FAQs
Can I use a Florida online notary if I am outside Florida or outside the United States?
Yes. In many cases, the signer may be located anywhere in the world, as long as the Florida online notary is properly authorized and located in Florida during the remote online notarization session. You will need a valid government-issued photo ID, a stable internet connection, and a device with a working camera and microphone.
This makes remote online notarization especially convenient for clients who are traveling, living abroad, located outside Florida, or unable to meet with a notary in person.
What is remote online notarization?
Remote online notarization allows a notary public to notarize a document through a secure online platform using live audio-video technology. Instead of meeting in person, the signer and notary meet virtually.
During the session, the notary verifies the signer’s identity, witnesses the signing when required, completes the notarial certificate, and applies an electronic notary seal.
Is remote online notarization legal in Florida?
Yes. Florida allows authorized online notaries to perform remote online notarizations when the notarization is completed in compliance with Florida law.
A properly completed remote online notarization generally has the same legal effect as a traditional in-person notarization. However, acceptance can depend on the receiving agency, institution, state, or country. If your document will be used internationally, you may also need an apostille or certified translation.
How long does a remote online notarization session take?
Most remote online notarization sessions take approximately 10–15 minutes, as long as your document, identification, internet connection, camera, and microphone are ready before the appointment.
More complex documents, multiple signers, additional notarial certificates, or technical issues may cause the session to take longer.
What do I need for a remote online notarization session?
For a remote online notarization session, you will generally need:
- A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
- A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera and microphone
- A stable internet connection
- Access to your email
- The document you need notarized
- The ability to complete identity verification through the online platform
- Please make sure your document is complete before the session, but do not sign it until instructed to do so during the notarization process.
What types of documents can be notarized online?
Many documents may be eligible for remote online notarization, including:
- Affidavits
- Powers of attorney
- Sworn statements
- Acknowledgments
- Authorization forms
- Travel consent forms
- Business documents
- Real estate-related documents
- Personal and family documents
- Documents intended for apostille or international use
Some documents may have special requirements depending on the receiving party. If you are unsure whether your document can be notarized online, please contact us before booking.
Can you notarize a power of attorney online?
In many cases, yes. A power of attorney may be eligible for remote online notarization if it meets the requirements for online notarization and the receiving party accepts a remotely notarized document.
Because powers of attorney can be important legal documents, you should confirm with the receiving agency, institution, attorney, or country whether remote online notarization will be accepted.
Can you notarize documents in Spanish?
Yes, we provide bilingual support in English and Spanish. If your document is in Spanish, please contact us before booking so we can confirm whether the document can be notarized and whether any additional steps may be needed.
If the document also needs to be translated for official use, we also provide certified English-Spanish translation services.
Do I need to sign the document before the notary session?
No. In most cases, you should not sign the document before the remote online notarization session. The notary may need to witness your signature during the live video session.
If the document has already been signed, please contact us before booking so we can determine whether the notarization can still be completed or whether a different notarial certificate may be required.
What identification is required for remote online notarization?
You will need a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Common acceptable forms of identification may include:
- Driver’s license issued by a U.S. state
- State-issued photo identification card
- U.S. passport book
- U.S. passport card
- Certificate of U.S. citizenship
- Certificate of naturalization
- Foreign passport
- Alien registration card with photo
- Military identification card
The name on your identification should generally match the name appearing on the document being notarized.
Can multiple people sign the same document online?
Yes, multiple signers may be able to sign the same document during a remote online notarization session. Additional signer fees may apply.
Each signer must have their own valid identification, access to the online platform, and ability to complete the required identity verification process.
Can I use a remote online notarized document for another state or country?
In many cases, yes, but acceptance depends on the receiving party. A Florida remote online notarization may be accepted by many agencies, businesses, institutions, and individuals, but some recipients may have their own rules.
If the document will be used outside the United States, you may need an apostille, certified translation, or other authentication depending on the country and document type.
How do I schedule a remote online notarization session?
