Please note that while the APS Quick I.D. Service will be functioning to accept requests, we will not be sending e-mail responses until after Tuesday, May 13. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Welcome to Quick I.D., the newest Member Service offered by the American Philatelic Society. Perhaps you’re considering buying a stamp off the Internet, but aren’t sure it is properly identified. Or maybe you have a question about a stamp you already own. Here is your opportunity to identify that stamp at a substantially lower cost than through the formal certification process offered by the American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX).

For those who have scanning capabilities, the process is particularly quick and easy. All you have to do is provide a scan of each item you wish identified and send it to Quick I.D. as a .gif or .jpeg (this is case sensitive -- use all lower case), using the online application form provided. If you don’t have a scanner, click here.

Image quality should be at least 200 dpi. For items from the Internet, simply copy the page and save it in a folder; from there you can treat it like a scanned image.

Send as many scans as you need, but please, send only one item per scan. Blocks, covers, or sheets will be counted as a single item. Sets of stamps may be submitted in a single scan, but the opinion will usually apply to one stamp in that set.

Within three working days you will receive an e-mail with a link for you to visit to see the Quick I.D. report on your image.

IMPORTANT: When scanning a philatelic item for identification, remember to take it out of its protective glassine cover. Otherwise the image will be distorted.

We will not, of course, expertize any item without actually examining it, but it is surprising how much you can tell about a stamp or cover from a good scan. If questions about the authenticity of an item arise from viewing the scan, we will recommend that you submit the piece to APEX for a definitive opinion on its genuineness or condition.

Special Introductory Fees:

• $2 base fee for the submission,
• plus $4 per scanned item (APS member price),
• or $8 per scanned item (non-APS member price)

STEP 1: Upload Images
To upload each image, click Browse below, then find the appropriate folder. Open it and highlight the image you wish to submit. Double-click and the image file name will appear in the box beside the Browse button, then just click on Attach and the file name will appear in the Upload List field to the right of the Browse button. To include additional scans, simply repeat the process.

STEP 2: Send Images
Next, click on Continue to get to the online application form. Fill in the required information and click on Send. Your e-mail reply will reach you in three working days.