How Authentication Works

VADCHECK issues professional opinions of authenticity on Hermès handbags and wallets. Here’s exactly how the process works, from your first message to the certificate in your inbox.

Step 1 — Get in Touch

Reach out through our contact page to request an authentication. We’ll respond with everything you need: applicable fees, a secure payment link, and the specific list of photos required for your particular item.

Step 2 — What Authentication Involves

We work entirely from the photographs you send us. Each detail is examined closely and cross-checked against our reference collection, which includes documented examples of both genuine and counterfeit Hermès pieces gathered over years of hands-on study. This comparison is what allows us to form a confident, evidence-based opinion.

Step 3 — Payment

Fees are due upfront, before the photo review begins, and are payable in US dollars.

Step 4 — Submitting Your Photos

Good photos make all the difference. We ask for:

High-resolution images
Shot in natural daylight
Sharp focus, no blur

We can send you a reference guide with photo examples for your specific bag model — just ask in advance. If the item is listed online, include that link too, as it can help our review.

Please note: fees are non-refundable if usable photos aren’t provided during the process, so it’s worth taking a little extra time to get the shots right.

Step 5 — Your Certificate

Once our review is complete, you’ll receive a formal opinion issued on VADCHECK letterhead, delivered as a PDF by email. Each certificate carries a unique QR code linked back to our website for verification, and states plainly whether the item is judged Authentic or Not Authentic in our opinion.

Authentic items: the certificate identifies the model and estimated date of manufacture, alongside a photo of the item and its identification stamp.
Items found not authentic: the certificate explains that the details examined are inconsistent with genuine Hermès construction, alongside a photo of the item and its identification stamp.

Step 6 — How Long It Takes

Standard turnaround is 1-2 business days or less from the moment we’ve received clear photos and payment. We’re closed weekends.
Need it faster? Same-day service is available on request, at double the standard fee.
Requests are handled in the order photos and payment arrive.

A Note on Our Opinions

VADCHECK is an independent authentication service. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or certified by Hermès or any other brand referenced on this site. Every opinion reflects the professional judgment of our authenticator, formed through hands-on experience with over 7,000 Hermès handbags and more than 7 years of specialized, continuous study of Hermès materials, construction, and production details. We make every effort to ensure our opinions are accurate, and each opinion represents our good-faith professional assessment at the time of examination.