Privacy Policy

At TLG Apostille Services, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our website and services.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you use our services, we may collect:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
• Document Information: Copies of documents submitted for apostille services, including personal identification documents, educational records, corporate documents, legal documents, and vital records
• Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Communication Records: Correspondence with us via email, phone, or contact forms
• Service Details: Information about the services you request, destination countries, processing preferences

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referral sources
• Cookies: Small data files stored on your device (see Cookie section below)
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: Processing your apostille requests, submitting documents to government authorities, coordinating with Secretary of State offices
• Communication: Sending status updates, responding to inquiries, providing customer support
• Payment Processing: Processing payments and maintaining transaction records
• Legal Compliance: Complying with legal obligations, responding to legal requests, preventing fraud
• Service Improvement: Analyzing usage patterns, improving our website and services, developing new features
• Marketing: Sending promotional emails about our services (you can opt-out at any time)

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

• Government Authorities: Secretary of State offices, U.S. Department of State, and other governmental entities as necessary to process apostille requests
• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist with payment processing, shipping, email services, website hosting, and analytics (bound by confidentiality agreements)
• Professional Advisors: Attorneys, accountants, or consultants when necessary for business operations
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, subpoena, or government request; to protect our rights or the rights of others; to investigate fraud or security issues

4. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
• Secure document storage with restricted access
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Employee confidentiality agreements and training
• Physical security of our facilities

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Generally:

• Active Clients: Information retained while providing services and for a reasonable period after service completion
• Transaction Records: Maintained for at least 7 years for accounting, tax, and legal compliance purposes
• Marketing Data: Retained until you opt-out or request deletion
• Website Analytics: Aggregated data retained indefinitely; individual data retained for shorter periods

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

6. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link
• Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Restrict Processing: Request limitation on how we process your information

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected] or 208-432-7508. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you interact with our website
• Improve website functionality and performance
• Analyze traffic and usage patterns
• Deliver relevant content and advertisements

Types of cookies we use:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for website operation; cannot be disabled
• Functional Cookies: Remember your choices and preferences
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand website usage (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing to show relevant ads

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., government websites, payment processors). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child without parental consent, we will delete it promptly. If you believe we have information about a child, please contact us immediately.

10. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information we collect, use, and share
• Right to delete personal information (with certain exceptions)
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected] with "CCPA Request" in the subject line.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries that may have different data protection laws than your country of residence.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: