asking for rush handling.","escalationCases":[{"title":"Embassy or consulate instructions","body":"Non-Hague countries, consulate wording, embassy legalization, or special destination-country instructions."},{"title":"Large batches or business accounts","body":"Multiple documents, recurring orders, company records, or requests that may need custom pricing."},{"title":"Legal deadline or urgent personal matter","body":"Immigration, court, detention-related vehicle, banking, or other time-sensitive situations."},{"title":"Technical blocker","body":"Repeated upload, camera, ID validation, or booking issues after trying the standard steps."},{"title":"Prior work needs review","body":"A rejected apostille, questionable notarization, or any case where you want the current document set reviewed before taking another step."}],"faqSections":[{"eyebrow":"Document FAQ","title":"Start here if you are not sure what the document needs.","intro":"These are the questions customers ask when they are trying to sort out whether the document stays with the issuing state, needs notarization first, or requires a more complex legalization process.","items":[{"question":"What is an apostille and do I need one?","answer":"An apostille authenticates a public document for use in a Hague Convention country. If the destination country is not a Hague member, embassy or consulate legalization may be needed instead. The correct answer depends on the destination country and document source.","open":true},{"question":"Do I need notarization before apostille?","answer":"Not always. Birth, marriage, death, court, county, and company records usually need the issuing office or a certified copy. Affidavits, letters, powers of attorney, operating agreements, authorization letters, and similar signed documents may need a notary act first.","open":false},{"question":"How do I know which state's apostille I need?","answer":"The apostille usually comes from the state connected to the document source or notarization. A California company status document generally stays with California apostille handling. A Wyoming, Delaware, or New York official record stays with the issuing state. If the same order includes a signer-created document such as an operating agreement, POA, affidavit, authorization letter, or UBO letter, that document may need online notarization first and commonly follows Florida online notary and apostille handling.","open":false},{"question":"Why did my state-site order include a Florida online notary step?","answer":"That can happen in a legitimate combined package. The state site handles the official record, such as a California or Wyoming company document. A separate signer-created document in the same package may need a remote online notary act before it can be authenticated, and the Notary Geek online notary service commonly uses Florida commissioned online notaries. Support explains both parts before final billing.","open":false},{"question":"I only need a certified copy, not an apostille.","answer":"That may be possible depending on the document. Use the request form and say certified copy only. Certified-copy work usually stays with the issuing office and may avoid the state apostille fee.","open":false},{"question":"What is the difference between apostille and embassy legalization?","answer":"Apostille is used for Hague Convention destination countries. Embassy legalization is used for non-Hague countries and may involve state, federal, embassy, and consulate steps. Send the destination country and consulate instructions if you have them.","open":false},{"question":"Can you help if another provider already notarized or apostilled the document?","answer":"Yes, but the best results usually come when customers start with Notary Geek first. If another provider already touched the document, send the current document set, the destination country, and why it was rejected or why you want it reviewed. We review the existing work first so the next service is matched to the document.","open":false}]},{"eyebrow":"Foreign Signer and Notary FAQ","title":"Questions from customers outside the U.S. or preparing for online notarization.","intro":"This section covers foreign passports, no-SSN cases, ID validation, booking, and what usually blocks the online notary step.","items":[{"question":"Can I use the service if I am outside the United States?","answer":"Yes. The workflow is built for international clients and foreign signers. Signers outside the U.S. are fully supported with a non-U.S. passport and no Social Security Number. Florida online notarizations can be performed for signers outside Florida when Florida online-notary requirements are met. Under Florida law, a Florida online notary physically located in Florida may perform online notarizations regardless of where the principal or witnesses are located, and the act is governed by Florida law. Apostille or legalization handling depends on the document type, issuing office, and destination country.","open":true},{"question":"Do I need a Social Security Number?","answer":"No. You never need a Social Security Number for the Notary Geek online notary workflow. Signers outside the U.S. are fully supported with a non-U.S. passport. We do not use KBA quiz questions on the Notary Geek platform. Our workflow uses your government-issued identity document and free ID validation instead. Read the focused explanation here: <a href=\"/no-ssn-required-online-notary.html\">why no SSN is required</a>.","open":false},{"question":"Can I complete ID validation before I have my document ready?","answer":"Yes. ID validation is free and required before scheduling. It can be completed before upload or before your final document is ready. That is often the best move when you expect to need notarization soon.","open":false},{"question":"What is remote online notarization?","answer":"Remote online notarization lets a signer appear before a commissioned online notary using secure audio-video technology. The usual flow is document upload, identity verification, booking, live audio-video session, and completion of the notarial act.","open":false},{"question":"What do I need for an online notarization session?","answer":"You need a device with camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and an accepted government-issued photo ID. Signers outside the U.S. can use a non-U.S. passport and do not need a Social Security Number. Use a modern browser and allow camera access.","open":false},{"question":"ID validation will not open or camera access fails. What should I do?","answer":"Use a mobile browser, allow camera permissions, turn off private browsing if