// Service agreements and client obligations
TERMS OF SERVICE
Effective Date: January 27, 2026
Last Updated: January 27, 2026
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TL;DR - THE QUICK VERSION
// The essentials you need to know:
FOR NOTARY SERVICES:
✓ Cancellation: 48 hours notice = full refund | 24-48 hrs = 50% | <24 hrs = no refund
✓ What you need: Valid government photo ID, original documents, be of sound mind
✓ RON requirements: Computer/phone with camera, stable internet, email for documents
✓ Payment: Cash, check, credit/debit (Stripe/Square), Venmo/CashApp/Zelle
✓ We CAN'T: Give legal advice, explain documents, notarize fraudulent docs
✓ Liability: Limited to $25,000 Maryland notary bond
FOR CYBERSECURITY & OSINT SERVICES:
✓ You must: Provide written authorization, sign NDA, grant system access
✓ Reports: You own them (we keep our methodology)
✓ Liability: Limited to fees paid for your engagement
✓ OSINT disclaimer: Info provided "as-is," time-sensitive, you must verify independently
✓ Not legal advice: Reports are informational only (consult lawyers for legal stuff)
✓ Confidentiality: Strict NDA - your vulnerabilities/findings stay secret
✓ No guarantee: We can't promise to find every vulnerability
KEY POLICIES:
• Disputes: Try to resolve informally first, then binding arbitration in Maryland
• Travel: Primary service area free, extended travel = mileage fee
• Records: Notary = 10 years, Cybersecurity = 7 years
• Force majeure: Not liable for things beyond our control (disasters, tech failures)
SERVICE AREAS:
Howard, Baltimore, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Frederick, Carroll Counties
(+ extended travel with fee)
→ Read full terms below for all the legal details
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[1] ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By engaging Frame of Reference Solutions, LLC ("we," "us,"
"our") for notary services, you ("client," "you") agree to
these Terms of Service.
If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use our services.
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[2] SERVICES PROVIDED
NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICES (Maryland):
In-Person Notarizations:
Traditional notary services at your location or ours
Mobile Notary Services:
Notarization at your home, office, hospital, nursing facility,
or other location within our service area
Remote Online Notarization (RON):
Authorized under Maryland Senate Bill 678
Electronic notarization via secure video conference
All 6 Maryland Notarial Acts:
• Acknowledgments
• Jurats
• Signature witnessing
• Copy certifications (where permitted)
• Oaths and affirmations
• Protests
CYBERSECURITY SERVICES:
• Vulnerability Assessments & Penetration Testing
• Security Audits & Risk Assessments
• Network Security Analysis
• Application Security Testing
• Incident Response Planning
• Security Policy Development
• Compliance Assessments (NIST, ISO, etc.)
OSINT & DIGITAL FOOTPRINT SERVICES:
• Due Diligence Investigations
• Digital Footprint Analysis
• Reputation Monitoring & Management
• Litigation Support Research
• Corporate Security Assessments
• Threat Intelligence Gathering
• Background Research (public records only)
• Online Presence Audits
CONSULTING SERVICES:
• Cybersecurity Strategy & Planning
• Privacy Compliance Guidance
• Security Awareness Training
• Digital Risk Management
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[3] SERVICE AREA
Primary Service Counties:
• Howard County
• Baltimore County
• Montgomery County
• Anne Arundel County
• Frederick County
• Carroll County
Extended Travel:
We will travel outside our primary service area for an
additional mileage/travel fee, calculated at the time of
booking based on distance.
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[4] SCHEDULING AND APPOINTMENTS
• Appointments must be scheduled in advance
• Same-day appointments may be available (subject to
availability)
• After-hours and weekend appointments available with
applicable rush service fees
• You will receive email confirmation of your appointment
details
• Please arrive prepared with all required documents and
identification
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[5] CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
48+ hours notice: Full refund of prepaid fees
24-48 hours notice: 50% refund of prepaid fees
Less than 24 hours: No refund
No-shows: No refund; full service fee charged
To cancel an appointment, contact us at:
[email protected]
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[6] PAYMENT TERMS
Accepted Payment Methods:
• Cash (in-person)
• Checks (in-person)
• Credit and debit cards (via Stripe/Square)
• Venmo, CashApp, Zelle
Payment Timing:
• Payment may be required at time of booking or upon
service completion
• Mobile notary services require payment at time of service
• RON services require prepayment before session
Travel Fees:
• Included for primary service area
• Additional mileage fee for extended travel
• Calculated based on distance from Ellicott City
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[7] CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR NOTARY SERVICES:
Identification:
Valid, current government-issued photo ID (driver's license,
passport, state ID, military ID)
Documents:
• Original documents requiring notarization (unless RON)
• Documents must be complete and unsigned (for jurats and
acknowledgments)
• Blank spaces for notarial certificates
Information:
• Accurate information for scheduling
• Correct spelling of names for notarial certificates
• Understanding of document purpose (we cannot advise)
Capacity:
• Must be of sound mind and acting willingly
• Must not be under duress or undue influence
• Must understand the nature of the document being signed
FOR CYBERSECURITY & OSINT SERVICES:
Authorization & Access:
• Provide written authorization for security assessments
• Grant necessary system access and credentials
• Ensure legal authority to authorize testing/research
• Obtain internal approvals before engagement begins
Cooperation:
• Designate technical point of contact for assessments
• Provide timely responses to information requests
• Make systems and personnel available as needed
• Review and validate findings in draft reports
Scope Definition:
• Clearly define assessment scope and boundaries
• Identify systems, networks, and data in/out of scope
• Disclose relevant context and historical issues
• Communicate changes to environment during engagement
Confidentiality:
• Sign Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before engagement
• Protect confidentiality of our methodologies and tools
• Restrict access to reports on need-to-know basis
• Notify us if reports are disclosed to third parties
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[8] REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION (RON) REQUIREMENTS
For RON services, you must have:
Technology:
• Stable internet connection (minimum 10 Mbps recommended)
• Computer or mobile device with functioning camera and
microphone
• Modern web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
Identification:
• Valid government-issued photo ID for identity verification
• Must be able to present ID clearly to camera
Authentication:
• Complete knowledge-based authentication (KBA) as required
• Answer identity verification questions
• Consent to credential analysis
Communication:
• Provide email address for electronic document delivery
• Must be able to communicate clearly via audio/video
• Consent to audio/visual recording of the notarial session
Note: RON sessions are fully recorded and stored for 10 years
as required by Maryland law.
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[9] NOTARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS
We Are Authorized To:
• Verify signer identity through ID examination
• Witness signatures on documents
• Administer oaths and affirmations
• Certify copies where permitted by Maryland law
• Perform all 6 Maryland notarial acts
We Are NOT Authorized To:
• Provide legal advice
• Explain or interpret document contents
• Recommend document types or language
• Draft documents or fill in blank spaces
• Notarize documents with known false information
• Proceed if we suspect fraud or coercion
⚠ IMPORTANT: You should consult an attorney for legal advice
regarding your documents. We cannot advise you on legal
matters or document preparation.
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[10] LIABILITY LIMITATION
FOR NOTARY SERVICES:
Our liability is limited to the Maryland notary bond amount
($25,000).
We Are NOT Responsible For:
• Legal validity, effect, or consequences of documents we
notarize
• Damages arising from document contents or legal defects
• Advice given by third parties
• Technical issues during RON sessions beyond our control
• Delays caused by client unavailability or unpreparedness
We Are Bonded and Insured:
• Maryland notary public bond: $25,000
• Errors & Omissions insurance coverage
• Professional liability protection
Note: We are not liable for issues outside the notarial act
itself, including document legality or enforceability.
FOR CYBERSECURITY & OSINT SERVICES:
LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE FEES PAID for the specific
engagement giving rise to the claim.
We Are NOT Responsible For:
• Business decisions made based on our reports or findings
• Third-party actions or data breaches unrelated to our work
• Vulnerabilities not discovered during scoped assessment
• Changes to systems or threats after report delivery
• Client's failure to implement recommended remediation
• Damages from authorized testing within approved scope
• Accuracy of publicly available information in OSINT reports
• Legal consequences of information in due diligence reports
Disclaimers:
• NO WARRANTY: Services provided "AS-IS" without warranty
• NO GUARANTEE: We cannot guarantee finding all vulnerabilities
• TIME-SENSITIVE: Reports accurate as of assessment date only
• NO LEGAL ADVICE: Reports do not constitute legal advice
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES EXCLUDED:
We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential,
special, or punitive damages, including lost profits, revenue,
data, or business opportunities.
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[11] RECORD KEEPING
We maintain notarial records for 10 years as required by
Maryland law and professional standards.
Records include:
• Notary journal entries
• RON session recordings (audio/visual)
• Copies of notarial certificates
• Identity verification documentation
You may request copies of notarial certificates for documents
we notarized by contacting us at:
[email protected]
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[12] INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & REPORT OWNERSHIP
Client Owns Final Deliverables:
Upon full payment, you own all rights to:
• Final reports and findings
• Executive summaries and presentations
• Data and research compiled for your engagement
• Recommendations and remediation guidance
We Retain:
• Proprietary methodologies and tools
• Templates and frameworks used in assessments
• Generic knowledge and experience gained
• Right to reference engagement type (not details) for experience
Usage Restrictions:
You may:
• Use reports for internal business purposes
• Share with legal counsel, auditors, and advisors (under NDA)
• Reference findings for remediation and improvement
You may NOT:
• Publicly disclose our methodologies or tools
• Resell, redistribute, or commercialize reports
• Use reports to provide competing services
• Modify reports and represent them as our work
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[13] OSINT & RESEARCH DISCLAIMERS
⚠ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS FOR OSINT SERVICES:
Information Provided "AS-IS":
OSINT reports are based on publicly available information at
the time of research. We make no guarantees regarding:
• Accuracy or completeness of public records
• Currency of information (data may be outdated)
• Verification of third-party data sources
• Availability or accessibility of information
Time-Sensitive Nature:
• Information is accurate as of report date ONLY
• Public records and online data change frequently
• Client must independently verify critical information
• We are not responsible for post-delivery changes
Client Must Independently Verify:
OSINT reports are for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
You are responsible for:
• Verifying information before making business decisions
• Conducting additional due diligence as needed
• Consulting legal counsel for legal matters
• Evaluating reliability of information sources
Not Legal, Financial, or Professional Advice:
Our reports DO NOT constitute:
• Legal advice or legal opinions
• Financial or investment advice
• Professional consulting in regulated fields
• Guarantees or warranties of any kind
Consult appropriate professionals (attorneys, accountants,
compliance experts) before making decisions based on our reports.
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[14] REFUSAL OF SERVICE
We reserve the right to refuse service if:
• Signer cannot provide valid identification
• Signer appears to lack mental capacity
• Signer appears to be under duress or undue influence
• Document appears fraudulent or contains false information
• Signer is unable to communicate effectively
• We have reason to believe the notarization is improper
• Payment is not provided as agreed
• Client behavior is threatening or abusive
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[15] DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Informal Resolution:
We encourage clients to contact us directly to resolve any
issues: [email protected]
We will make reasonable efforts to address concerns promptly
and professionally.
Binding Arbitration:
If informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved
through binding arbitration in Maryland under the rules of
the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
• Arbitration location: Howard County, Maryland
• Maryland law applies
• Arbitration decision is final and binding
• Each party bears their own costs unless otherwise determined
Maryland Law Applies:
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Maryland.
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[16] FORCE MAJEURE
We are not liable for failure to perform services due to
circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to:
• Natural disasters (floods, fires, storms)
• Medical emergencies or illness
• Government restrictions or orders
• Technology failures (for RON services)
• Power outages or internet service disruptions
• Acts of war or terrorism
• Pandemics or public health emergencies
In such events, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule
or provide alternative service options.
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[17] CONFIDENTIALITY & NON-DISCLOSURE
For All Services:
We maintain confidentiality of your personal information and
business data to the extent permitted by law.
For Notary Services:
Notarial records may be subject to:
• Legal subpoenas or court orders
• Requests from law enforcement
• Maryland Secretary of State investigations
• Discovery in legal proceedings
For Cybersecurity & OSINT Services:
STRICT NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA):
All cybersecurity engagements are conducted under strict NDA.
We will NOT disclose:
• Vulnerability findings or security weaknesses
• System access credentials or configuration details
• OSINT research results or investigation findings
• Client business information or strategies
• Due diligence reports or assessment results
• Any information marked confidential by client
Exceptions:
We may disclose confidential information ONLY when:
• Required by law or court order (with notice to client)
• Necessary to defend against legal claims
• Client provides explicit written authorization
• Information becomes publicly available through no fault of ours
Our Obligations:
• Limit access to confidential information on need-to-know basis
• Use information solely for authorized purposes
• Return or destroy confidential materials upon request
• Maintain confidentiality indefinitely (survives engagement)
See our Privacy Policy for more information about data
handling and protection.
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[18] MODIFICATIONS TO TERMS
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time.
Changes will be posted on our website with an updated
"Last Updated" date.
Continued use of our services after changes constitutes
acceptance of the modified Terms.
For significant changes, we will make reasonable efforts to
notify clients via email.
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[19] SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable
or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining
provisions remain in full force and effect.
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[20] ENTIRE AGREEMENT
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the
entire agreement between you and Frame of Reference Solutions,
LLC for notary services.
These Terms supersede any prior agreements or understandings,
whether written or oral.
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[21] WAIVER
Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not
constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce
it in the future.
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[22] CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about these Terms of Service:
Frame of Reference Solutions, LLC
Email: [email protected]
Website: frameofreferencesolutions.com
Service Area: Central Maryland (Howard, Baltimore, Montgomery,
Anne Arundel, Frederick, Carroll Counties)
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[TERMS_OF_SERVICE_EOF]