Hi, I was told by a potential mill that they would get the certs verified by the US govt? and get the seal from the embassy based in US? What does this mean? Does the certs become "Legal" after this is done?
I assume you're referring to Apostille & Authentication? Neither means anything in an academic sense, and that is a common trick used by degree mills to justify their business practices. For a complete explanation, see Bears' Guide.
For those of you who love math. Please note the following formula: Government Authentication = your diploma is authentic but the value is worthless Apostille = A valid diploma that is useless in real life. (Authentication + Apostille) ------------------------------------ = (Useless Degree + Job Loss) Diploma Mill
This is related to the idea of acknowledging a document in front of a notary public. The notary only certifies that a certain person showed up and acknowledged a document; the notary does not express an opinion about whether the document is true. The function of a notary may be fulfilled by an embassy official in some situations. After a notary takes an acknowledgement, the document can be sent to the county, state, and federal government to verify that the notary really is a notary and the signature on the document looks something like the notary's signature. Presumably similar mechanisms are available in counties other than the US. The end result is a pile of fancy looking seals that never really address the issue of whether the document is true.
I typed up a document declaring that I had been chosen as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. I paid ten bucks, and got my signature on this document notarized. Then the State of California authenticated the document, as being properly notarized. Then the U.S. State Department issued an Apostille authenticating that the California authentication was authentic. I guess that makes me the Pope. So I've issued edicts approving gay marriage, supporting abortion, ending celibacy for priests, and making fish mandatory on Fridays.
........and Disneyland in Anaheim can be the Vatican. I haven`t been there in ages. Maybe I can drop by the next time your in the mood to beatify someome.
Or he could open Pope John's Vatican and Hair Salon where you could get beatified and beautified in one convenient stop.
