When I first started using the site for the needed certificate, I noted it was run by LexisNexis, which is one of the databases we use for collecting information on contacts at my job and tracking people. This data can easily be obtained by anyone. But, I overlooked my concerns because VitalChek initially doesn't ask anything too personal. It starts off simple. It's once they obtain and supposedly processed my payment and all should have been completed that the site demanded my social security number, more personal information, and copies of my identification to be uploaded. There's no turning back at this point. Then the wait time turned from being the quickest method of 10 days to deferring to the health departments' timing of 20 days or longer. So, it does feel like a scam, because they are basically collecting your imperative information and you still require the direct services of the state department. Honestly, you give your important data to strangers and actually pay to do it. They will in turn also get paid by the companies that buy data and use their database services. It's best to just wait for the state department and skip this third-party "service".