Consider the context within which the documents have been issued and received

Take into account how the documents were issued and transmitted to your organization for processing, as well as the current circumstances of the regional or local education system of the issuing country.

• Assume that the documents are genuine unless there are strong indications that suggest otherwise;
• Consider the method used for delivering and receiving authentic documents in your process. This is explained in the World Education Services' Best Practices: Strategies and Processes to Obtain Authentic International Educational Credentials as the “document authenticity continuum”;
• Consider the context of the country and educational institution. Be mindful of:
• what is typically expected of all applicants in similar situations;
• previously reported situations in which fraudulent practices may have been encountered relatively frequently, such as:
• purchase of documents through bribery;
• alteration of original documents or forgery.
• Check for any noticeable inconsistencies, such as:
• physical alteration and visual elements found on the delivery envelope;
• delivery service stamp or invoice with the date and postal address;
• possible Web spoofing of the issuing educational institution or competent authority through:
• its Web URL;
• its Web-page content; and/or
• e-mail delivered to your inbox.

In some cases, the educational institution may provide on-line verification services for its graduates. This may facilitate the authentication process for academic credentials issued by its admissions department.