Who knew that a small mark could cause so much trouble? Apostille for birth certificate, which are legal document certifications, can make even the simplest plans more difficult. If you need to send a birth certificate abroad quickly, don’t choose the first service you see on Google. Some of them are about as clear as water that is muddy.
Imagine giving important papers to a company that says they can do things quickly, easily, and have great reviews. After two weeks? No radio or TV at all. These days, your phone doesn’t ring as often as a payphone. In the meantime, your file is somewhere collecting dust. A lot of emotional ups and downs? That’s not the right way to handle important papers that could affect your next step in life.
Scammers like people who are really need help. Be wary of sites that don’t have an address that can be checked or whose phone number is answered by someone who sounds more lost than helpful. Run away as fast as you can if you can only contact customer service through what looks like a personal email address. Some will charge you for things they can’t do or raise prices in the middle of the process. “Oh, I’m sorry, you need an extra $100 for processing…” plus $75 more because it’s Thursday!” It must not feel like chance.
It’s a good idea to find out how long this service has been around. Any apostille service that is worth its salt should always be able to tell you where your papers are. Real professionals tell you about any problems and fees up front, before you pay a dime. If someone says “guaranteed overnight service” without giving you any government-approved dates, you should be very skeptical. No matter how cute their website is, they can’t change embassy lines or government breaks.
Do not forget about safety. A lot of the time, you give out ID numbers and locations. Check encryption and privacy rules three times. Take your business somewhere else if it sounds fishy or if they won’t give you straight answers.
Not just any article should be read. Read more than just the “testimonials” on their website. Find third-party sites that have some bad reviews on them. If everything seems too good to be true, it’s as suspicious as a bakery that’s empty during breakfast.
Call them. Send an email with a secret question. Test to see if the answers sound real or like they were written by a computer. A good service will treat you like you are important and not just another paper lying around on a desk.
With apostilles, you can’t afford to make mistakes, so keep your mind as sharp as a tack. Stick with services that tell you what to expect, speak clearly, and care about your issues. Not even that? It should be thrown away. Do a history check before giving over your life’s papers. It will save you time and stress.