Certificate evidence guide

Certificates of Authenticity

Learn what a digital Certificate of Authenticity should document, how to verify it, and how it differs from a receipt, warranty, appraisal, or brand document.

By VereevReviewed by the Vereev authentication teamUpdated August 30, 2026

Independent educational guidance. An item-level result requires review of the exact product evidence.

Direct answer

A Certificate of Authenticity should document an item-level review with an issuer, identifier, item description, issue date, conclusion, and verification method. It is not automatically a brand-issued warranty, receipt, appraisal, ownership record, or guarantee of resale value.

The design of a certificate matters less than the process and verifiable record behind it. Screenshots and seller-created templates can be copied.

Connect the certificate to a specific review

Look for the issuer, unique result ID, item description, issue date, conclusion, and official verification URL or QR code.

Where privacy allows, the record should contain enough visual or descriptive detail to distinguish the reviewed item.

Verify on the issuer's official domain

Do not trust only a PDF or screenshot. Confirm that the record resolves and matches the physical item's unique details.

A copied valid certificate can still be paired with a different product.

Separate authentication from other documents

An appraisal addresses value, a receipt records a transaction, and a warranty defines service obligations. Authentication addresses identity or genuineness under the issuer's stated scope.

Independent certificates should not imply endorsement or issuance by the referenced brand.

Common questions