Apostille & Document Authentication Service Terms
Version 1.1 | Effective upon acceptance
These Apostille & Document Authentication Service Terms (the “Terms”) govern the document authentication and apostille facilitation services provided by StratElite Holdings, LLC, a Texas limited liability company doing business as Texas Notary & Apostille Group (“TXNA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), to the customer who orders such services (“Client,” “you,” or “your”). By submitting an order, signing these Terms, or otherwise engaging TXNA, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
1. Nature of Services; Independent Facilitator
TXNA is a private document-services company. We assist Clients in obtaining apostilles and authentication certifications by preparing, submitting, and retrieving documents to and from the appropriate competent authorities, including the Texas Secretary of State for state-issued apostilles and authentications, the U.S. Department of State for federal authentications, and, where the destination country is not party to the Hague Apostille Convention, the applicable foreign embassy or consulate for legalization.
TXNA is an independent service provider. We are not a government agency, are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Texas Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State, or any embassy or consulate, and we do not control their decisions, fees, processing times, or requirements.
2. Not a Law Firm; No Legal Advice
TXNA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal opinions, or representation. No attorney-client relationship is created by your use of our services. Our role is limited to administrative and logistical assistance in obtaining authentications. If you require legal advice regarding your documents, their content, or their intended use, you should consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction. Nothing communicated by TXNA personnel constitutes legal advice.
3. No Guarantee of Issuance or Acceptance
The issuance of an apostille or authentication is at the sole discretion of the competent authority. TXNA cannot and does not guarantee that any authority will issue an apostille or authentication for a given document, or the timeframe in which it will do so.
TXNA does not guarantee that any apostilled, authenticated, or legalized document will be accepted by any receiving party, institution, or foreign government. Acceptance requirements vary by country and by the entity requesting the document. You are solely responsible for confirming, before placing your order, the exact requirements of the party that will receive your document, including the destination country, the type of certification required, any translation requirements, and whether the document must first be notarized or certified by another official.
Scope of authentication. An apostille or authentication certifies only the genuineness of the signature of the public official, the capacity in which that official acted, and, where applicable, the identity of the seal or stamp appearing on the document. It does not certify, validate, or vouch for the content, accuracy, legality, or truthfulness of the underlying document, and it does not constitute approval of the document by TXNA or by any authority.
4. Fees and Costs
Fees consist of (a) TXNA’s service fee, (b) government and consular fees charged by the relevant authorities, which TXNA passes through at cost, and (c) shipping, courier, and handling charges. Current amounts are as posted on the TXNA website at the time your order is placed, and the posted amounts in effect at order time control.
| Service Component | Basis / Amount |
|---|---|
| Apostille / authentication service fee (per document) | As posted on the TXNA website at time of order |
| State authentication (Texas Secretary of State) government fee | Pass-through at cost |
| Federal authentication (U.S. Department of State) government fee | Pass-through at cost |
| Embassy / consular legalization fees (non-Hague destinations) | Pass-through at cost, plus posted handling fee |
| Notarization (if required, via remote online notarization) | As posted; charged per notarial act |
| Shipping, courier, and return delivery | Pass-through at cost, plus posted handling fee |
| Expedited / rush handling (where available) | As posted |
Government and consular fees are set by third parties and are subject to change without notice. Where actual government, consular, or shipping costs exceed amounts collected, TXNA will notify you and collect the difference before proceeding.
5. Notarization Prerequisite; Remote Online Notarization
Certain documents must be notarized before they can be apostilled or authenticated. Where notarization is required, TXNA can facilitate remote online notarization (RON) through a licensed online notary platform. The platform allows you to upload your unsigned document before the notarization session begins, and additional documents may be added during the session. The notary must witness your signature live; documents must therefore remain unsigned until the session.
RON services are subject to the separate terms of the notarization platform and the requirements of Texas law governing online notarization. Online notarial commissions used by TXNA are administered through Williamson County, Texas.
6. Client Responsibilities
You are responsible for the following, and TXNA is not liable for delays, rejections, or additional costs arising from your failure to meet them:
Providing complete, accurate, and genuine documents, and confirming they are the correct documents for your intended purpose.
Identifying the correct destination country and the specific type of certification required by the receiving party.
Ensuring documents are in the required condition (for example, originals, certified copies, or properly notarized) before submission.
Arranging any required translations, unless you have separately engaged TXNA to coordinate translation.
