Frequently Asked Questions

Global Gold is a premium international document authentication firm based in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. We manage the full apostille and authentication process for individuals relocating abroad, pursuing Golden Visa and residency-by-investment programs, or navigating cross-border legal matters. Every engagement is personally managed by Melissa Hansen from first consultation to final delivery.

Most apostille services process a document and hand it back. Global Gold manages the entire journey: document review, notarization, routing, apostille procurement, embassy coordination where required, translation support, courier logistics, and real-time status tracking through your personal Living Relocation Dashboard. You have a dedicated project manager in your corner, not a form to fill out and wait on.

No. Global Gold serves clients across the United States. International document authentication requires coordination with state authorities, the U.S. Department of State, and foreign embassies, not proximity to the client. Wherever you are located, we can manage your engagement.

Every engagement begins with a conversation. You can inquire about a Global Gold Readiness Assessment ($500, credited toward any package within 30 days) or reach out directly for a brief intake call. From there, Melissa will review your country, documents, and timeline, and recommend the right package for your situation.

Once you've selected your package, Melissa will send you a personalized intake form to capture every document detail. From there she will prepare your formal service agreement. Work begins when the agreement is signed, your 50% deposit is received, and your original documents are in hand.

Yes. Signature Concierge, Platinum, and Platinum Plus clients receive access to the Living Relocation Dashboard, a real-time tracking system that shows exactly where every document is at every stage. Essential Concierge clients receive weekly status updates directly from Melissa.

YNot necessarily. Melissa notarizes personally whenever proximity allows. For clients located at a distance, a commissioned Notary Public can be dispatched to your location in many cases, or you may arrange notary services independently. Melissa will advise the best path for your situation during your initial consultation.

An apostille is an internationally recognized certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document so that it is legally accepted in another country. The Hague Apostille Convention established a standardized process, and the United States is a member. An apostilled document is recognized in all 124 Hague member countries without further legalization.

If your destination country has not joined the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents require full consular legalization, a multi-step authentication chain running through the Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State, and ultimately the foreign country's embassy here in the United States. Global Gold's Platinum and Platinum Plus packages are built for exactly this complexity.

State-level apostilles typically run five to ten business days. FBI federal background check apostilles routed through the U.S. Department of State run eight to fourteen weeks on standard processing, or three to five weeks through an FBI-approved channeler on expedited processing. Melissa will map your complete timeline during your intake consultation.

Each package includes Melissa's direct management, all notarization services within your tier's limits, apostille processing coordination, status communication, and secure document vault storage. Translation services and international courier fees are quoted and passed through separately at cost. There are no hidden fees.

A 50% deposit is required to begin work. The remaining balance is due prior to final document delivery. All deposits are nonrefundable.

The Readiness Assessment is a private consultation with Melissa, $500, designed to give you a complete roadmap before any work begins. If you move forward with a package within 30 days, the $500 is credited in full toward your package investment.

You will work directly with Melissa. Global Gold is a personal service, not a volume operation. Every client has direct access to Melissa throughout their engagement.

Attorneys are essential partners in the immigration and relocation process, and Melissa works alongside them regularly. What most attorneys do not manage is the physical authentication logistics: document routing, apostille submission, embassy coordination, translation, and courier. That is precisely what Global Gold handles. The two roles complement each other, and Melissa is happy to coordinate directly with your legal team.

Global Gold has served clients pursuing residency and documentation needs in Ecuador, South Africa, Albania, Lebanon, and beyond.