The Trap of Online Management Services Charging for Free Procedures

Published on January 06, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Screenshot of a web ad from an online management agency offering to manage the DNI, passport, and digital certificate for a fee.

The Trap of Online Management Agencies Charging for Free Procedures

Browsing the internet can lead you to find ads offering to simplify common administrative procedures. They promise to book appointments for the DNI or passport, obtain your digital certificate, or request the employment history report with just a few clicks. However, behind this apparent convenience hides a questionable practice. 🕵️‍♂️

The Hidden Cost of "Ease"

The main strategy of these companies is to charge a fee for a service that, in reality, has no cost for the citizen. Official government portals allow these procedures to be done directly and without paying. By using an online management agency, you end up paying for something you could do yourself without spending money.

Procedures they usually market:
  • Request or renew the National Identity Document (DNI).
  • Request or renew the passport.
  • Obtain the digital certificate for natural persons.
  • Download the employment history report from Social Security.
Paying for an official free procedure is, essentially, an avoidable expense arising from misinformation.

The Direct and Secure Alternative

Anyone can carry out these procedures in a few minutes. The official electronic headquarters are designed precisely so that citizens can interact with the administration without intermediaries.

Key official portals for management:
  • Website of the Ministry of the Interior for DNI and passport.
  • Page of the National Mint and Stamp Factory (FNMT) for the digital certificate.
  • Electronic headquarters of Social Security for employment history.

Main Requirement: A Little Patience

The only real "obstacle" is dedicating a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the official website. This time will most likely be less than what you would invest in searching for a management agency, filling out their forms, and waiting for them to act on your behalf. Avoiding intermediaries not only saves money but also ensures that your data is handled through the official and secure channel. 💻🔒