Certification and Verification Policy
Last Updated: 01.01.2026
The International Autograph Authentication Board (“IAAB”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) issues Certificates of Authenticity, authentication reports, and expert examination documentation based on professional handwriting and forensic document analysis.
This Certification and Verification Policy outlines IAAB’s standards, certification procedures, traceability safeguards, and verification framework designed to maintain the integrity, reliability, and long-term credibility of IAAB authentication services.
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1. PURPOSE OF IAAB CERTIFICATION
IAAB certification is designed to provide documented expert authentication based on recognized professional methodologies and analytical examination st andards.
IAAB certificates and reports serve as professional documentation of expert conclusions regarding authenticity, authorship, or document integrity at the time of examination.
Certification is intended to:
• Provide professional authentication reference
• Support collection documentation and provenance
• Assist commercial, insurance, or institutional evaluation processes
• Provide expert analysis documentation for potential legal or administrative use
IAAB certification does not guarantee commercial value, resale success, or third-party acceptance.
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2. TYPES OF CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTS
IAAB may issue several types of certification and examination documentation depending on the service requested, including:
A. Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
Issued following autograph or signature authentication. The COA summarizes the expert conclusion and includes security and traceability features.
B. Authentication Report
A detailed analytical report describing examination methodology, comparative analysis, and supporting observations.
C. Forensic Examination Report
An extended expert report prepared using forensic-level methodology and structured for potential legal or institutional presentation.
D. Preliminary Expert Opinion Documentation
A written or recorded professional opinion based on limited digital review. This documentation may not include full certification or detailed reporting.
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3. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
IAAB certificates and reports are issued only after:
• Completion of professional examination by qualified experts
• Review of submitted materials and reference samples
• Application of recognized analytical methodologies
• Documentation of examination findings
IAAB reserves the right to decline certification if examination results are inconclusive or if materials are insufficient for reliable analysis.
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4. SECURITY AND TRACEABILITY FEATURES
IAAB certification documents incorporate security and traceability safeguards designed to protect against forgery, alteration, or misuse.
Certification documents may include:
• Unique serial identification numbers
• Official IAAB security hologram(s)
• Handwritten signature of the responsible expert
• Optional verification stamp or mark
• Internal digital record registration
Certification appearance may vary slightly depending on issuing jurisdiction or issuance year; however, traceability and verification standards remain consistent.
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5. CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION AND DATABASE ARCHIVING
IAAB maintains an internal certification database and archival system for traceability and long-term authentication verification.
The IAAB certification archive may include:
• Certificate serial numbers
• Examination records
• Submitted supporting materials
• Expert documentation records
• Issuance dates and service details
IAAB retains certification records to support:
• Future verification requests
• Authentication validation
• Institutional or legal review processes
• Anti-fraud protection measures
IAAB reserves the right to retain certification records for professional, legal, or compliance purposes.
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6. CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION SERVICES
IAAB offers certificate verification services to confirm the authenticity and validity of issued certificates.
Verification may be requested by submitting:
• Certificate serial number
• Supporting certificate documentation
• Relevant identifying information
Verification services confirm whether the certificate corresponds to IAAB archival records but do not provide reassessment or re-examination unless separately requested.
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7. VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF CERTIFICATION
IAAB certification reflects the expert conclusion based on materials and methodologies available at the time of examination.
Certification validity is subject to:
• Accuracy and completeness of submitted materials
• Condition of examined items at the time of analysis
• Available comparative reference materials
• Professional interpretation standards
Certification does not guarantee:
• Future market acceptance
• Institutional or judicial admissibility
• Insurance coverage or valuation
• Endorsement by collectors, dealers, or auction houses
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8. EVOLUTION OF AUTHENTICATION TECHNOLOGY
IAAB acknowledges that authentication techniques and forensic methodologies evolve over time.
IAAB certification represents professional opinion at the time of issuance. Future technological or scientific developments may lead to reevaluation or reinterpretation of authentication conclusions.
IAAB and its experts shall not be held liable for reinterpretations resulting from advancements in analytical technology or methodology.
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9. REISSUANCE AND REPLACEMENT OF CERTIFICATES
Replacement certification documents may be issued under the following circumstances:
• Loss of original certificate
• Damage or deterioration of certification documentation
• Administrative correction requests
Replacement certificates may include updated formatting, holographic elements, or verification markings.
IAAB may charge administrative and shipping fees for replacement certification services.
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10. DIGITAL CERTIFICATION AND ELECTRONIC DELIVERY
IAAB may issue certification documentation in digital format.
Digital certification documents are considered valid IAAB authentication records and may include digital verification safeguards.
Clients are responsible for maintaining secure storage of digital certification documentation.
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11. PROHIBITED USE AND MISREPRESENTATION
IAAB certification documents may not be:
• Altered, modified, or reproduced without authorization
• Used in misleading or deceptive commercial representations
• Presented in partial or altered form
• Used to imply IAAB endorsement beyond documented conclusions
Unauthorized use may result in certificate invalidation, verification refusal, or legal action.
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12. THIRD-PARTY RELIANCE ON CERTIFICATION
Third parties, including auction houses, dealers, insurers, collectors, or institutions, may rely on IAAB certification at their own discretion.
IAAB does not guarantee that third parties will accept certification or assign specific evidentiary or commercial value.
IAAB certification represents professional expert opinion and documentation only.
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13. CERTIFICATION ASSOCIATED WITH PHYSICAL ITEMS
Certification is issued based on examination of specific materials submitted at the time of service.
IAAB certification applies only to examined materials and does not automatically extend to similar items, copies, or reproductions.
Clients are responsible for maintaining association between certified documentation and certified items.
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14. LONG-TERM ARCHIVAL AUTHENTICATION SUPPORT
IAAB maintains certification archives to support long-term authentication verification and professional recordkeeping.
IAAB reserves the right to:
• Maintain authentication records for extended archival purposes
• Provide verification services for previously issued certifications
• Support institutional, insurance, or legal verification requests
Deletion of client personal data may limit IAAB’s ability to provide long-term verification services.
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15. FRAUD PREVENTION AND CERTIFICATION REVOCATION
IAAB reserves the right to revoke, suspend, or invalidate certification if:
• Certification is obtained through fraudulent submission
• Submitted materials are later proven to be manipulated or misrepresented
• Certification is used for unlawful or deceptive purposes
IAAB may update internal records to reflect revocation status.
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16. POLICY MODIFICATIONS
IAAB reserves the right to update or revise this Certification and Verification Policy at any time.
Updated versions become effective upon publication on the IAAB website.
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17. CONTACT INFORMATION
International Autograph Authentication Board (IAAB)
Email: authentication@iaaboard.com