You can schedule a remote online notarization session directly through our website. After booking, you will receive instructions for preparing your document, verifying your identity, and joining the secure online session.
Before your appointment, please make sure your document is ready, your identification is available, and your device has a working camera and microphone.
Apostille Services
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature, seal, or official capacity on a public document so the document can be recognized in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention.
An apostille does not change the content of the document. It confirms that the signature or seal on the document is valid for international recognition.
When do I need an apostille?
You may need an apostille when a document issued or notarized in the United States must be used in another country. Apostilles are commonly requested for international legal, immigration, business, educational, family, and personal matters.
Common reasons for needing an apostille include:
- Marriage abroad
- Dual citizenship applications
- Immigration or visa matters
- International business transactions
- Foreign school or university enrollment
- Overseas employment
- Powers of attorney for use abroad
- Legal or court-related documents used internationally
Can Leones E-Notary Services help with a Florida apostille?
Yes. Leones E-Notary Services can assist with Florida apostille requests for eligible documents. Depending on the type of document, the document may need to be notarized first before it can be submitted for apostille processing.
If your document needs notarization, you may be able to complete that step through a remote online notarization session before moving forward with the apostille process.
What documents can be apostilled in Florida?
Documents that may be eligible for a Florida apostille include:
- Notarized powers of attorney
- Notarized affidavits
- Notarized authorization letters
- Business documents
- School transcripts or diplomas, depending on how they are issued or certified
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce documents
- Death certificates
- Background checks
- Certified copies issued by the proper government authority
The exact process depends on the type of document and how it was issued, signed, notarized, or certified.
Does my document need to be notarized before getting an apostille?
Some documents must be notarized before they can be apostilled, especially private documents such as powers of attorney, affidavits, authorization letters, consent forms, and certain business documents.
Other documents, such as certified birth certificates or marriage certificates, may need to be issued by the proper government office instead of notarized. If you are unsure, contact us before placing your order so we can help determine the proper next step.
Can I get an apostille if I am outside Florida or outside the United States?
Yes. Many clients request Florida apostille assistance while located outside Florida or outside the United States. Depending on the document type, we may be able to assist with notarization, apostille processing, and certified translation remotely or by mail.
This is especially helpful for clients who need Florida documents used abroad but are currently living, studying, working, or traveling outside the United States.
How long does the Florida apostille process take?
Processing time can vary depending on the type of document, mailing time, and the current processing speed of the appropriate government office.
For our apostille service, the expected turnaround is generally 2–4 business days after the eligible document is ready for submission. Delays may occur if the document is incomplete, improperly prepared, requires additional certification, or if there are government office or mailing delays.
Can you apostille a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or divorce document?
In many cases, yes, but vital records usually must be official certified copies issued by the appropriate government office. A regular photocopy is usually not enough.
Before submitting a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce document, or death certificate for apostille, we recommend confirming that the document is the correct certified version required for apostille processing.
Can you apostille a university transcript or diploma?
Possibly, depending on how the school document was issued, signed, certified, or notarized. Some educational documents may need to be signed by the registrar or school official and notarized before they can be submitted for apostille.
Because school document requirements can vary, please contact us before ordering apostille service for a transcript, diploma, academic record, or school letter.
Do I need a certified translation before or after the apostille?
It depends on the receiving country or institution. Some documents need to be apostilled first and then translated. Others may require both the original document and the certified translation to be submitted together.
If your document will be used in a Spanish-speaking country or submitted to an international authority, we can also assist with certified English-Spanish translation services.
Certified Translation
Do you offer certified translations?
Yes. Leones E-Notary Services provides certified English-Spanish document translations for many official, legal, immigration, educational, business, and personal document needs.
Certified translations are commonly used when a document must be submitted to an agency, school, employer, attorney, court, consulate, or institution.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translation that includes a signed certification statement confirming that the translation is complete and accurate to the best of the translator’s ability.
Certified translations are often required for official document submissions, including immigration matters, school applications, legal documents, apostille-related documents, and international paperwork.
