Credit Card Payment FAQ

 

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Official Payments enables consumers to pay for their Nebraska Educator Certificate by credit or debit card via the Internet.  The payment process is simple and secure.  VISA® and MasterCard® cards are accepted. 

Paying fees by credit or debit card allows consumers to take advantage of card rewards, payment flexibility, convenience, and safety.  A nominal fee is charged by Official Payments based on the transaction amount.  The consumer is notified of this fee before their payment is made.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON PAYING YOUR FEE BY CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD

Q. Why is there a convenience fee and why am I paying for this?

A. Official Payments charges a convenience fee for processing the payment transaction. The fee is not charged by or paid to the government agency. The convenience fee is assessed to cover operating costs and the costs associated with servicing thousands of card transactions.  You will be informed of all charges and fees before you authorize the payment.


When a consumer uses the service, two line items will appear on their card bill. One is for the tax, fee, or
fine owed to the government and the other is for the convenience fee charged by Official Payments.

Q. How much is the convenience fee?

A. The convenience fee that will be charged depends on the type of Certificate that is being applied for.  The following is a summary of the convenience fees that will be charged:

 

                 Certificate Type

   Convenience Fee

All School Certificate

            $1.50

All School Certificate + Fingerprints

            $2.25

Non-Public Schools Certificate  

            $1.50

Non-Public Schools Certificate + Fingerprints

            $2.25

Added Endorsement

            $1.50

Duplicate Certificate

            $1.00

All School Certificate + Added Endorsement

            $1.50

Non-Public Schools Certificate + Added Endorsement

            $1.50



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. Who is Official Payments?

A. Official Payments is the leading provider of electronic payment options for federal, state and local government agencies. Official Payments makes it possible for citizens to pay their fees using their credit or debit cards via the Internet.

Q. What’s the advantage of using Official Payments?

A. The service makes paying fees more convenient in many ways:
1. Faster payment via phone or Internet—no writing and mailing checks
2. Flexibility to pay credit card balances over time
3. Rewards for your payments from card issuers that carry such programs
4. Comfort of knowing your payment has been made through a trusted, secure service provider, Official Payments, authorized by the IRS to collect government obligations since 1999

Q. What cards does Official Payments accept?

A.  Visa and MasterCard cards are accepted, including credit and ATM pin-less debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo.

Q. Why should I elect to use this system?

A. In paying government taxes and fees with a credit card, consumers gain control of the payment. Consumers can pay their fee over time, on their own schedule. Paying by credit card may provide consumers with use of their money for an additional 30 to 60 days, depending upon the credit card billing cycle.

Q. How do I earn reward points?

A. Depending on the nature of the card reward program, consumers can earn points, miles or money back for the payments they make. The value of the reward can exceed the cost of any convenience fee incurred. For specific information on your card’s reward program, contact your card issuer directly using the number listed on the back of your card.

Q. How safe is Official Payments’ system?

A. The system has been tested and proven. The IRS and more than 2,200 state and local governments have chosen Official Payments as an electronic service provider for their constituents. The information gathered is private and will not be forwarded to anyone.

Q. Will I receive a confirmation of my card payment?

A. Yes. You will be provided a confirmation number at the end of the payment transaction. This confirmation number and your card statement will provide confirmation of your card payment to the government agency. If you pay over the Internet at www.officialpayments.com, you will be issued an onscreen digital receipt, which can be printed as a transaction record. Additionally, if you provide us your email address, you will receive an email verification of your online payment.

Q. How can I be sure that my payment was processed correctly?

A. You can verify your Internet payment online at www.officialpayments.com/pc_paym.jsp if you have provided your e-mail address to us. You will need your confirmation number and the last 4 digits of your card. You may also call 1-888-357-8394. You will need your payment amount to process your telephone inquiry.

Q. Who do I call if my payment doesn’t appear on my card statement?

A. Call Official Payments Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-487-4567. Press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish and choose option 4.