Terms of Service

1. Introduction and agreement to terms

This Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement ("Agreement") is by and between USVitalCertificates.org ("USVC," "we," "us," or "our") and you ("you" or "your"). This Agreement governs your access to and use of the USVC website (the "Website") and its services (collectively, the "Service").

By clicking the order submission button or using any part of this Website, you agree you have read, understand, and are bound by this Agreement, including policies referenced herein (like our Privacy Policy). If you disagree, you must stop using the Website and Service immediately.

USVC may change this Agreement. Material changes will be noted by updating the "Last Updated" date or by other appropriate means. Review this Agreement periodically. Continued use after changes means you accept the revised Agreement.

2. Privacy policy

Your privacy is important. Information submitted is subject to our Privacy Policy, which is part of this Agreement.

3. Electronic communications

Using our Service or sending us emails means you are communicating with us electronically. You consent to receive electronic communications from us (e.g., emails, website notices). You agree these satisfy legal requirements for written communication.

4. Description of service

USVC provides an online platform and application assistance service to help individuals prepare, review, and submit applications for official vital records from U.S. government agencies.

You acknowledge:

• USVC is a third-party application preparation and assistance service, acting as a liaison.

• USVC is NOT a government agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government entity.

• You can obtain records directly from government agencies, possibly at a lower cost. Our Service offers convenience, expert assistance, and application review to enhance accuracy.

• USVC fees are for our value-added assistance services (see Section 6) and are separate from and in addition to government agency fees or shipping fees.

• USVC does not issue vital records; issuance is at the sole discretion of the government agency.

• Use of information on this Website is at your own risk.

5. Eligibility and user responsibilities

5.1. Eligibility, authority, and lawful purpose. You must be at least 18 and able to form legally binding contracts. You warrant you are eligible under applicable state laws to request the vital records. If applying for another person (e.g., a minor), you warrant you have legal authority and necessary consents. You agree to provide proof of authority if required.

5.2. Accuracy of information. You agree to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information. You are solely responsible for its accuracy. USVC is not liable for issues arising from inaccurate information you provide.

5.3. User acknowledgements. You acknowledge:

• Our service is generally rendered once your application is processed and submitted by us to the government agency.

• Quoted processing and shipping times are estimates and subject to change due to external factors (government agencies, carriers) beyond our control.

• You must promptly respond to requests for additional information.

5.4. Use of third-party platforms. You authorize USVC to input your information into third-party state-affiliated or government-authorized platforms, or submit via other approved channels, as necessary to fulfill the Service.

6. Fees, payments, and taxes

Fees for our Service will be disclosed before you order. They typically include:

• USVC service fee: for our application preparation, review, submission assistance, support, and operational costs.

• Government agency fees: mandatory fees for the vital record, collected by us and remitted to the agency.

• Shipping fees: for chosen shipping methods, charged by carriers.

All fees are in U.S. Dollars. USVC service fees for new orders are subject to change. Government and shipping fees are subject to change by those entities; if a fee changes after your order but before agency submission, we will attempt to notify you. You agree to pay all charges. You warrant your payment information is accurate and authorized. You are responsible for applicable taxes. Charges may appear separately or under different merchant names on your statement.

6.1. Service inactivity and potential additional fees. If your application remains incomplete on your part for an extended period (e.g., 45 days), causing verifications or information to expire, additional fees may be required to continue. You will be notified and may opt to pay or request a refund per our policy.

7. User conduct

You agree to comply with this Agreement and all applicable laws. You will not, nor assist others to:

• Engage in fraudulent, unlawful, or abusive activities.

• Submit false, misleading, or unauthorized information.

• Impersonate others.

• Use spam or automated means (robots, scrapers, etc.) to access the Website (except compliant search engines).

• Interfere with the Service, or use viruses or disruptive technology.

• Reverse engineer, modify, or resell the Service or Website content without authorization.

• Collect user personal information without consent.

8. Cancellation and refund policy

USVC is committed to customer satisfaction.

• Fee distinction: our service fee is for application assistance. Government agency and shipping fees are passed to those entities.

• Cancellation and service fee refund (prior to agency submission): you may request cancellation and a full USVC service fee refund if your application has not yet been processed and submitted by us to the government agency. Contact client support immediately.

• Service fee (after agency submission): generally non-refundable as our service is then rendered.

• Service fee (non-performance/error by USVC): may be considered if USVC demonstrably fails its core service or a significant error on our part prevents agency acceptance. Reviewed individually.

• Non-refundable circumstances (generally for all fees): refunds are typically not offered for agency delays or rejections (due to your ineligibility, incorrect information, etc.); shipping issues; your change of mind post-submission; discovering direct government application is cheaper; or your application errors.