What types of documents can you translate?
We provide certified English-Spanish and Spanish-English translations for many types of documents, including:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce documents
- Death certificates
- Diplomas
- Transcripts
- School records
- Powers of attorney
- Affidavits
- Legal documents
- Business records
- Immigration documents
- Identification documents
- Letters and personal records
If your document is unusual, handwritten, difficult to read, or highly technical, please contact us before ordering.
Do you translate from Spanish to English and English to Spanish?
Yes. We provide certified translations from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish.
This service is commonly used for immigration filings, apostille documents, school records, legal paperwork, business documents, and international document submissions.
Can I use a certified translation for immigration purposes?
Certified translations are commonly required for immigration-related documents, especially when the original document is not in English. These may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce documents, school records, identification documents, and other supporting records.
However, every agency or institution may have its own requirements. You should confirm the specific translation requirements with the receiving agency, attorney, or institution before submission.
Can you translate a document that also needs an apostille?
Yes. Leones E-Notary Services can assist with certified translation and apostille-related document needs. Depending on the receiving country or institution, your document may need notarization, apostille, certified translation, or a combination of these services.
If you are not sure which service you need first, contact us and we can help you understand the general sequence based on your document type and intended use.
How do I submit a document for certified translation?
To request a certified English-Spanish translation, select the translation service on our website, choose the number of pages you need translated, upload your document, and complete checkout.
Once the translation is completed, the certified translated document will be sent to your email.
How long does certified translation take?
Turnaround time depends on the length, complexity, readability, and formatting of the document. Short documents are usually completed faster than longer or more complex documents.
If you need expedited translation, please contact us before ordering to confirm availability.
Will the certified translation be delivered by email?
Yes. Certified translations are generally delivered electronically by email unless other arrangements are made.
If you need notarization, apostille assistance, or a physical copy, please contact us before ordering so we can confirm what is available.
General Service Questions
Are all services remote?
Leones E-Notary Services is designed to provide services remotely whenever possible. Remote services include online notarization, certified English-Spanish document translation, and apostille assistance.
Some apostille requests may require mailing or submitting original documents depending on the type of document and the requirements of the receiving authority.
Do you provide services in English and Spanish?
Yes. Leones E-Notary Services provides bilingual assistance in English and Spanish.
We help clients with remote online notarization, Florida apostille service, and certified English-Spanish document translation.
What if I am not sure whether I need notarization, apostille, or certified translation?
Many international document situations require more than one step. For example, a document may need to be notarized first, then apostilled, and then translated depending on where it will be used.
If you are not sure which service you need, contact us before ordering. We can help you understand the general process and identify whether your document may need notarization, apostille assistance, certified translation, or a combination of services.
Can you help with documents for use in another country?
Yes. Leones E-Notary Services helps clients prepare documents for international use through remote online notarization, Florida apostille assistance, and certified English-Spanish translation services.
Documents used abroad often have specific requirements, so it is important to confirm what the receiving country, agency, consulate, school, employer, or institution requires before submitting your document.
Can you provide legal advice about my document?
No. Leones E-Notary Services does not provide legal advice, legal representation, or legal document drafting unless otherwise specifically stated. Notarization confirms identity and the signing process; it does not confirm that the document is legally valid, enforceable, or appropriate for your situation.
If you have legal questions about the contents or consequences of a document, you should consult a licensed attorney.
What if my document is rejected by the receiving party?
Acceptance of a notarized, apostilled, or translated document depends on the receiving agency, institution, country, court, employer, school, or other third party.
We recommend confirming the receiving party’s requirements before ordering. If a document is rejected because the receiving party has additional requirements, we can review the issue and help determine whether another service or correction may be needed.
How do I contact Leones E-Notary Services?
You can contact us by email at leandro@leonesnotary.com. Please include the type of document, the service you need, the country or institution where the document will be used, and any deadline you are working with.
For urgent notarization, apostille, or certified translation requests, please include “Urgent” in the subject line.