Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. We use bank-level 256-bit encryption for all digital files. Your sensitive data is only accessible by the specific concierge handling your case.
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Your originals are treated as irreplaceable. They are logged into our secure system upon arrival and hand-carried through government offices - never left unattended.
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Never. We only provide necessary information to the government offices or consulates required to process your documents. We do not sell or share client data.
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We retain digital scans for a limited window to ensure you have a backup. After your case is finalized and received, we purge sensitive data according to legal privacy standards.
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Yes. Every member of the Maxwell & Co. team undergoes rigorous vetting to ensure the highest level of integrity and discretion for our clients.
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For high-profile or corporate clients, we are happy to sign an NDA to ensure total privacy for your legal or personal matters.
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Every completed order includes a high-resolution digital scan for your immediate records. The physical originals are then dispatched via tracked courier. We provide complimentary 2–3 day tracked shipping as part of our standard service.
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Yes. Global delivery via DHL, FedEx, or UPS International Priority is included in our premium service packages. For clients requiring an even faster turnaround, international or domestic overnight delivery is available for an additional fee. Please specify your urgency during intake to ensure the fastest possible dispatch.
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Because tracked, priority shipping is already included in your package to ensure a secure chain of custody, we manage all outbound logistics through our professional accounts. While you may provide your own label at your discretion, Maxwell & Co. cannot assume responsibility for the document once it is collected by the carrier using third-party postage.
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While we use priority tracking for all shipments, we also maintain high-resolution scans of every document on file. In the rare event of a carrier loss, these scans allow us to facilitate a rapid replacement and re-certification to minimize any delay in your timeline.
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Due to the sensitive nature of vital records and legal documents, we highly recommend a "Signature Required" delivery. If you choose to waive this requirement, Maxwell & Co. cannot be held liable for documents left unattended or lost after the carrier confirms delivery.
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Yes. We can coordinate final delivery directly to your legal representative, employer, or the relevant foreign consulate. Simply provide the third-party address and contact details during your intake, and we will handle the routing for you.
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The current NYC mail-in backlog for vital records is approximately 8 weeks. We act as your legal proxy to bypass the mail entirely. By hand-carrying your documents through the Health Dept, County Clerk, and Secretary of State, we turn a 2-month ordeal into a 24-to-72 hour reality.
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The ‘Turnkey’ Difference.
Most agencies provide a single ‘stamp’ and leave the rest to you. At Maxwell & Co., we provide all-inclusive, concierge-level bundles. While other services charge per signature, per translation page, and per agency visit (leading to unexpected costs and logistical gaps) our flat-fee model covers the entire lifecycle of your document.
From fresh long-form retrieval and certified legal translation to physical hand-carry authentication and international delivery, we handle every friction point. You aren't just hiring a notary; you are hiring a dedicated partner to ensure your file is consulate-ready with zero "nickel-and-diming" or hidden fees.
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At Maxwell & Co., we prioritize Need & Speed. Our pricing tiers reflect the logistical complexity and the expedited 'courier-track' required to meet specific deadlines. Whether you require an emergency 24-hour turnaround or a standard 7-day authentication, you are paying for a guaranteed slot in our high-efficiency pipeline to meet your deadlines.
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To maintain total transparency, our 'Full-Service' packages include all Secretary of State fees, retrieval costs, and express shipping coordination. We include these fees so your documentation moves through the chain without the friction of multiple invoices.
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Immediately. Our secure portal is open 24/7 for you to initiate your request and upload your documents.
Same-Day Emergency Service (T/W/Th): To secure your spot in our hand-carried priority window, bookings must be finalized by 9:00 AM ET. This ensures our on-site staff can begin the physical navigation of government offices the same morning.
The Maxwell Queue: Once your order is placed, it is instantly added to our active workflow. We review all submissions in the order they are received, ensuring that every document is verified and prepared for its specific state or consular track by the next available business window.
Real-Time Digital Access: As soon as your documents are processed and sealed, a high-resolution digital scan is uploaded to your secure folder, providing you with the results you need to move forward without waiting for the courier..
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The timeline is determined by your destination country’s requirements and the specific complexity of your document.
Apostille (Hague Convention Countries): For countries like Spain, Portugal, or Mexico, we utilize a streamlined certification process. Our Same-Day tier completes this in under 24 hours.
Authentication & Legalization (Non-Hague Countries): Countries like Vietnam, Thailand, or the UAE require a multi-step process. This involves state-level verification followed by physical presentation at the destination’s Embassy or Consulate. This typically adds 2–5 business days depending on the specific consulate's jurisdiction.
Document Retrieval by Proxy: When we are tasked with retrieving a "Long Form" record from a government vault, we bypass the standard 4–8 week mail-in backlog. Our staff secures the document in person, often allowing us to begin the Apostille process within the same business day.
