Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

 

I am serious about the safety and security of your personal information. 

 

Keeping your information confidential and secure is my top priority, whether I am notarizing a true copy of a driver's licence or swearing an affidavit. I have written this Privacy Policy/Terms of Service to set out how I intend to store and keep your information confidential and secure as well as other terms governing the provision of my services.

 

The use of my services is governed by this Privacy Policy/Terms of Service. 

  

Your Privacy Rights

All businesses engaged in commercial activities must comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, and the Canadian Standards Association Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information. I comply with these legal obligations.

 

What personal information will I collect?

I provide notarization and commissioning services to the public. A notary/commissioner's job is to identify and certify who is requesting these services. To access my services, you will be asked to provide your first and last name, your telephone number, and email address. The purpose of collecting this information is to ensure I have a way to contact you in the event of a privacy breach or other matter concerning your documents. 

 

When I notarize documents, I will:

1. Scan a copy of your government issued photo identification.

2. Scan a copy of your notarized documents.

3. Scan a copy of your signed liability waiver.

 

This information will be held securely using Dropbox. I will keep your personal information for three years. At the end of three years, I will safely, securely, and irretrievably destroy my copy of your notarized document(s) and photo identification. I will keep your signed liability waiver on file for ten years. When the documents are stored on Dropbox, they are encrypted for your safety. 

 

Are you providing legal services?

I do not provide legal advice, nor do I draft documents on behalf of a client. My services are limited to the notarization of documents, administering oaths, affirmations and solemn declarations, certification of copied documents and the witnessing of agreements. The presentation of information on this website is not legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. 

 

I provide referrals only.

 

Consent

I will ask you to sign a notary services agreement that provides a summary of this policy. This notary services agreement will include language authorizing me to collect and keep certain pieces of private, confidential information about you. 

 

Use of Your Information

At the conclusion of your appointment/visit, you may request an electronic copy of your document(s) to be sent to you via email. If you wish to request this service (at no extra cost), you will be asked to sign a statement acknowledging how email is not a secure means of communication which may be susceptible to hacking/phishing. 

 

I will not, under any circumstances, send you a marketing email advertising my service. I will not sell your information to any third-party marketing services. I will email you in the event of a security breach and/or third-party request for your documents. 

 

Disclosure of your Personal Information

I will disclose your personal information:

 

1. If required to do so by law (e.g. a warrant/subpoena).

2. When you have consented to the disclosure (you must request this in person).

 

In the event a request is made for your personal information, I will make all reasonable efforts to contact you to receive your permission. If I cannot reach you, and you cannot attend in person to give consent, I will refuse all requests for your information unless required to do so by law enforcement.

 

If a validly issued warrant or court order is issued requesting the notarized document, I will only email to inform you such information has been turned over to the authorities. I will notify you as soon as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances to ensure you have the right to file an objection in court.

 

It is your responsibility to update me with regards to your current contact information. 

 

Is My Personal Information Secure?

I store an electronic copy of your notarization package. Your notarization package includes the following: (1) a copy of your government issued photo identification; (2) a copy of all notarized documents; and (3) a copy of your signed liability waiver.

 

I store your notarization package by utilizing Dropbox, which uses 256-bit AES to encrypt your documents while they are stored. Additionally, your private confidential information is protected by:

1. Two-factor authentication;

2. Device passwords; and

3. Virus and Malware protection software.

I do not keep any paper copies of your notarization package.

 

Emails

Emails are not a 100% secure method of communication. As such, when emailing me, please do not include any personal or confidential information. Moreover, as I am not providing legal advice, if you email me with information regarding a legal matter it will not be covered by lawyer-client confidentiality. If you describe a legal situation to me in an email I may be legally required to disclose such information upon request by a court or opposing party without your consent.

 

Changes to this Privacy Policy

I may change this privacy policy without notice. Your transaction will be subject to the privacy policy in effect at the time your documents were notarized, unless such changes have been made redundant or illegal by law or court order.

 

Requests for Access

After you have left my office, you may request a copy of your scanned notarized documents in person for a small fee. You will be asked to prove your identity by providing your government issued photo identification and to sign a statement authorizing a copy to be made.

 

Web Site

My website contains links to other websites, which are not governed by this privacy policy.

While visiting tpparalegal.com, I monitor traffic patterns, site usage and related site information to optimize my web site. I may provide aggregated generic information to third parties that does not include any personally identifiable information.

 

Liability

I make all reasonable efforts to protect your data. In the event your information is lost, stolen, or misused, I shall inform you as soon as is practicable in the circumstances. 

 

In the event your confidential information is lost, stolen, or misused, I shall only be liable to the extent of the cost of my service provided to you. If your confidential information is lost, stolen, or misused through no fault of my own, you agree not to hold me liable (i.e. Dropbox suffers a server security breach).

 

In every other lawsuit, I shall only be liable to the extent of the cost of my service provided to you.

 

Legal Jurisdiction

This Privacy Policy/Terms of Services shall be governed by the laws of province of Ontario and/or Canada as applicable.

 

Limitation Period

Myself and all parties using my services agree that any and all lawsuits alleging wrongdoing on behalf of myself shall be issued and served within one year after the wrongdoing or loss is discovered or may be reasonably assumed to be discoverable.

 

Severability

If any section of this Agreement is held by a court to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, such sections shall be reduced in scope only to the extent  necessary. All other sections of this Privacy Policy/Terms of Service shall survive.