Terms and Conditions
Last Updated: 01.01.2026
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern the access to and use of services provided by the International Autograph Authentication Board (“IAAB”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). By accessing the IAAB website, submitting materials, or purchasing any IAAB service, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms.
If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not use IAAB services or submit any materials for examination.
1. ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS AND SERVICE MODEL
IAAB operates as an international coordination and expert assignment organization connecting clients with independent certified handwriting and forensic document examination experts located in multiple jurisdictions, including but not limited to Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Switzerland.
IAAB does not operate as a partnership or employer of its experts. All experts operate as independent professionals who are solely responsible for their professional analyses, methodologies, and conclusions.
IAAB is legally based in Ontario, Canada.
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2. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
By submitting an order, requesting a quote, sending materials, or otherwise engaging with IAAB services, the client acknowledges that they:
• Have read and understood these Terms
• Agree to be bound by these Terms
• Confirm they are legally authorized to submit the materials
• Confirm they are at least 18 years of age
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between the client and IAAB.
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3. NATURE OF SERVICES
IAAB provides professional handwriting and document examination services including, but not limited to:
• Online First Expert Opinion
• Online Autograph Examination and Certification
• Online Document Authentication
• In-Hand Autograph Examination
• In-Hand Document Examination
• Forensic Document Examination
Online services are conducted using digital materials submitted by clients and provide professional expert opinions based on available data.
In-hand and forensic services involve physical examination of original materials and may involve extended analytical processes and multiple expert collaboration.
IAAB services are professional analytical services and do not constitute legal, financial, investment, or appraisal advice.
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4. EXPERT ASSIGNMENT AND AVAILABILITY
Mandates received by IAAB are assigned to experts based on availability, specialization, jurisdictional considerations, and case suitability.
Assignments are generally made at IAAB’s discretion. While clients may request a specific expert, IAAB does not guarantee availability of any particular expert.
Experts may collaborate when required by the complexity of a mandate.
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5. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND METHODOLOGY
IAAB experts are trained and certified by recognized handwriting and forensic document examination institutions.
Experts conduct examinations using recognized professional methodologies, current technical knowledge, and their professional experience at the time of analysis.
Handwriting and forensic document examination methodologies continue to evolve. IAAB and its experts shall not be liable if future scientific or technological developments lead to reinterpretation of previous conclusions.
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6. EXPERT OPINIONS AND LIMITATIONS
All expert opinions, certifications, reports, and conclusions:
• Represent professional judgment at the time of examination
• Are based on materials provided by the client
• Do not constitute guarantees of authenticity acceptance by third parties
• Do not guarantee market value or resale outcomes
Clients acknowledge that professional opinions may differ between experts and that disagreement with conclusions does not constitute service failure.
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7. USE AND ADMISSIBILITY OF REPORTS
Expert reports may be used by clients for personal, commercial, insurance, or legal purposes. However, IAAB makes no representation or guarantee regarding admissibility, evidentiary value, or acceptance by courts, governmental bodies, institutions, or third parties.
Responsibility for determining admissibility rests solely with the relevant authority or court.
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8. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Clients represent and warrant that:
• Submitted materials are genuine and lawfully owned or authorized for submission
• Materials are not connected to criminal, fraudulent, or unlawful activities
• Digital materials accurately represent original documents
• All requested documentation is provided
IAAB reserves the right to refuse services if fraud, illegality, or misrepresentation is suspected.
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9. PAYMENT TERMS
All services must be paid in full prior to examination.
Payments are processed exclusively through PayPal or other approved third-party processors. IAAB does not collect or store financial or banking information.
No examination will start until payment and all required materials are received.
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10. REFUND POLICY
Refunds are issued only under the following circumstances:
• IAAB or assigned experts cannot render a professional conclusion
• Submitted materials are insufficient for examination
• IAAB refuses the mandate for technical, ethical, or legal reasons
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Refunds will NOT be issued in situations including but not limited to:
• Client disagreement with conclusions
• Negative authentication outcomes
• Results inconsistent with client expectations
• Client failure to provide requested materials
• Examination halted due to incomplete submissions
As IAAB provides professional services, once examination preparation or analysis begins, the client waives any right of withdrawal or cancellation.
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11. DELIVERY TIMEFRAMES
Timeframes published by IAAB are estimates only and may vary depending on:
• Case complexity
• Material quality
• Expert availability
• Technical requirements
• External logistical factors
IAAB shall not be liable for delays beyond its reasonable control.
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12. SHIPPING AND DELIVERY
IAAB uses third-party postal and courier providers. IAAB is not liable for loss, theft, delay, or damage during shipping unless directly caused by IAAB negligence.
Economy shipping is included without liability coverage. Clients are encouraged to request insured, trackable, or express shipping services at their expense.
IAAB does not deliver to PO boxes, forwarding services, or third-party mail handling services unless agreed in writing.
Incorrect addresses may result in additional shipping fees.
Replacement certificates or reports due to shipping loss may incur a €20 replacement fee.
Tracking availability may vary by country.
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13. HANDLING OF PHYSICAL ITEMS
Clients are responsible for secure packaging, insurance, and shipment of materials.
Experts are responsible for reasonable professional handling after receipt.
IAAB does not guarantee or maintain evidentiary chain of custody for submitted materials.
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14. DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS
Clients acknowledge that examinations based solely on digital materials may have limitations related to image quality, distortion, lighting, or incomplete representation.
IAAB and experts are not liable for conclusions affected by poor quality or incomplete digital submissions.
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15. CERTIFICATES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
All IAAB certificates, reports, analyses, logos, and written materials remain the intellectual property of IAAB and the issuing expert.
Certificates include:
• Unique serial numbers
• Official hologram(s)
• Handwritten expert signature
• Optional verification stamps
Certificates and reports may not be altered, reproduced, or misrepresented without written consent.
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16. CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION
IAAB maintains internal records for certificate traceability. Verification is available upon request by providing the certificate serial number.
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17. CONFIDENTIALITY AND COMMUNICATION RISKS
IAAB treats submissions and client data as confidential. However, clients acknowledge inherent risks associated with electronic communication. IAAB shall not be liable for data breaches, document leaks, or transmission losses via email or electronic systems.
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18. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the fullest extent permitted by law, IAAB shall not be liable for:
• Direct or indirect financial loss
• Loss of opportunity or profit
• Market value fluctuations
• Third-party reliance on expert reports
• Shipping losses caused by third parties
• Decisions made based on expert conclusions
IAAB’s total liability shall not exceed the amount paid by the client for the service in question.
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19. FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION
IAAB reserves the right to cancel services if fraudulent, misleading, or illegal materials are suspected. IAAB may retain documentation necessary for legal compliance.
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20. FORCE MAJEURE
IAAB shall not be liable for failure or delay caused by events beyond reasonable control including natural disasters, pandemics, cyberattacks, governmental actions, infrastructure failures, or third-party service interruptions.
Obligations may be suspended during such events.
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21. TERMINATION
IAAB may suspend or terminate services if clients violate these Terms, submit fraudulent materials, or engage in unlawful activities.
Clients may discontinue services at any time but remain responsible for fees incurred.
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22. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain fully effective.
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23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between IAAB and the client regarding the services and supersede all prior communications or agreements.
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24. MODIFICATIONS
IAAB reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Updated Terms become effective upon publication on the IAAB website.
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25. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Any disputes shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario.
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26. CONTACT INFORMATION
International Autograph Authentication Board (IAAB)
Email: authentication@iaaboard.com