Buy Documents Online: A Cautionary Guide
- First published:
- 3 min read
What You Get When Buying Documents Online
Legal Prop Money for Film Use
Black-and-white or properly sized currency illustrations are allowed for film production under strict U.S. Treasury guidelines [3][2].
Novelty Documents for Non-Fraudulent Use
Templates for film props or novelty items can be sourced from legal platforms like LegalZoom or Shake [4].
Clear Usage Restrictions
Federal law prohibits fraudulent use of counterfeit or altered documents, with penalties including fines or imprisonment [1][2].
Official Document Verification
Only government agencies like the NVDC can issue legitimate certificates, not third-party sellers [5].
Cost Comparison Tools
Official documents often cost significantly less than third-party offerings, which may charge 500% or more [6][7][8][9].
How to Get Documents Online for Film or Novelty Use
- Check if you need official or prop documents
- Verify the seller’s legitimacy
- Confirm legal use and design
- Use free or low-cost legal templates
For film production, platforms like LegalZoom or Shake offer attorney-drafted release forms and other legal documents (4).
- Review policies and delivery time
Check return, refund, and privacy policies. Delivery times vary by seller, but official documents may take weeks (11).
- Inspect the final product
Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees
Purchasing documents online can come with significant risks. U.S. federal law strictly prohibits the possession or transfer of false identification documents for fraudulent purposes, with penalties reaching up to 15 years in prison (1). Counterfeiting U.S. obligations can lead to even harsher penalties of up to 20 years (2).
Limitations are also present. Only specific types of prop money and documents are allowed for film production. Currency images must adhere to strict size and usage guidelines, such as being in black and white and sized between 75% and 150% of the original (3) (2). Third-party sellers often charge excessive fees for services that can be obtained directly from government agencies at a fraction of the cost (6) (7) (8).
Before making a purchase, verify the seller's legitimacy. Check for complaints or reviews and confirm their return, refund, and privacy policies (11). For official documents, only authorized agencies like the National Vessel Documentation Center can issue valid certifications (5).
If a purchase is made in error, the process for returns or cancellations will depend on the seller's policies. Always inspect the final product to ensure it meets legal requirements. Avoid any use that could be deemed fraudulent.
Good to know
What is the best legal document site?
For film production, LegalZoom and Shake offer attorney-drafted templates like release forms for talent or locations. Government-issued documents must come from official agencies, not third-party sellers (4) (5).
Sources and further reading
- 18 USC 1028: Fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents
- Currency Image Use | U.S. Department of the Treasury
- 18 U.S. Code § 504 – Printing and filming of United States and foreign obligations and securities
- Field Guide to Film Rights | Colorado State University
- Boater beware: Vessel documentation fraud lurks online | U.S. Coast Guard
- SCAM ALERT: SC Businesses Targeted with Solicitation for Certificates of Status and Other Documents
- Office of the Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert Warning Texans of Companies that May Appear to Be Government Agencies
- Secretary of State Hammond Warns Businesses of Document Request Scams
- Idaho’s Small Businesses Should Ignore Business Compliance Solicitations
- Attorney General James Shuts Down Websites Impersonating NYS Department of State
- Online Shopping & Internet Safety | Iowa Attorney General
- Chapter 1 - Circular 92 | U.S. Copyright Office