Why is my submission showing as “Research & ID”?
What does “Research & ID” mean?
If your submission is showing as in the Research & ID process, it means that one or more of the cards in your submission are not yet in our database.
This can happen when we receive a card for grading that we have not previously encountered. Our Research & Identification team will research the card and add it to our ever-growing database using our preferred format.
What types of cards are likely to require research?
Cards that are more likely to require databasing include:
- Serialised, small-numbered cards
- Sports cards
- Cards from new TCG sets
This does not necessarily mean that there is anything unusual or incorrect about your card. It simply means we may need to create a new database entry for it.
What happens once my card has been researched?
Once our Research & Identification team has completed the necessary research and added the card to our database, the submission will move on to our Intake team.
The Intake team will then update your submission dashboard with the relevant card names.
Will Research & ID delay my submission?
We do not foresee there being any delay to your submission because your cards require databasing.
Research & ID is a normal part of our process for cards that are not yet present in our database, and our teams will work to move the submission through the process as usual and in-line with your estimated turnaround time.
Can I check whether my card has been graded before?
Yes. If you would like to check whether your card may already be in our database before submitting, you can search our Population Report.
While this can give you an indication of whether we have graded a particular card previously, it does not guarantee that your card will not require Research & ID. New cards, variations and cards with specific numbering or formatting may still require our team to create or update a database entry.
Why do you need to research the cards?
Maintaining an accurate and consistent database is an important part of the grading process. Our Research & Identification team ensures that cards are correctly identified and entered into our database in our preferred format.
As our database continues to grow, the number of cards that require research should naturally reduce — but new releases, sports cards and previously unseen cards will always occasionally require identification.
In short: seeing “Research & ID” is nothing to worry about. It simply means our team is researching a card so that it can be correctly added to our database before your submission continues through the process.