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The "Wet Signature" Clarity: "This depends on the document type. While we can process many documents via high-quality scans for Remote Online Notarization, certain government records and Consular Legalizations require 'Wet Signature' originals. We will provide a specific document checklist immediately upon booking to ensure compliance.
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Yes. Our commissioned notaries provide legally binding U.S. notarizations for clients globally via secure audio-video sessions. This digital solution allows you to execute your documents from anywhere in the world, making them immediately ready for the Apostille process without the need for travel or embassy visits.
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We specialize in the translation of standardized template-based documents (such as Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates, or Apostille certifications) required for visa applications. Our translations are designed to meet the administrative standards of consulates and foreign offices.
Note: For complex litigation, medical records, or specialized court transcripts, we can facilitate a Certified Legal Translator at a supplemental rate.
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The destination country determines the track. An Apostille is a simplified certification for countries in the Hague Convention. Legalization is a multi-step process for non-Hague countries (like Vietnam or UAE) that requires additional state-level authentication and a physical visit to the destination's Consulate.
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Yes. We have extensive experience with the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa and residency requirements. We ensure your FBI background checks, social security letters, and civil documents are apostilled and translated exactly to the standards required by Spanish consulates and the UGE-CE.
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We coordinate the logistics for you. While we are on-site in New York and Florida, we maintain a network of professional staff nationwide. We manage the entire chain of custody to ensure your document is retrieved and processed correctly regardless of its state of origin.
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Your originals are treated as irreplaceable. They are logged into our secure system upon arrival and hand-carried through government offices - never left unattended.
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To guarantee same-day retrieval and authentication, your Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) must be notarized via RON by 6:30 AM EST. This allows our team to be at the agency counters when they open. Sessions completed after 6:30 AM will be processed in the next business day’s priority tier.
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We provide more than just a tracking number. Our staff personally takes every package to the UPS counter for an immediate "Acceptance Scan." You will receive a high-resolution digital scan of your authenticated document by 8 PM EST, followed by a photo of your shipping receipt for total peace of mind.
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It is the difference between "Legal Certainty" and "Bureaucratic Rejection."
Most clients believe they have an "Original" record, but foreign consulates and the Secretary of State have extremely specific requirements for 2026:
The "Exemplification" Requirement: In NYC, an Apostille usually requires a "Long-Form" certificate accompanied by a Letter of Exemplification. Most people possess the "Short-Form" computer printout, which is automatically rejected by the Secretary of State.
The "Freshness" Rule: Most consulates (especially Spain) require your records to be issued within the last 3 to 6 months. That birth certificate in your safe from 1995 is legally "expired" for residency visa purposes.
The "Chain of Custody": When we retrieve the record directly from the Department of Health or the City Clerk, we ensure it has the correct original ink signatures and seals required for immediate authentication.
Risk of Loss: Sending your only original copy through the mail to a government office is a high-risk gamble. When we retrieve it, we are the Physical Custodians of your record from the printer to the Apostille office.
Bottom Line: Having us retrieve a fresh, "Long-Form" copy ensures your application isn't rejected after a 12-week wait. We don't just "get papers"—we secure Legal Compliance.
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Our high-resolution PDF scan (guaranteed by 8:00 PM ET) provides immediate peace of mind.
You’ll find that many consulates and international offices allow you to submit this digital version to keep your application moving while the physical originals are in transit. It effectively "stops the clock" on your deadlines.
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Yes. Because we operate as your physical proxy, we don't rely on the government mailroom. Our field staff, physically stands at the window at the NYC County Clerk and the Secretary of State on the same-day or your same-day request.
You’ll find that while the mail-in processes can be unpredictable, a hand-carry mission ensures your document is authenticated during business hours and scanned into your inbox by 8:00 PM ET that same night. We don't leave the office until the job is done.
Note: To guarantee this speed, your Remote Online Notary (RON) session or document arrival must be completed by our 6:30 AM ET cutoff. This allows us to hit the government offices the moment they open.
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Because "Same-Day" isn't just a deadline for us, it’s a mission. This rate reflects the surgical speed of our dedicated New York City field staff who drops everything to hand-carry your documents through the County Clerk and Secretary of State offices in person. You are paying for a "Priority-One" slot where we are able to bypass the logistical uncertainty of mail-in processing.
This is a white-glove, hand-carried service for those who need 100% certainty and a digital scan in their inbox by the end of the business day.
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Maxwell & Co. provides elite notarial, apostille, translation, and document concierge services across New York, Florida, nationwide and globally. We specialize in hand-carried same-day apostilles, document retrieval by proxy, certified translations, and comprehensive Spanish residency (DNV) support. From individual vital records to full-service legalization for international use, we manage the entire lifecycle of your document.
