How to Check an Autograph Certificate of Authenticity
Prepared by Lingga Kusuma Sakti for Autograph Identifier AI. This guide is for research and is not professional authentication or an appraisal.
A certificate is a piece of evidence about an item. Its value depends on who issued it, what it claims, and whether the record matches the object in front of you.
Identify the issuer
Write down the company name, certificate number, and the exact claim. A seller's own certificate and an independent authenticator's examination are different types of evidence. Check what service was actually provided and whether the issuer still offers a lookup.
Use the issuer’s official lookup
- Navigate to the issuer’s official website independently rather than relying only on a link supplied by a seller.
- Enter the certificate or hologram number exactly as shown.
- Compare the signer, object type, description, and any images with the item you are considering.
- Save the result and record the date you checked it.
For MLB-authenticated memorabilia, the official hologram lookup accepts a hologram number. A match is a starting point: make sure the record describes the actual object.
Look for discrepancies
A missing record, altered label, mismatched item type, or incomplete photograph deserves follow-up with the issuer. A number alone does not establish that the certificate belongs to the object offered. Ask the seller for clear, unedited images and a reasonable opportunity for review.
What if there is no certificate?
Lack of a certificate is not proof that a signature is fake. Document the history and consult an appropriate authenticator if the potential value warrants it. See our authenticity guide for other questions to investigate.