Interpreting services for meetings and official appointments — why files get rejected, and how to fix it

Causes and fixes

1. 1. Book by appointment type; court and government sessions have their own protocols.

   Fix: Keep this as a checklist item on the front of the file and have a second reviewer sign it off before delivery.

2. 2. Provide reference material in advance so terminology is consistent on the day.

   Fix: Confirm this requirement with the receiving authority before work starts and record the answer in the case file.

3. 3. Spell every name exactly as it appears in the passport, across every document in the same bundle.

   Fix: Keep this as a checklist item on the front of the file and have a second reviewer sign it off before delivery.

4. 4. Never remove staples or separate pages that an authority has bound and stamped across the seam.

   Fix: Confirm this requirement with the receiving authority before work starts and record the answer in the case file.

5. 5. The intended use is never stated up front

   Fix: State the receiving authority and the purpose before work begins so the correct level of certification is chosen the first time.

6. 6. Signing in advance and only then looking for a certifier

   Fix: Sign in front of the certifying officer as the procedure requires, never beforehand.

7. 7. Incomplete scans sent for the initial review

   Fix: Send every page for review first, then produce the final certified set.

8. 8. Using a superseded form

   Fix: Check the authority's current form before filling it in and note the date you checked in the file.

Rejection causes for other services