Refund Policy | First Step Financial

First Step Financial Services – Refund Policy

At First Step Financial Services, we strive to provide accurate, professional, and reliable notary, loan signing, business credit consulting, and Apostille services. Our Refund Policy ensures transparency while maintaining compliance with Ohio state laws and industry best practices.

1. General Refund Policy

All payments for services are non-refundable once the service has been completed. Notarization is a legal act that cannot be undone; therefore, refunds cannot be issued once a document has been stamped, signed, and executed.

Refunds may be considered only under the following circumstances:

✅ Overpayment – If a client accidentally overpays for services, the excess amount will be refunded.
✅ Service Not Rendered – If a scheduled service was paid for but was not completed due to an error on our part, the client is eligible for a full refund or rescheduling at no additional charge.

2. No Refunds for Completed Services

We do not issue refunds for the following:
❌ Completed notarizations, loan signings, or Apostille processing once documents have been signed and/or submitted.
❌ Remote Online Notarization (RON) sessions that were completed, even if the document is later rejected by a third party.
❌ Business credit consulting services once the initial consultation and work have begun.
❌ Mobile Notary travel fees if the notary arrived at the designated location, but the signer:

Did not have valid identification.
Refused to sign the document.
Failed to appear at the scheduled appointment time.

3. Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

🔹 Notary & Mobile Notary Services – Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee.
🔹 Loan Signings & Real Estate Closings – If a loan signing is canceled within 24 hours of the appointment, a cancellation fee may apply due to time and preparation efforts.
🔹 Business Credit & Financial Services – If a consultation has been scheduled and payment has been processed, refunds are not available once work has begun. Clients may, however, request a rescheduling at no additional charge.
🔹 Apostille Services – Once a document has been submitted to the Ohio Secretary of State, refunds cannot be issued, as processing is out of our control.

4. Processing Refunds

If a refund is approved based on the conditions listed above:
✅ Refunds will be processed within 5-7 business days.
✅ Refunds will be issued via the original payment method (credit/debit card, Zelle, CashApp, or PayPal).
✅ Clients requesting a refund must submit a written request via email to [Your Email], including:

Full Name
Service Date & Type
Reason for Refund Request

5. Dispute Resolution

If you believe you are eligible for a refund and it was denied, please contact us directly at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email]. We are committed to providing fair resolutions while maintaining our service integrity.

6. Limitation of Liability:

Our liability in the event of an error is limited to the cost of the service provided.

7. Amendments:

This policy may be amended from time to time in accordance with changes in regulations and our business practices.