Providing valid identification where notarization is required, and responding promptly to TXNA requests for information.
Reviewing all documents returned to you upon receipt and notifying TXNA of any discrepancy within five (5) business days.
7. Turnaround Times
Any timeframe quoted by TXNA is an estimate only and is not guaranteed. Processing times depend on the competent authority, government backlogs, mail and courier transit, and factors outside TXNA’s control. TXNA is not liable for any loss arising from processing times, missed deadlines, or delays caused by any government authority, courier, or other third party.
8. Document Handling, Shipping, and Risk of Loss
TXNA will exercise reasonable care in handling your documents. However, you acknowledge that the apostille and authentication process necessarily requires submitting documents to government authorities and transmitting them by mail or courier. Risk of loss, damage, or delay during transit to or from any government authority or carrier passes to the carrier and the issuing authority, and TXNA is not responsible for loss, damage, or delay occurring in their custody. You are responsible for retaining copies of all documents submitted. TXNA recommends against submitting irreplaceable original documents where a certified copy will satisfy the requirement.
Return shipping. At your election, return delivery of your completed documents can be arranged through Pak Mail of Cedar Park, a separately owned and operated business (XphereMart Business Holdings LLC d/b/a Pak Mail of Cedar Park, an independently owned and operated location licensed by Annex Brands, Inc.). Any such shipment is a separate service governed by that business’s own terms, rates, and declared-value and insurance options. TXNA is not the shipper, does not control that service, and is not liable for loss, damage, or delay in return transit. You may also arrange return shipping through a carrier of your choice.
9. Cancellations and Refunds
Government, consular, and third-party fees are non-refundable once a document has been submitted to the relevant authority, regardless of outcome.
TXNA’s service fee is refundable only for orders cancelled before TXNA has begun processing. Once processing has begun, the service fee is earned and non-refundable.
Shipping and courier charges already incurred are non-refundable.
Rejection of a document by a competent authority, or non-acceptance by a receiving party, is not grounds for a refund of fees already incurred.
10. Privacy and Data
TXNA collects and processes personal information and document contents solely to perform the requested services. Our handling of that information is described in the TXNA Privacy Policy, available on the TXNA website, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. You authorize TXNA to disclose your information and documents to government authorities, notaries, couriers, and other third parties as necessary to perform the services.
11. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, TXNA’s total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to these Terms or the services, regardless of the theory of liability, shall not exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or the amount of the TXNA service fee actually paid for the affected order, whichever is greater. TXNA shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, including lost profits, lost opportunities, or damages arising from missed deadlines, document rejection, non-acceptance by a receiving party, or delay by any third party, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.
12. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless TXNA, StratElite Holdings, LLC, and their members, managers, employees, and agents from any claim, loss, or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your documents, the use to which authenticated documents are put, your breach of these Terms, or any inaccurate or fraudulent information you provide.
13. Electronic Signatures and Records
You consent to conduct this transaction electronically. These Terms and related documents may be signed electronically using a licensed electronic signature service. Electronic signatures and records are valid and enforceable to the same extent as handwritten signatures and paper records under the federal ESIGN Act and the Texas Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. You may request a paper copy of any record and may withdraw consent to electronic transactions by written notice, though doing so may delay or prevent TXNA from providing the services.
14. Governing Law and Venue
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. The exclusive venue for any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the services shall be the state courts located in Williamson County, Texas, and the parties consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.
15. General
Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with the TXNA Privacy Policy and the order details, constitute the entire agreement between the parties regarding the services and supersede all prior understandings. Amendment. TXNA may update these Terms prospectively by posting a revised version; the version in effect when your order is placed governs that order. Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force. No Waiver. Failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of it. Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without TXNA’s written consent. TXNA may assign these Terms in connection with a reorganization or transfer of its business. Force Majeure. TXNA is not liable for delay or failure to perform due to causes beyond its reasonable control.
16. Acceptance
By submitting an order or signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms.
StratElite Holdings, LLC d/b/a Texas Notary & Apostille Group
By: ____________________________________ Authorized Representative Date: ______________
Client: ____________________________________ Name: _______________________ Date: ______________
StratElite Holdings, LLC d/b/a Texas Notary & Apostille Group · 101 N US Hwy 281, Suite 205D, Marble Falls, TX 78654 · texasnotaryandapostille.com · orders@texasnotaryandapostille.com
