Refund Policy
Last updated: May 25, 2026
NorthClaim stands behind our work. This policy explains what is and isn't refundable, the time windows involved, and how to request a refund. If anything here is unclear, email kevin@northclaim.com before you buy — we'd rather answer questions upfront than refund later.
Plain English summary: The free eligibility check and consultation cost nothing, so there's nothing to refund. Once you've engaged us for paid research, we offer a 14-day refund for unused work. Third-party costs we've already paid on your behalf (government archive fees, certified record orders, courier charges) are non-refundable because that money has already left our hands.
Free Services
The following are always free and never billed, so refunds do not apply:
- Eligibility check form on northclaim.com
- Initial consultation call (the "Citizenship Roadmap Call")
- Honest assessment of whether your case is likely to qualify under Bill C-3
If at the end of the consultation we determine you don't have a viable case, we will tell you. There is no fee for telling you "no."
Paid Services — 14-Day Refund Window
If you've paid for genealogical research or document preparation services, you may request a refund within 14 calendar days of purchase, prorated against work already completed. The amount refunded depends on what stage of the engagement we're in:
- Within 24 hours of purchase, before research begins: 100% refund.
- After research has begun but before any records have been ordered: Refund of the unused portion, typically 60-80% depending on hours logged.
- After records have been ordered on your behalf: Refund of the unused portion of NorthClaim's service fee, minus the actual cost of any third-party records or fees that have already been paid (see "Non-Refundable Costs" below).
- After day 14: Refunds are evaluated case by case. If the delay is due to a NorthClaim error or failure to deliver promised work, we will make it right. If the work has been performed as agreed, refunds are generally not available.
Non-Refundable Costs
Some costs are paid to third parties and cannot be recovered by NorthClaim once paid. These are non-refundable regardless of the timing of your refund request:
- Government archive fees (e.g., BAnQ, Service New Brunswick, Library and Archives Canada, U.S. state vital records offices)
- Certified copy ordering fees through services such as VitalChek
- Apostille and authentication fees
- Courier and international shipping charges for physical records
- Notarization fees for affidavits
- Translation fees for non-English records
- Government filing fees paid to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on your behalf
Where applicable, we will provide receipts for any third-party costs incurred so you can see exactly what was paid and to whom.
What's Never Refundable
- Government decisions. NorthClaim cannot refund the outcome of an IRCC citizenship decision. We prepare documentation; IRCC makes the legal determination. We do not guarantee citizenship approval.
- Time costs of NorthClaim staff already spent on your case at the time of refund request.
- Records that have been certified, apostilled, or otherwise customized to your case and cannot be resold.
How to Request a Refund
Email kevin@northclaim.com with:
- Your full name and the email address used at signup
- The approximate date of purchase
- A short description of why you're requesting a refund
We will respond within 3 business days, walk you through the prorated calculation, and process approved refunds to your original payment method within 7 business days of agreement. Refunds typically appear on your statement 5-10 business days after we process them, depending on your card issuer.
Chargebacks
If you have a billing concern, please email us first. We resolve most issues within a few business days. Initiating a chargeback through your bank or card issuer before contacting us delays resolution and may affect your eligibility for partial refunds of work in progress.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Refund Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Refunds for purchases made before a policy change will be evaluated under the policy in effect at the time of purchase.
Contact
NorthClaim
2093 Philadelphia Pike #2294
Claymont, DE 19703
Phone: (203) 710-0422
Email: kevin@northclaim.com