VitalCheck AKA VitalChek Network, a LexisNexis Company We cancelled the contract and requested a refund 60 days after they did not produce any results. They only gave me back 18% of what I paid them. Brentwood, TN 37024-1703 Internet

Many states, their vital records offices are not as fast as we would like.  Counties are usually a little faster.  In your case, TN is a very fast state, and you can even pay an extra $5 for rush service.  So from aprx 3 weeks to a few business days, they will send the marriage certificate you needed.

You did not research enough, and could have contacted directly the state to see if you really "needed" VitalChek's services.  A great website to start any research for vital records is:  http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm

Now, VitalChek's service "based on your comments" was extremely poor, though I find it odd that it so long knowing the state's process times.  Unless you were slow on providing necessary documents, based on TN laws, it seems strange.  Especially "so much longer" than normal state processing times.

I usually don't recommend VitalChek, for numerous reasons.  But in this case, and with many complaints I see, all of it would have been avoided with just a little more effort on research.  The CDC's website is easily found, or even putting "Tennessee marriage certificate" brings up the state's site, to be better informed.

And regarding the refund.  If not every single state/territory, the majority of them, do not provide refunds.  Not a single cent.  As the fee is a "search fee", regardless if the vital record is found or not.  VitalChek as a private company isn't obligated, unless they did not provide what they promised, for example.  You got a partial refund, which most likely is "their service fee", but the state's fee will never be refunded.  So I believe you did not get ripped off, as least moneywise.  Do the math, but I'd say it adds up.

Again... research more, it usually is less expensive that way.  ;)