How much does a consultation cost?
USD 100 per hour, in person at our Philipsburg office or online. Research, property and document work is quoted after the consultation, so you know the price before we start.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Names, dates and places you know, and any papers you have: old certificates, letters, deeds, photos or family notes. Even partial information helps us decide where to search.
Where are Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin records kept?
Dutch-side records may be held in Sint Maarten, Curaçao or the Netherlands. French-side records may be in Guadeloupe or France. Church and notarial records add more. We know where to look on both sides.
What is a property title search?
We trace the ownership history of a house or piece of land through the available registers and records, and report what we find. It helps with buying, selling, inheritance and family land.
Can you look after my property while I live abroad?
Yes. Our property management service is built for owners who are not on the island. Book a consultation and we'll agree what we take care of and how we report to you.
Can you help with documents for a passport or inheritance?
We locate and request certified extracts, prepare documents and translate them for official use. We do not give legal advice ourselves; if your matter needs a lawyer, you can book a lawyer consultation through us at USD 175 per hour.
I live abroad. Can you still help me?
Yes. Many of our clients live in the Netherlands, France, the US and Canada. We meet online, do the work here and keep you updated by email or WhatsApp.
Which languages do you teach?
Our language courses are run by VRR Global Academy. French is available now, from beginner (A1) to advanced (C2), in person in Philipsburg or online, with a free level test and an AI French tutor. Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamentu are coming soon. Courses, prices and enrolment: vrrglobalacademy.ai
Can you help with taxes, a business, payroll, immigration or nationality?
Yes. Go to Start your search and choose Administrative consultation services. Pick tax filing, establishing or closing a business, payroll, immigration matters or obtaining nationality (Dutch or French), a request for social services (medical, financial or other help), or other. Tell us about your situation, upload a form of identification and give your authorization. The administrative consultation is USD 50 per hour.
How do I book a lawyer?
Go to Start your search and choose Book a lawyer. Choose a lawyer on the island (in person or online) or a lawyer in the Dominican Republic by Zoom, tell us the reason you are seeking a lawyer, upload a form of identification and give your authorization for Vital Record Researchers to find and arrange a lawyer on your behalf. The lawyer consultation is USD 175 per hour.
How do I request property management?
Go to Start your search and choose Request property management. Choose Sint Maarten, Saint Martin or Other, give the property's address, the owner's name, the type of property (apartment, house, building, land or other) and how long you need us. Upload the notarized power of attorney and a copy of identification, and give your authorization. The consultation is USD 100 per hour; the tasks and fees are agreed in writing before we start.
How do I request a property title search?
Go to Start your search and choose Request a property title search. Choose Sint Maarten, Saint Martin or Other, give the property's location or address and the land owner's full name, and if you know them the owner's place of birth, date of death, Land Registration number and Meetbrief number. Add the applicant's name, choose whether you need an apostille stamp, upload a form of identification and give your authorization. The consultation is USD 100 per hour and the search is quoted after it.
How do I request a birth, death or marriage certificate?
Go to Start your search and choose Request a vital record. Tick the certificate(s) you need and give the person's full name and, where they apply, date and place of birth, date and place of death and spouse name. Choose whether you need an apostille stamp (yes or no), upload a form of identification and give your authorization. The consultation is USD 100 per hour.
How much is a heritage DNA test?
African Ancestry USD 400, MyHeritage USD 180, Ancestry plus health USD 290, Ancestry only USD 250 and mtDNA USD 390. Prices include shipping and results. Choose saliva or swab, upload a form of identification and give your authorization in the booking form.
How does family tree research work and how long does it take?
Choose Sint Maarten, Saint Martin or another Caribbean island or country, and give the person's full name, date of birth, place of birth and place of death. Upload a form of identification and give your authorization. For Sint Maarten, research is charged at USD 100 per hour depending on the duration. For Saint Martin and other Caribbean islands or countries, a non-refundable deposit of USD 1,000 is needed to start; it is counted toward the final price (please upload the receipt if you pay online). It takes 30–90 working days to obtain your family tree.
Do you provide a judicial interpreter?
Yes. We provide an interpreter for court hearings, lawyer and notary appointments and other legal meetings, in English, Dutch, Spanish and French, in person in Sint Maarten or online. Go to Translations, choose “Judicial interpreter”, pick the language pair and give the date, time and place. We check availability and send you a quotation.
How do I get a price for a translation?
Go to Translations, choose your language code (for example ES-EN, EN-NL or FR-EN), fill in the short form, upload your document as a PDF, and we send you a quotation.
Can I book an architect or a realtor?
Yes. All bookings are made through Vital Record Researchers. An architect consultation is USD 100 per hour in house, or USD 200 per hour if the architect visits your site. A realtor consultation is USD 100 per hour in house, or USD 175 per hour on site. For a realtor, use code EN-1 for English, or EN-ES-FR-2 for English, Spanish or French.
How can I leave a review?
Go to Reviews, choose your stars, write a few words about your experience and tap Send my review. Monica reads every review before it appears on the website.
Do I pay before my appointment?
Yes. Payment comes first for every booking. Pay, then upload your proof of payment in the booking form or in the Send your proof of payment section. Monica checks your payment and confirms your booking. Once confirmed, the appointment is final and the payment is non-refundable. Online payment is coming soon; for now you can pay at our office or ask us for the payment details on WhatsApp.
When is your office open?
How do membership plans work?
Choose Explorer, Family or Legacy and pay monthly. You can cancel any time; your plan stops at the end of the paid month. Booked appointments are non-refundable. Members get discounts and, on Family and Legacy, record searches or a monthly consultation included. Family and Legacy members also get a private online family tree that we keep up to date: you receive a view-only invite link and a PDF copy every quarter.
