Meet the Team
Marilsa Bayne - Co-Founder and COO
Marlisa Bayne, commonly known as Mari, serves as the COO and co-owner of the company. With a professional journey beginning in 1982 in Connecticut and extending through New York and Florida, Mari brings over 30 years of exclusive experience in the legal community. Mari gained significant expertise in the field of adoption, serving on the Board of Directors for various organizations such as Jeremiah’s Child and Mary’s Shelter.
She was also a director at large for the Florida Adoption Council (FAC) from 2007-2011 and chaired the FAC Annual Conference Committee, planning advanced adoption training statewide.
From 2006 to 2010, she served as the Director of Program Development for a prominent Florida adoption agency, where she had the opportunity to present adoption-themed training programs in the courts, hospitals, and other organizations throughout Central Florida.
This expertise in adoption culminated in invitations by an Adjunct Professor at Barry School of Law in Orlando, Florida, to lecture on Practical Adoption Procedures and Processing.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Mari previously served the State of Connecticut as a Simultaneous Courtroom Interpreter. In her current role, she is also a certified online notary who specializes in online notarizations in the Spanish language. Mari’s lifelong passion for community service extends beyond her professional role; she is an avid reader, crocheter, fur-mom to our dogs Daisy Mae, Pierce, Benjamin, and Lilliana, and cats Hector and Harry. She is also a staunch advocate against animal cruelty, actively promoting pet adoptions through rescue organizations and no-kill shelters.
John Bayne - CEO and Co-Founder
John Bayne is the CEO and co-owner of Florida Document Specialists. After a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement, John retired as a Police Sergeant, having served in critical roles such as homicide detective, 911 communications center supervisor, and accreditation manager.
John brings that same level of discipline, precision, and public service to his work in the document services industry. Since founding the company with his wife, Marilsa, he has helped build it into a respected, family-owned business offering nonlawyer document services, online notarization, apostille, and mobile notary services across Florida and beyond.
Recognized nationally, John was honored as the 2021 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association. He is a commissioned Florida Notary Public and a certified online notary, with a special focus on coordinating complex international notarizations for clients around the globe.
Behind the scenes, John is also the architect of the company’s technology-driven workflows, building secure, scalable systems that power the firm’s online services. His technical acumen, combined with real-world leadership experience, continues to drive innovation and excellence across all areas of the business.
In his free time, John enjoys flying as a private pilot, amateur radio (call sign N4EEB), riding his motorcycle, and fishing—often in the company of his beloved dogs and his occasionally stubborn cas.
Amanda Bayne - Office Manager and Director of Notary and Financial Operations
Amanda Bayne joined Florida Document Specialists in 2019 as a receptionist and quickly rose through the ranks to become our Office Manager—and much more. Today, she is not only the backbone of our daily operations but also a Director of the corporation, contributing to strategic planning, growth initiatives, and long-term vision.
In addition to managing the company’s finances and day-to-day logistics, Amanda oversees marketing efforts and plays a key role in expanding our services and customer reach.
Her strong organizational skills, tireless work ethic, and eye for efficiency help keep the business running smoothly behind the scenes.
Amanda also remains actively involved in client services. She performs online notarizations, manages apostille processing, and supervises the nonlawyer preparation of a wide range of estate planning documents, including wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, and lady bird deeds.
As the proud mother of the CEO’s three beautiful grandchildren, Amanda holds a special place in the heart of the organization—balancing her leadership responsibilities with warmth, humor, and a deeply rooted commitment to the family values that define our company culture.
Linda Bayne - Remote Online Notary, Apostille Agent, CRM Manager, and Document Technician
Linda Bayne is a multi-faceted and essential member of the Florida Document Specialists team, having joined in 2021. As a commissioned Remote Online Notary and experienced Apostille Agent, she provides online notarizations for clients around the world and manages apostille projects for both Florida and federal documents with precision and care.
Linda also plays a key role in the technical backbone of our operations. She leads the management and automation of our CRM system and integrates it with the various tools and platforms used in our workflow.
Her expertise in automation and process optimization helps keep our services efficient and responsive.
In addition to her tech responsibilities, Linda handles a high volume of eRecording transactions, including deeds and Notices of Commencement, ensuring documents are submitted quickly and correctly to county offices across Florida.
Known for her quiet professionalism and problem-solving skills, Linda is a soft-spoken and patient notary who puts clients at ease—especially during online notarization sessions. She also assists with document preparation for divorce and estate planning matters, helping individuals and families navigate important life transitions.
Carola Fernandez - Remote Online Notary, Loan Signing Agent, South Florida Mobile Notary
Carola Fernandez is a seasoned notary professional with nearly a decade of experience in the real estate and title industry. Her background as a Title Processor has equipped her with a strong command of real estate documents, closing procedures, and the attention to detail required to ensure error-free signings. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Carola serves a diverse client base across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
She is commissioned as a Florida Notary Public and Remote Online Notary (RON) and is a certified Loan Signing Agent.
Carola handles a high volume of online notarizations for Spanish-speaking signers, providing trusted service in their preferred language and ensuring they feel informed and confident throughout the process. Whether performing mobile or remote notarizations, she prioritizes clarity, efficiency, and a seamless signing experience for every client.
Carola is proud to be part of the Florida Document Specialists team, helping individuals and families across South Florida—and around the world—navigate their most important documents with confidence and care.
Proudly Serving Florida with Integrity and Care
As a family-owned business rooted in Florida, we’re dedicated to delivering high-quality, nonlawyer document preparation, online notarization, mobile notary, and apostille services at fair and transparent prices. Our team brings together a wide range of skills, deep experience, and a strong commitment to serving our community. We’re here to help you navigate your document and certification needs with confidence and clarity. Thank you for trusting Florida Document Specialists.
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