Online fax FAQ – your questions answered
Curious how online faxing works, whether it is secure, or how it compares to a traditional fax machine? Find the answers here.
How does an online fax service work?
An online fax service provides a bridge between the internet and the telephone network. You upload your document through a secure web interface. The service converts it into the fax transmission format (ITU T.30) and dials the recipient's fax number using a carrier-grade telephone connection. The recipient receives the fax on their standard fax machine or fax-enabled email inbox, with no indication that it originated from an internet service.
Privacy and data handling
GoFaxNow is built around privacy. Files are encrypted in transit and stored only long enough for transmission to complete. Unpaid uploads are automatically deleted within 30 minutes. Paid and sent faxes are deleted within 2 hours. No documents are archived, reused, or shared. The service is fully GDPR-compliant.
Is an online fax legally valid?
In most jurisdictions, a fax received via an online fax service carries the same legal weight as one sent from a physical machine because the end-to-end transmission uses the same telephone network. Always verify requirements with the receiving organisation if you have doubts about specific legal submissions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register to use an online fax service?
With GoFaxNow, no registration is required. Each fax is a one-time transaction. You upload your document, pay $0.99, and send — no account, no profile, no stored history.
Can the recipient tell I used an online fax service?
No. From the recipient's perspective, the fax arrives like any other fax on their machine. The transmission path is transparent.
What happens if my fax fails to deliver?
You will see a failed status on the delivery status page. GoFaxNow retries the transmission automatically. If delivery ultimately fails, check that the fax number is correct and that the recipient's line is active.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. Payments are processed exclusively by Stripe. GoFaxNow never sees or stores your card details — all payment data is handled by Stripe's PCI-compliant infrastructure.
Can I receive faxes with GoFaxNow?
GoFaxNow currently supports outbound fax sending. Inbound fax receiving is not available at this time.
How does online fax handle document quality?
GoFaxNow converts uploaded files to fax-standard resolution (200 dpi) automatically. PDF uploads generally produce the best output. Scanned images should be clear and high-contrast for best readability at the receiving end.