Please check out our services page for more.
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Booking is a streamlined, secure process designed to get your documents moving immediately:
Select Your Service Category: Choose the tier that matches your timeline—Same-Day Emergency (Tuesday–Thursday), Expedited, or Standard.
Review Our Bundle Options: Before finalizing, please review our Concierge Bundles (such as the RON + Apostille package and the Spanish Visa Digital Nomad packages). These are designed to save you significant time and cost by grouping notarization, retrieval, and translation into one seamless workflow.
Upload & Details: Provide your document details and upload a clear scan for our initial review. If you need us to obtain a record for you, ensure you select the appropriate Retrieval by Proxy option.
Secure Payment: Finalize your booking via our encrypted gateway. Once confirmed, your case is officially opened and prioritized in our active workflow.everything—from notarization to apostille, translations, and retrieval—while you track your order in real time.
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We operate as a high-end Document Concierge with a dedicated physical presence in major administrative hubs, including New York and Florida. We specialize in high-stakes, time-sensitive cases where 'standard' service is insufficient. Our capability to provide Hand-Carried Same-Day Apostille and Document Retrieval by Proxy means we act as your authorized local representative, physically navigating government offices so you don’t have to.
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You are investing in a Managed 'One-Stop Shop' Solution.
Your fee covers:
Zero-Friction Scheduling: We manage the entire appointment process for you. You don't have to 'camp' on government websites; we secure the earliest possible window for your retrieval.
Managed Proxy Retrieval: We act as your physical presence at the NYC and Greater NY (Long Island and Westchester) government windows. We navigate the complex 'Extended' and 'Exemplified' certificate requirements that cause 90% of DIY rejections.
The Full Chain of Legality: We hand-carry your record through the mandatory 3-step authentication chain (Local/Court → County Clerk → Secretary of State).
All-Inclusive Logistics: Your bundle includes the mandatory Remote Online Notarization (RON) session for the limited POA, all government filing fees, and Tracked Global Priority Shipping.
Forensic Document Review: Before we even hit the government window, we audit your case details. We ensure your record won’t be rejected, saving you weeks of back-and-forth "hiccups.
Bridge to the U.S.: We act as your physical proxy. You don't need to fly back, find a local printer, or deal with U.S. Post Offices. From the Remote Online Notarization (RON) session to the final Global Courier drop, the process is 100% remote for you.
Tiered Efficiency: We offer expedited tiers for emergencies and urgent moves. If you aren't in a rush, our Standard tier offers the same professional oversight at a batch-processed rate.
Digital-First Speed: Receive a high-resolution 'Surgical Scan' of your finalized dossier by 8:00 PM EST on the day of completion so you can start your filing immediately.
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If you are unsure of what you need or which New York or Florida documents are required for your specific visa (Spain NLV/DNV, Italy, Mexico, etc.), we recommend starting with a Maxwell & Co. Global Compliance Audit:
The $50 Digital Audit: Perfect for a 15-minute forensic review of your existing scans. We identify improper signatures, expired certifications, or missing "Exemplification" letters before you hit the consulate.
The $150 "Total Dossier" Strategy Session: A deep-dive consultation for complex bicultural cases (Single Status + Divorce + Property). We map out your entire "Chain of Legality" across multiple states and provide a custom execution roadmap.
The Maxwell Credit: To ensure your success, 100% of your Audit fee is credited back toward any full-service "Retrieval & Apostille Bundle" booked within 30 days. We don't just find the "hiccups", we fix them.
Not ready for a deep dive?
If you have a quick question or just want a "gut check" on a specific document, look for the "Need Help?" Inquiry Form located on nearly every page of our site.
You’ll find that this is the fastest way to get in touch. Simply fill out the form, and you can transition the conversation to WhatsApp for a real-time chat with our team. We can do a high-level review of your situation and guide you toward the right tier or audit to get your move back on track.
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Yes. Maxwell & Co. is a full-service concierge. We manage the entire lifecycle of your request: from intake and retrieval to certified translation, notarization, and physical government filings. You provide the documents once—we navigate the bureaucracy and deliver the results."
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Absolutely. This is the core of our "Global Bridge" service. Being overseas is no longer a barrier to getting your U.S. documents in order. We have two primary ways to solve this for you:
Remote Online Notarization (RON): You can legally sign and notarize your Power of Attorney or Affidavits from your laptop anywhere in the world. We host a secure digital session, and the resulting document is immediately ready for the Apostille process.
