Guide
Testudo hermanni: preparing for a document check
A checklist to help you make a clear enquiry to the CITES office, without publishing personal data or replacing an official check.
Illustrative image · not an official document.
A useful check needs the correct document, the animal it refers to and the action you intend to take. The editorial team does not authenticate certificates or authorise transfers.
First: describe the event
Do not simply ask “Is this certificate valid?” Explain to the relevant office whether you are considering an acquisition, a transfer of ownership, a birth, a relocation or another event. A document’s conditions may restrict its use.
Prepare your private records
- Gather relevant origin documents and official correspondence.
- Check that identification details are legible and consistent, without altering them.
- Establish the relevant dates and what is missing.
- Ask which channel to use for sending the necessary attachments.
A clear enquiry, without making data public
“I am checking the procedure for this event involving a Testudo hermanni. Before proceeding, I would like to know which documents and steps are required and how to submit the documentation to the relevant office.”
This is a suggested enquiry, not an official form. Do not enter marking numbers, addresses or certificates in public comments, on social media or in search engines.
Keep the reply too
Record which office you contacted and keep its instructions with the case records. A reply concerning another animal or a different transaction is not a universal rule. If the circumstances change, request a fresh check before acting.
