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Frequently Asked Questions
How HalalVouch verifies restaurants, what our labels mean, and how you can help keep the information accurate.
- How do you verify restaurants?
- We combine multiple evidence sources — recognized halal certificates, direct phone calls and in-person visits, owner verification forms, and trusted community input. Each source has a weight, and together they produce a halal tier shown on every listing. See our verification methodology.
- What does 'Certified' mean on your platform?
- Certified means a certificate from a recognized certifying body is on file, has been verified, and is not expired. It is the strongest tier — but it is not a guarantee, because practices can change between verifications.
- Can I trust community-reported listings?
- Community-reported listings reflect what community members have told us, without independent staff, owner, or certificate verification. They are clearly labeled as not independently verified and carry a lower tier. Treat them as a starting point and verify directly.
- How do I report incorrect information?
- Use the “Report Issue” button on any restaurant page to tell us about wrong hours, a closure, an expired certificate, or a halal-status concern. Reports create evidence for our review — they never change a listing automatically.
- How do I add a restaurant that is not listed?
- Use the Submit Restaurant page. Submissions go to review and are never published automatically.
- How often is data updated?
- Verification freshness is shown on every listing. Certified and owner-verified listings are reviewed roughly every 90 days, and others less frequently. Listings older than six months display a staleness warning.
- Does HalalVouch guarantee halal status?
- No. We are not an Islamic authority and we do not issue rulings. We present verification evidence and a last-verified date so you can make your own informed decision, and we always recommend verifying directly before visiting.
- What if a restaurant's certificate has expired?
- An expired certificate is flagged: it is shown with a clear warning. We attempt to re-verify, and the listing may move to a lower tier until current evidence is confirmed.
- How can a restaurant owner update their listing?
- Owners can submit verification details — including certification status and a certificate upload — through the owner verification form. Submissions are reviewed before any change takes effect.