• Government/shipping fees: typically non-refundable by those entities (and thus us) once submitted or dispatched.

• Requesting refunds/addressing issues: contact client support first with your order number and details. We urge direct contact before initiating a chargeback.

• Chargebacks: you agree to this policy and to contact us before a chargeback. Our service fee is for services rendered upon application processing and submission. We reserve the right to dispute improper chargebacks. You may be responsible for associated costs.

• Refund processing time: approved refunds typically within 7–10 business days.

• Policy discretion: USVC may make exceptions in its sole discretion.

9. Intellectual property

The Website and its content (text, graphics, logos, software, etc.) are owned by USVC or its licensors and protected by intellectual property laws. Use of the Website is for your personal, non-commercial use related to the Service. You may not reproduce, distribute, or modify Website material without prior written consent, beyond incidental browser caching.

10. Third-party services and links

The Service may use or link to third-party sites and services (e.g., government agencies, payment processors) not controlled by USVC. We are not responsible for them. Access them at your own risk; this Agreement and our Privacy Policy do not apply. Their terms govern.

11. Disclaimers of warranties and limitations of liability

11.1. Service "as is." THE WEBSITE AND SERVICE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." USVC DOES NOT WARRANT THEY WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, ERROR-FREE, OR MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT) ARE DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED.

11.2. Third-party information. USVC IS NOT LIABLE FOR YOUR USE OF OR RELIANCE ON THIRD-PARTY SERVICES OR INFORMATION ACCESSED VIA THE WEBSITE.

11.3. Limitation of liability. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, USVC AND ITS AFFILIATES ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR DATA) ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE WEBSITE OR SERVICE.

11.4. Liability cap. USVC'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY WILL NOT EXCEED THE USVC SERVICE FEE YOU PAID FOR THE SPECIFIC ORDER CAUSING LIABILITY. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS; SEEK LEGAL ADVICE IF APPLICABLE.

12. Indemnification

YOU AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS USVC AND ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS ("INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") FROM ANY CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, AND COSTS (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES) ARISING FROM YOUR BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, USE OF THE SERVICE, PURCHASE OR USE OF PRODUCTS, OR VIOLATION OF LAW OR THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS. USVC may control its defense at your cost. You will not settle claims without USVC's consent.

13. Termination or suspension of service

USVC may, in its sole discretion, without notice, suspend or terminate your access for any reason, including breach of this Agreement or harmful conduct.

14. Dispute resolution, governing law, and jurisdiction

LEGAL REVIEW REQUIRED: This section contains placeholder language prepared for development purposes only. Final policy language must be reviewed and approved by a qualified attorney before launch.

NOTICE OF ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER: UNLESS YOU OPT OUT AS PROVIDED BELOW, AND EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN DISPUTES (E.G., INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, SMALL CLAIMS COURT), YOU AGREE THAT DISPUTES BETWEEN YOU AND USVC WILL BE RESOLVED BY BINDING, INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION, WAIVING YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OR TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION.

14.1. Initial dispute resolution. Contact client support first to resolve concerns. Parties shall attempt good faith negotiation before initiating formal proceedings.

14.2. Governing law. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles. The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply.

14.3. Jurisdiction. Unless subject to arbitration, legal actions shall be brought exclusively in courts located in San Diego County, California. You consent to this venue.

14.4. Time limitation on claims. Claims must be brought within one (1) year after the cause of action accrues or be permanently barred.

15. Force majeure

USVC is not liable for delays or failures due to causes beyond its reasonable control (e.g., acts of God, war, terrorism, pandemics, strikes, power outages).

16. General provisions

16.1. Entire agreement: this Agreement (with the Privacy Policy and other legal notices) is the entire agreement between you and USVC regarding the Service.

16.2. Severability: if any provision is invalid, the rest remain in effect.

16.3. No waiver: failure to enforce any right is not a waiver.

16.4. Assignment: you may not assign this Agreement. USVC may assign it without notice.

16.5. Interpretation and headings: headings are for convenience. This Agreement is deemed drafted by both parties.

16.6. Survivability: your representations, warranties, and indemnification obligations survive termination.

16.7. Contact information: for questions about this Agreement, contact US Vital Certificates, Attn: Legal Department / Terms of Service, support@usvitalcertificates.org.

Disclaimer

USVC is an independent service that assists individuals with requesting vital records from government agencies. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with or endorsed by any federal or state office. Official records may be available directly from the issuing agency, potentially at a lower cost. Our fees cover online ordering, guided assistance, application review, and related processing support.