Effective Date: [Month Day, Year]
[Company Legal Name] (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates [Website URL] (the “Site”) and provides private filing and document retrieval services including, without limitation, assistance obtaining a Florida Certificate of Status (the “Services”). We are a private filing agency and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, or any government agency.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit the Site or use the Services. By accessing or using the Site/Services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service.
1) Information We Collect
A. Information You Provide Directly
- Order & Identity Data: name, business name, document number/FEI/EIN (if provided), registered agent, entity address, email, phone number, mailing address.
- Payment Data: cardholder name, billing address, last 4 digits, transaction identifiers. Full card data is processed by our payment processor and not stored by us.
- Communications: emails, support chats, SMS/voice call recordings (where permitted), WhatsApp messages, and other correspondence.
- Uploads: documents or forms you submit for filing or verification.
B. Information Collected Automatically
- Usage & Device Data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, pages viewed, referring/exit pages, timestamps, and clickstream.
- Cookies & Similar Tech: session cookies, preference cookies, analytics pixels, and advertising tags. See Section 9 (Cookies).
C. Information from Third Parties
- Payment Processors: transaction status, fraud signals, chargeback data.
- Government Sources: public records or status lookups from the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) and other jurisdictions, as needed to provide the Services.
- Marketing/Lead Partners: where permitted by law and applicable agreements.
2) How We Use Information
We use information to:
- Provide, confirm, and fulfill orders (e.g., retrieve a Florida Certificate of Status or other records).
- Verify entity details with government databases and prepare filings.
- Process payments, prevent fraud, manage refunds/chargebacks.
- Communicate about orders, updates, reminders, policy changes, and support.
- Improve Site performance, user experience, and develop new features.
- Conduct analytics, debugging, and security monitoring.
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our agreements.
SMS/Voice/WhatsApp: With your consent, we may send transactional or promotional messages. You can opt out at any time (see Section 8).
3) Legal Bases (Where Applicable)
Where required (e.g., EU/UK/EEA), we rely on: (i) contract (providing the Services you request), (ii) legitimate interests (security, improvement, communications related to Services), (iii) consent (marketing/SMS cookies), and (iv) legal obligations.
4) Disclosure of Information
We may share information with:
- Vendors/Service Providers: payment processors (e.g., CardPointe/Authorize.net), hosting, email/SMS providers, analytics, customer support tools, and fraud-prevention services. They may only use data per our instructions.
- Government Agencies: Florida Department of State/Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) or other relevant agencies to complete a filing or records request.
- Professional Advisors & Compliance: auditors, legal counsel, and to comply with subpoenas, court orders, or lawful requests.
- Business Transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or asset sale.
- With Your Consent: when you direct us to share.
We do not sell personal information as defined by certain state laws. See Section 11 for state-specific rights.
5) Data Retention
We retain information as long as necessary to provide the Services, meet legal/accounting requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Typical retention: 3–7 years for order/transaction records; longer where legally required.
6) Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information we process. No security measures are perfect; we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7) Children’s Privacy
The Site/Services are not intended for individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). If you believe a child provided data, contact us to remove it.
8) Your Choices & Communications
- Email: You may unsubscribe from marketing emails via the footer link. Transactional emails (order/receipt/updates) will still be sent.
- SMS/Voice/WhatsApp: By providing a phone number, you consent to receive texts/calls (including autodialed or prerecorded) related to your order and, if you opt in, promotions. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out; HELP for help.
- Cookies: See Section 9 to manage preferences.
9) Cookies, Analytics & Ads
We and our vendors use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Site, remember preferences, analyze traffic, and measure/serve ads.
- Types: strictly necessary, performance/analytics, functionality, advertising.
- Control: you can set your browser to refuse cookies or use our cookie banner/preferences center (if available). Some features may not function without cookies.
- Analytics/Ads: We may use tools like Google Analytics/Ads, Meta Pixel, and similar platforms. These providers may collect or receive information to provide measurement services and ad targeting. You can opt out of Google Analytics at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
10) International Transfers
If you access the Site from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the U.S. and other countries which may have different data-protection laws than your country of residence. We take steps to apply appropriate safeguards where required.
11) State & Regional Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, delete, correct, or opt out of certain processing.
- California (CCPA/CPRA): California residents can request access, deletion, correction, and to limit use of sensitive personal information. We do not “sell” or “share” personal information as defined by CPRA. We honor global privacy control (GPC) signals where required.
- Virginia/Colorado/Connecticut/Utah, etc.: Similar rights may apply. Use the methods below to exercise rights.
- EU/UK/EEA: You may have rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.
Submitting Requests: Email us at [privacy@yourdomain.com] or use [Privacy Request Form URL]. We will verify your identity and respond within the timeframes required by applicable law.
12) Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) setting. We currently do not respond to DNT signals. We will update this section if our practices change.
13) Third-Party Links
The Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy or security of such sites. Review their policies before providing information.
14) Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated date will be shown at the top. Material changes will be notified via the Site or by email where required.
15) Contact Us
Florida Certificate of Status
Address: [Business Address]
Email: [privacy@yourdomain.com]
Phone: [Customer Support Phone]
If you have questions about this Policy or our data practices, please contact us.
Important Disclaimers
- We are a private filing agency; we are not a government entity. Fees include service and, where applicable, state charges.
- Florida Certificates of Status and related records are ultimately issued by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). We help facilitate retrieval and delivery for your convenience.