Retrieval by Proxy: If you need a physical record but cannot obtain it yourself, we act as your authorized representative. This process typically requires a Limited Power of Attorney (LPA) (which we handle and prepare for you, included in your package) allowing our staff to physically navigate government offices to secure the required documents on your behalf.
Full-Service Dispatch: Once your documents are completed and scanned for your immediate use, we manage the international courier process to ensure the physical originals arrive safely at your doorstep abroad.
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The "Proxy" Advantage:
Whether you’re already located abroad or in the planning phase of one of the most important moves in your life, navigating New York City’s multi-agency requirements is a significant logistical burden. Our $1,150 Elite Service provides you with a dedicated Physical Proxy on the ground in Manhattan.The alternative to our service often involves a costly and stressful emergency return to the United States. Between international airfare (averaging $2,000+), multi-night hotel stays, and/or the complexity of coordinating between various city and state offices, a personal trip can easily exceed $3,500 in total costs.
For a fraction of that expense, we act as your boots-on-the-ground. We handle the 5:30 AM ET secure notarizations, the mandatory in-person filings, and the physical hand-delivery of your documents. You aren’t just paying for a document; you are paying for professional representation at the source to ensure your mission is successful the first time.
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The ‘Certainty of Acceptance’ Factor:
While standard mail-in options exist, the current 2026 administrative backlog in New York City is 8 to 12 weeks. For most international visa applications, real estate closings, or legal deadlines, a three-month wait is a deal-breaker.Our $1,150 Elite Service, for example, bypasses the mail-in queue entirely. By providing dedicated physical representation at the government window, we transform a 90-day waiting period into a guaranteed same-day result.
Furthermore, we provide professional oversight to ensure the document retrieved is the specific, high-level version required for international legal use. Most 'DIY' requests result in standard records that are frequently rejected by foreign consulates. We secure the correct, embassy-ready version at the source, preventing clerical errors that could reset your legal timeline by months. You are investing in guaranteed speed and professional certainty.
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The "White-Glove" Logistics:
To guarantee an 8:00 PM digital scan, our runner must be at the government windows the moment they open. Administrative delays at the source are unpredictable; a minor delay in the morning can result in missing the final afternoon filing window.The 6:30 AM ET cutoff ensures your file is processed and in our runner's hands before the morning departure. This precision is how we bypass standard 12-week backlogs and maintain our 100% success rate for Elite international filings.
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Yes. We partner with law firms, HR departments, and relocation agencies to provide bulk processing and priority accounts for corporate teams.
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Yes. While we are the premier specialists for the specialized certification requirements of New York and the high-demand hubs of Florida, we serve a global clientele.
Nationwide Support: We facilitate document services across the United States. Whether your record originates in California, Illinois, or Texas, we provide a single, professional point of contact to manage the entire process, ensuring every state-specific requirement is met.
Global Accessibility: We specialize in assisting clients who are already overseas. If you are currently in Europe, Asia, or South America, you do not need to travel back to the U.S. to handle your paperwork. We act as your domestic liaison to retrieve, notarize, and apostille your documents remotely.
On-Site Representation: We provide the physical presence required in U.S. government offices to ensure your documents are handled with priority, keeping your international transition or legal matters on track without delay.
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Yes, through our Managed Logistics Hub. To ensure a "Hiccup-Free" experience and prevent rejections, we offer two distinct execution paths depending on New York’s jurisdictional rules:
NYC Birth & Death (5 Boroughs): New York City requires the person named on the record to initiate the request. We provide a managed end-to-end solution for NYC and Greater NY records. Depending on the specific jurisdiction, we act as your In-Person Proxy or manage the Expedited Receiving of your documents at our secure New York facility. This ensures your "Long-Form" or "Exemplified" records are transitioned immediately into our hand-carried Apostille chain, bypassing weeks of international mail delays.
NYC Marriage & Divorce (5 Boroughs): These records are available via our Authorized Proxy service. Note: NYC Marriage currently has a 2-week appointment backlog, and Divorce Decrees require a mandatory 2-week court processing period for the required "Exemplified" version. Our priority window begins the moment your record is secured at the window.
Greater NY (Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester): We provide full-service, in-person retrieval for Birth, Marriage, and Divorce records in these suburban hubs via Power of Attorney (POA).
The Maxwell Standard Difference:
We don't just "order" paper. Whether through our Managed Receiving Hub or our In-Person Proxy, we ensure you receive the specific "Extended" or "Exemplified" versions required for global acceptance. We eliminate the 12-week mail-in rejection cycle and deliver a "Consulate-Ready" dossier to your door abroad. -
Absolutely. Many government offices require a Limited Power of Attorney to allow a third party to retrieve your records. We prepare this document for you as part of your service package and facilitate the notarization remotely (included at no extra cost) so you don't have to visit an embassy.