Certification Guide
Agency Certification Guide (BETA)

This document serves to describe the ACoE Certification (Paragraph 6) of the Agency Code of Ethics.

Stage 1 Certification - General Business Compliance

Step 1 - Application
Send email to: Certification@CertifiedMarriageAgencies.org with statement of desire to be certified.

Step 2 - Payment
Fee for Stage 1 Certification is $5.00 USD. Payment is made via PayPal to email ID: Certification@CertifiedMarriageAgencies.org.

Step 3 - Review
Agency will submit to IR copies of the following documents or written statement of the reason for their omission:
  1. Business Registration Documents which demonstrates Agency's legal right to conduct business in their country or locale.
  2. Document showing Agency's physical address, permanent telephone number(s), and email contact.
  3. Document signed by owner of the Agency certifying accuracy of documents.
SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS: Unaltered photocopies or scans of original documents are acceptable. If written in a language other than english, please provide a certified translation. Documents may be submitted via attachments to email, fax, regular mail, or uploaded to the CertifiedMarriageAgencies.org website (preferred). Document submittals should be in common format such as PDF.

Upon receipt and verification of requested documents, IR will notify Agency contact of decision.

Step 4 - Post-Award
Following successful award of Stage 1 Certification, Agency will be provided a "Stage 1 Certified" Seal and shall implement the following:
  1. "Stage 1 Certified" Seal shall be prominently displayed on Agency's Home Page.
  2. Provide a simple mechanism (button or text link) for Clients to report abuse/complaints to Agency directly adjacent to Seal.
  3. Seal shall provide a link to IR ACoE Certification page (to be provided upon successful certification) so that Clients may view the Agency's conformance to the ACoE & report incidents of abuse/complaints to IR.
Stage 2 Certification - Ethics

Step 1 - Application
At least 90 days after award of Stage 1 Certification, an Agency may apply for Stage 2 Certification. Send email to: Certification@CertifiedMarriageAgencies.org with statement of desire to be certified for Stage 2 Certification.

Step 2 - Payment
Fees for Stage 2 Certification is $500.00 USD. Payment is made via PayPal to email ID: Certification@CertifiedMarriageAgencies.org.

Step 3 - Review
Agency will submit to IR copies of the following documents or written statement of the reason for their omission:
  1. Copy of Agency's Terms and Conditions of Service (a/k/a: Terms of Use or Terms of Service) provided to all clients of the Agency.
  2. Copy of Privacy Policy provided to all clients of the Agency.
  3. Copy of Client Confidentiality document provided to all Agency personnel.
  4. List of Affiliate organizations or individuals which may provide services to clients of the Agency.
  5. Copy(ies) of all documents binding Affiliates of the Agency to conform to Agency Terms and Conditions of Service, Agency Privacy Policy, and Client Confidentiality Policy.
  6. Copy(ies) of current internet web pages displaying items 2, 3, and 4 above, and prominent reference to active URL's for verification.
  7. Agency Operations Manual, Procedures, and Forms, if applicable.
  8. Agency Training/Staff Manual, if applicable.
  9. Agency Anti-Scam Policy.
  10. Copy of document to be provided to Clients of the agency describing ACoE Certification process and remedies, and Agency commitment to same.
  11. Document signed by owner of the Agency certifying accuracy and common use and practice of all listed documents.
SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS: Unaltered photocopies or scans of original documents are acceptable. If written in a language other than english, please provide a certified translation. Documents may be submitted via attachments to email, fax, regular mail, or uploaded to the CertifiedMarriageAgencies.org website (preferred). Document submittals should be in common format such as PDF.

Upon receipt and verification of requested documents, IR will notify Agency contact of decision.

Following successful award of Stage 2 Certification, Agency will be provided a "Stage 2 Certified" Seal which shall be prominently displayed on Agency's website as described in the Stage 1 Certification program.

Stage 3 Certification - Customer Service/Satisfaction

Step 1 - Application
At least 180 days after award of Stage 2 Certification, an Agency may apply for Stage 3 Certification. Send email to: Certification@CertifiedMarriageAgencies.org with statement of desire to be certified for Stage 3 Certification.

Step 2 - Payment
Fees for Stage 3 Certification are variable and will be quoted at time of request for Certification.

Step 3 - Review
Certification requires on-site review of the following:
  1. Agency process for insuring Client Satisfaction.
  2. Random selection of Client scam reports.
  3. Demonstration of responses to Client scam reports.
  4. Random review of Client Profiles.
  5. Random review of Client correspondence flowing through Agency.
  6. Review other Client complaints.
  7. Review Agency responses.
Upon review and verification of requested documents, IR will notify Agency contact of decision.

Following successful award of Stage 3 Certification, Agency will be provided a "Stage 3 Certified" Seal which shall be prominently displayed on Agency's website as described in the Stage 1 Certification program.

Agencies achieving Stage 3 Certification are subject to unscheduled subsequent visits for purposes of insuring maintenance of this prestigious level of certification.

Re-Certification

Certifications are valid for a period of 24 months. Agencies may apply to be re-certified 180 days prior to the expiration of their Certification. Re-Certification fees are 50% of original certification fee.

Revised 20 November 2006
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