permissions are blocked, and refresh once. If it still fails, try a different browser family. For example, if Firefox fails, try Chrome or Safari; if Chrome, Edge, Brave, or Opera fails, try Firefox or Safari. Switching between Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Opera usually does not help much because they are all Chromium-based. If you contact support, mention the device and browser you used.","open":false},{"question":"Can multiple documents be notarized in one session?","answer":"Usually yes. Upload all documents together so support can review the session scope. Pricing and timing may depend on the document count, signer count, witness needs, and notarial acts required.","open":false},{"question":"Can wills, powers of attorney, trusts, or health care directives be notarized remotely?","answer":"Some sensitive documents can be handled by Florida online notaries when legal requirements are met, but they may require additional safeguards, witnesses, or review. Contact support before booking if the document is a will, trust, health care directive, power of attorney, or similar legal document.","open":false},{"question":"Are there documents you cannot notarize?","answer":"We cannot proceed with blank or incomplete documents, documents where identity verification fails, prohibited family notarizations, conflicts where the notary has a financial interest, or requests that the notary is not allowed to handle. Florida online notarization also excludes solemnizing marriage ceremonies. Some official records, vital records, and public records need the issuing office rather than a notarized copy.","open":false},{"question":"Can documents in languages other than English be notarized?","answer":"Often yes, if the notary can complete the required notarial certificate and communicate with the signer. The notary does not translate or certify the content. If a certified translation is needed, support can help coordinate that separately.","open":false},{"question":"Who will be my notary?","answer":"Your session is commonly handled by a Florida commissioned online notary working through Notary Geek. When a document genuinely needs an unusual outside service, such as remote wet ink or a state-specific notary arrangement, support can coordinate partner notaries while still taking care of the customer. A Florida online notary step does not change the issuing-state handling for official records in the same package.","open":false}]},{"eyebrow":"Timing, Shipping, and Trust FAQ","title":"Practical answers about speed, delivery, legitimacy, and next steps.","intro":"These are the questions people ask when timing, shipping, or trust need to be clear before documents are sent.","items":[{"question":"Is the service available around the clock?","answer":"The platform is available around the clock for request intake, document upload, public resources, and free ID validation. You can register or re-register with ID validation before you have a document ready. Live audio-video notarization is different: live notary sessions are not guaranteed 24/7 and depend on online notary availability. You may send a WhatsApp message or call anytime; AI voice or automated intake may handle the first contact before human follow-up. If your case is urgent and ID validation is complete for every signer, contact support because we can often meet sooner than the public schedule shows.","open":true},{"question":"Do you offer expedited processing?","answer":"Rush handling may be available depending on the state, document type, issuing office, courier timing, and whether notarization is needed first. Florida apostilles handled through the online service are usually back on the 3rd business day, sometimes sooner. In-person Florida handling usually needs an extra business day for FedEx transit. California handled apostille turnaround is usually 1-2 business days for eligible requests because Notary Geek uses the in-person California handling method when the document must go through California. Federal authentication handled through our in-person runner route is usually 11-14 days; federal processing itself currently takes about 10 business days, and the practical estimate allows for shipping both ways and the fact that we do not currently make daily federal runs. New York handled company-record apostilles are often 1-2 business days when Notary Geek can obtain the company record online and the route is clean; New York vital records and other physical originals or certified copies may need to be shipped to us first. Ohio state processing is currently about 1 business day, with practical Notary Geek round-trip turnaround usually about 3 days. Wyoming handled turnaround is usually around 4 days or less, but it can vary when the state queue slows down or the person processing requests at the state is out of the office. Delaware handled work is generally limited to the 24-hour rush tier or higher and usually works out to about three days in the common rush lane. New Mexico is a semi-manual process and usually takes about a week. Contact support with the deadline and destination country before assuming a timeline.","open":false},{"question":"How long does processing take?","answer":"Processing time varies by document type, state, issuing office, shipping method, and destination country. For Florida apostilles handled online, we usually have the apostille back on the 3rd business day, sometimes sooner. In-person Florida handling usually needs an extra business day for FedEx transit. California handled apostille turnaround is usually 1-2 business days for eligible requests because Notary Geek uses the in-person California handling method when the document must go through California. Federal authentication handled through our in-person runner route is usually 11-14 days; federal processing itself currently takes about 10 business days, and the practical estimate allows for shipping both ways and the fact that we do not currently make daily federal runs. New York handled company-record apostilles are often 1-2 business days when Notary Geek can obtain the company record online and the route is clean; New York vital records and other physical originals or certified copies may need to be shipped to us first. Ohio state processing is currently about 1 business day, with practical Notary Geek round-trip turnaround usually about 3 days. Wyoming handled turnaround is usually around 4 days or less, but it can vary when the state queue slows down or the person processing requests at the state is out of the office. Delaware handled work is generally limited to the 24-hour rush tier or higher and usually works out