What is a Digital COA?
Certificate of Authenticity — Cryptographic Proof of Document Integrity
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provides mathematical proof that a digital document existed in an identical, unaltered form at a specific moment in time. Rooted in cryptographic integrity—not institutional trust.
How It Works
Client-Side Validation Without File Uploads
VerixID leverages industry-standard cryptographic hashing algorithms to generate a unique mathematical fingerprint for your document. This computation occurs entirely within your browser environment. Your original files never leave your device.
This cryptographic fingerprint is committed to an immutable ledger alongside an absolute, authoritative timestamp. Even a single bit change—such as a trailing space or altered character—yields a completely distinct hash value. Tampering is detected mathematically, leaving no room for subjective interpretation.
Upon completion, you receive a Cryptographic Receipt containing a Record ID and an Ownership Key. The Record ID allows public verification, while the Ownership Key validates record ownership. Together, they constitute your official COA. Learn more about audit procedures on our COA Audit page.
Service Ecosystem
Two Instruments. One Absolute Purpose.
Document submission is always free. You only pay when formal, actionable proof is required—offering two tailored tiers based on your needs.
① COA — Formal Proof
A flat-fee ($10 / certificate) credential generated from an existing integrity record. Contains cryptographic hashes, timestamp credentials, and audit references designed for clients, partners, and legal counterparties. Retained for 10 years*. View Specimen COA
② Forensics — In-Depth Analysis
An enterprise-grade, case-based technical investigation service: chain-of-custody reconstruction, ledger signature verification, and structured forensic reporting for litigation or corporate audits. Custom scope pricing — contact our technical team.
Core Value
What Does a COA Guarantee?
Prior-Existence Timestamping
Establishes definitive, undeniable proof that a file or digital asset existed at an exact timestamp prior to any dispute. Critical for IP registration, contracts, and deliverable handoffs.
Identity Anchoring
A VerixID COA is not an anonymous record—it is cryptographically bound to the publisher's verified profile. IP ownership claims prove not only *when* a file existed, but *who* registered it.
Long-Term Data Integrity
Guarantees documents remain unaltered across transmission and storage—even decades later. Guaranteed 10-year retention* enforced by system architecture, not arbitrary policy.
Independent Public Verification
Certificate holders can share proof with third parties for instant, independent verification—anytime, anywhere, with zero account requirements.
Use Cases
Who Uses VerixID COA?
Legal Teams & Law Firms: Lock down final execution versions of contracts, NDAs, and legal filings prior to signing. Should a dispute arise years later, VerixID serves as an unchallengeable mathematical witness.
Creators & IP Owners: Safeguard original artwork, technical specifications, and research outputs with objective mathematical evidence of prior creation.
Consultants & Contractors: Establish an indisputable timestamp when digital deliverables are dispatched. Protect original work against scope disputes or unauthorized modification.
Data Analysts & Auditors: Guarantee that financial audits, regulatory disclosures, and log exports remain tamper-evident and independently verifiable by external auditors.
Enterprises & Startups: Protect internal roadmaps, proprietary algorithms, and trade secrets with cryptographically backed proof of prior possession meeting global compliance standards.
Any Digital Asset Owner: Establish clear, verifiable ownership records to mitigate forgery risks, copyright infringement, and digital title disputes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a COA differ from a digital signature?
A digital signature verifies who signed a file. A VerixID COA proves the existence and mathematical integrity of the file itself at a precise moment in time. They work together: the COA confirms "this exact file existed unchanged since Date X", while the digital signature confirms approval identity.
Is my file uploaded to VerixID servers?
No. The cryptographic hashing process runs locally inside your web browser. Only the resulting 64-character hash string is transmitted to our network. VerixID possesses no technical mechanism to read or reconstruct your source data. This is Zero Custody by Design — an architectural guarantee.
How long does a VerixID COA remain valid?
Issued Certificates of Authenticity remain active and publicly verifiable for 10 years.
What is the legal standing of a VerixID COA?
VerixID COAs serve as admissible electronic evidence supporting document integrity and timestamping across international legal frameworks, arbitration panels, and corporate compliance audits.
What is the difference between Free, COA, and Forensic tiers?
Free Tier provides core integrity recording; your record remains active and verifiable within our system. Explore Verify →
COA (Certificate of Authenticity) is a one-time purchase yielding an official verification page and downloadable proof document for third-party presentation. Explore COA →
Forensic Tier is a comprehensive, case-specific technical investigation designed for litigation support, deep chain-of-custody audits, and expert testimony. Explore Forensics →
What happens if the exact same file is registered twice?
Each unique cryptographic fingerprint can only be registered once on the VerixID Ledger. If an identical file is submitted again, the ledger returns the initial registration details—reinforcing the priority claim of the original registrant.
Ready to Issue a COA for Your Document?
Visit our Audit portal to issue a formal COA or verify an existing document record.