Terms of Service
These terms describe the IQQ certificate service. The payment page identifies local test environments. A test simulation makes no charge and creates a test record, without production validity.
A serious document for an unserious qualification.
Nature of the Institute
The Institute of Questionable Qualifications is a project for entertainment and parody. Its documents have no academic or professional standing. Do not present them as genuine educational credentials, proof of identity, or evidence that a statement about someone is true.
Nominations and respectful use
You may nominate yourself or one other person for a humorous distinction. Keep the nomination lighthearted and respectful. Do not submit threats, harassment, discriminatory abuse, private contact details, serious criminal allegations, or content that impersonates a real institution or official. Review names and wording before payment.
Optional client accounts
You may create an account with an email and password. Confirm your email before signing in, keep your credentials private and use the recovery flow if necessary. New orders placed while signed in are associated with your account and use its confirmed email. Earlier guest orders retain their private access links.
Photographs
Upload a portrait only when you have permission to use it. You must confirm this permission in the nomination form. Photos are optional. An affected person may report unauthorised use and request review or removal.
Payment and issuance
The server sets the price at US$5 per certificate, with no subscription. Issuance starts only after the payment provider confirms payment to the server. Returning from checkout does not itself establish payment. Preparation and email processing may take time; your private order page shows the current state.
Files, registry and private links
An issued document has a unique number, digital signature, QR, PNG and PDF. The public registry confirms its IQQ record. Management and download links grant access to the holder and expire after 30 days; keep them private. The text is fixed at issuance, so check the preview carefully.
Recipient invitations
A purchaser may request one email invitation to one recipient. It identifies the nominator and includes reporting and opt-out options. The opt-out link is valid for 365 days and prevents future recipient invitations to that address. Email acceptance by a provider does not guarantee inbox delivery.
Reports and removal
Anyone may submit a concern through the reporting form. Reports require a certificate number, reason, description and reply email for review. The purchaser can remove a certificate through the private management page. Removed documents are hidden and their stored portrait and document files are deleted; downloaded or forwarded copies cannot be recalled.
Public operation
David Fogaça is responsible for operating the website, published with HTTPS at iqqinstitute.org. Use the support contact below for service, purchase or refund questions. Stripe remains in test mode. Before live sales, the payment and email flows must be validated. Test transactions must not be presented as real purchases.
Refund policy
The purchaser may request a full refund within 7 calendar days of the purchase or the certificate becoming available, counted from whichever date is later. No reason is required, and downloading the document does not prevent a request within this period.
To request a refund, email support@iqqinstitute.org, preferably from the email address used for the purchase, with the order reference or certificate number. Do not send a full card number, identity documents or private access links.
We respond by email within one business day. Once we confirm your request and its connection to the purchase, we immediately initiate the full refund through Stripe to the original payment method. The credit depends on your bank and may take approximately 5–10 business days after processing; this is an estimate, not a guarantee of bank timing.
Duplicate charges, delivery failures and other service problems may also be reported after this period. We review them according to the problem and applicable rights. This policy does not limit any broader rights or longer periods provided by applicable local law.
A certificate associated with a refunded purchase is revoked in the IQQ registry. Previously downloaded or forwarded copies cannot be recalled. Removing a certificate or portrait through the website does not automatically request a refund.
Support, purchase and refund questions: support@iqqinstitute.org
We respond to support emails within one business day.