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Verify vs. Certify — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 10, 2024
Verify involves checking the accuracy or truth of something, while certify means formally confirming or recognizing its status or quality.
Verify vs. Certify — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Verify and Certify

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Key Differences

Verification is the process of determining whether something is true, accurate, or in compliance with a specific standard. It often involves an examination or investigation. Whereas, certification is the formal validation of an individual's qualifications or a product's compliance with certain standards, typically provided by an authoritative body.
Verification can be conducted internally or externally, depending on the context. It is a necessary step in quality assurance and regulatory compliance. On the other hand, certification is usually performed by an external, accredited organization and often results in the issuance of a certificate or seal of approval.
The objective of verification is to ensure that a product, service, or system meets the set requirements or claims. This could involve testing, inspection, or review. Whereas, certification aims to provide assurance to consumers, stakeholders, or regulatory bodies that a certain level of quality or standard has been achieved and maintained.
Verification is often a prerequisite for certification. A product or service must first be verified to meet certain criteria before it can be certified. On the other hand, once certification is achieved, it usually needs to be maintained through periodic re-verification or audits.
Verification processes are generally specific to the context in which they are applied, focusing on particular aspects such as functionality, safety, or compliance. Certification processes, however, tend to follow a standardized set of criteria defined by regulatory authorities or standardization bodies.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Checking accuracy, truth, or compliance
Formal recognition of compliance or quality

Performed by

Can be internal or external
Usually external, accredited bodies

Purpose

Ensure requirements are met
Assure quality or compliance is recognized

Result

Confirmation of compliance or accuracy
Certificate or formal document

Maintenance

Ongoing checks for continuous compliance
Periodic audits or reviews for validity

Compare with Definitions

Verify

To establish the truth by evidence or testimony.
The investigator verified the witness's account.

Certify

To formally recognize someone's qualifications or the quality of something.
The board certified the doctor after her exams.

Verify

To confirm the truth or accuracy of something.
The scientist verified the results with multiple tests.

Certify

To attest formally or officially.
The notary certified the authenticity of the document.

Verify

To confirm compliance with requirements or standards.
The auditor verified the company's adherence to regulations.

Certify

To declare legally or officially.
The instructor certified the student's completion of the course.

Verify

To check or test for accuracy or quality.
The software engineer verified the code before deployment.

Certify

To issue a certificate to.
The agency certified the product after thorough testing.

Verify

To validate the authenticity of a document or information.
The bank verified the signature on the check.

Certify

To guarantee or confirm as certain.
The manufacturer certified the appliance's energy efficiency.

Verify

To demonstrate the truth or accuracy of, as by the presentation of evidence
Experiments that verified the hypothesis.

Certify

To confirm formally as true, accurate, or genuine
The police certified that a suspect had been arrested.

Verify

To attest to the truth of (something) formally or under oath.

Certify

To guarantee as meeting a standard
Butter that was certified Grade A.

Verify

To make a formal verification in support of (a pleading).

Certify

To acknowledge in writing on the face of (a check) that the signature of the maker is genuine and that there are sufficient funds on deposit for its payment.

Verify

(transitive) To substantiate or prove the truth of something.

Certify

To issue a license or certificate to.

Verify

(transitive) To confirm or test the truth or accuracy of something.

Certify

To declare to be in need of psychiatric treatment or confinement.

Verify

To affirm something formally, under oath.

Certify

(Archaic) To inform positively; assure.

Verify

To prove to be true or correct; to establish the truth of; to confirm; to substantiate.
This is verified by a number of examples.
So shalt thou best fulfill, best verify.The prophets old, who sung thy endless reign.

Certify

To vouch for the authenticity of something
Certify to the facts.

Verify

To confirm or establish the authenticity of by examination or competent evidence; to authenticate; as, to verify a written statement; to verify an account, a pleading, or the like.
To verify our title with their lives.

Certify

(transitive) To attest to (a fact) as the truth.

Verify

To maintain; to affirm; to support.

Certify

To authenticate or verify in writing.

Verify

Confirm the truth of;
Please verify that the doors are closed
Verify a claim

Certify

(transitive) To attest that a product, service, organization, or person has met an official standard.
These blankets have been certified as fireproof.

Verify

Verify or regulate by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard, of scientific experiments;
Are you controlling for the temperature?

Certify

To inform; to tell (a person) that something is true.

Verify

Attach or append a legal verification to (a pleading or petition)

Certify

To assure (oneself) of something; to ascertain.

Verify

To declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true;
Before God I swear I am innocent

Certify

To give cetain information to; to assure; to make certain.
We certify the king, that . . . thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

Certify

To give certain information of; to make certain, as a fact; to verify.
The industry of science at once certifies and greatly extends our knowledge of the vastness of the creation.

Certify

To testify to in writing; to make a declaration concerning, in writing, under hand, or hand and seal.
The judges shall certify their opinion to the chancellor, and upon such certificate the decree is usually founded.

Certify

Provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes;
His high fever attested to his illness
The buildings in Rome manifest a high level of architectural sophistication
This decision demonstrates his sense of fairness

Certify

Guarantee payment on; of checks

Certify

Authorize officially;
I am licensed to practice law in this state

Certify

Guarantee as meeting a certain standard;
Certified grade AAA meat

Certify

Declare legally insane

Common Curiosities

Who can verify information or products?

Verification can be done internally by organizations or externally by specialists, depending on the context.

Who can certify a product or individual?

Certification is usually done by accredited organizations or bodies with the authority to do so.

Can a certification expire?

Yes, certifications often have a validity period after which re-certification is required.

Can anyone issue a certification?

No, only accredited or authorized bodies can issue valid certifications.

What is the main difference between verify and certify?

Verification is checking for truth or compliance, while certification is a formal acknowledgment of meeting certain criteria.

Can an individual or product be verified and certified at the same time?

Yes, verification can lead to certification if the criteria are met.

What is the purpose of verification?

To ensure compliance with requirements or to confirm the accuracy of information.

Is verification always required for certification?

Generally, yes. Verification is a step towards ensuring that the standards for certification are met.

What is the purpose of certification?

To formally recognize or guarantee that certain standards have been achieved.

Are there different levels of certification?

Yes, depending on the field, there can be various levels indicating different degrees of expertise or quality.

Is verification a legal requirement?

In many cases, yes, especially in regulated industries or for safety-critical products.

What role do third-party agencies play in verification and certification?

They often act as neutral parties to ensure objectivity and credibility in the verification and certification processes.

Can a certification be revoked?

Yes, if ongoing standards are not maintained or if the certification was obtained fraudulently.

What happens if verification or certification standards are not met?

The product, individual, or organization may need to make improvements and undergo the process again.

How often does verification occur?

It varies widely, depending on the context, from continuous monitoring to periodic checks.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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