to about three days in the common rush lane. New Mexico is a semi-manual process and usually takes about a week. After we review your document details, support can give a more specific estimate.","open":false},{"question":"Can you ship internationally and scan documents back first?","answer":"Yes. We can scan completed documents back and we can ship internationally. Tell us the destination country, deadline, and whether you need scan-back, courier delivery, or original documents shipped. We confirm the shipping plan before payment.","open":false},{"question":"Do you ship internationally?","answer":"Yes, when major carriers are serving the destination. International delivery is commonly handled through DHL, FedEx, or other tracked carriers depending on destination and service needs. Some countries may be temporarily unavailable through well-known vendors. Russia is an example where we do not currently ship until DHL or another suitable carrier returns service. Other countries may have similar restrictions, and shipment options are confirmed before billing.","open":false},{"question":"Will I pay customs duties on international shipments?","answer":"No separate customs or duty charge is passed on to you by Notary Geek for handled international document shipments. Legal documents are prepared as documents rather than commercial merchandise, and if a carrier charge is applied to our account, we absorb it instead of billing you separately. Some high-risk FedEx or DHL delivery zones, including areas affected by war or carrier risk surcharges, may require a flat $60 shipping surcharge. Saudi Arabia and Israel are examples, but not the only possible risk zones. If that surcharge applies, we disclose it before the final bill.","open":false},{"question":"Where should I ship original documents?","answer":"Send original documents to the Clearwater handling address:<br /><br />Notary Geek<br />100 South Belcher Road #5148<br />Clearwater, FL 33758<br /><br />If you send a package to another Notary Geek address, we can still receive it, but Clearwater is preferred because handling is coordinated from there. Include a cover sheet with your name, email, phone number, destination country, and deadline so we can match the package quickly. For U.S. documents that do not need notarization first, we can often provide a FedEx label so you can drop the package off at FedEx and send it to us.","open":false},{"question":"Do you help with USPS Form 1583?","answer":"Yes. <a href=\"https://1583.pro/\">USPS 1583</a> cases often involve identity requirements, accepted IDs, mailbox-provider instructions, and address details. Tell us which provider gave the instructions, what address you plan to use, and what step is blocking the form.","open":false},{"question":"Are your notary and apostille services legitimate?","answer":"Yes. For Florida online notarization, use both official Florida state lookups: the <a href=\"https://flronlookup.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Florida online notary lookup</a> to verify online-notary registration and the Notary Geek provider record, and the <a href=\"https://notaries.dos.fl.gov/not001.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Florida notary public lookup</a> to verify the underlying notary commission. We also link to BBB, Notary Depot, Trustpilot, Google, Trustindex, and official government resources. Third-party profile details can change, so always verify current information at the linked source.","open":false},{"question":"Who can see the documents and identity data I submit?","answer":"Notary Geek is designed around controlled backend access. Request, verification, payment, support, messaging, and file-reference records can be kept in private backend systems controlled by Notary Geek. Internal backend access is limited to Greg Lirette and people he specifically authorizes for the work. Service providers such as Microsoft, Persona, Jotform, Stripe, Google and advertising or analytics providers, telecom providers, carriers, scheduling tools, support tools, security tools, and operations software may process data only as needed for the requested workflow and related operations. Read the <a href=\"/privacy-policy.html\">Privacy Policy</a> for the current public disclosure.","open":false},{"question":"Do you offer corporate or bulk rates?","answer":"Yes. Businesses, law firms, schools, and organizations with recurring or high-volume needs should contact support for custom pricing and handling.","open":false},{"question":"How do I get started?","answer":"For apostille, certified-copy, or legalization help, use the request form. For documents that need notarization first, complete ID validation for each signer and upload the document when it is ready. You can register with ID validation before scheduling; notary session charges apply after the completed video session.","open":false}]}],"processGuidance":{"eyebrow":"Before you message us","title":"Send the details that help support answer quickly.","intro":"The fastest support starts with the key facts in the first message. That helps us give a clear next step right away.","steps":[{"label":"Case","title":"Name the document and source","body":"Start with the document type and issuing office, county, court, company registry, school, or agency."},{"label":"Destination","title":"Name the country and deadline","body":"Include the destination country, any official instructions already in hand, and the real deadline."},{"label":"Status","title":"Say what is already done","body":"Tell us whether the document is already uploaded, whether every signer completed ID validation, or whether the record still needs to be obtained."},{"label":"Need","title":"Say what you need help with","body":"Tell us whether you need help with document requirements, upload, camera access, booking, shipping, invoice, or request status."}],"note":"If you need a human, send those facts first. That is the fastest way to get a useful answer and a clear next step."},"mailbox1583Support":{"mailboxAddressShortcut":"https://usmail.io/","form1583Url":"https://1583.pro/","customerInstruction":"If you already have the mailbox address, include it in the first message. If you still need one, get or confirm the address first, then return with it before completing Form 1583.","factsToCollect":["mailbox address","mailbox provider or CMRA","applicant type","accepted ID issue","signer location","provider instructions or rejection reason"]},"officialTrustSources":[{"name":"Florida online notary lookup","url":"https://flronlookup.com/"},{"name":"Florida notary public lookup","url":"https://notaries.dos.fl.gov/not001.html"}]}