How Document Verification Certificates Work

Understand how Ed25519 signatures and SHA-256 hashes prove your documents are authentic and unmodified.

Last updated: January 15, 2025

The Verification Process

Every RedactProof export includes a verification certificate (verification.json) that allows anyone to independently confirm the document's authenticity.

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Three Ways to Verify

1. Self-Contained Verification

The PDF itself contains a certificate page with a QR code. Recipients can scan this code to verify the document without needing the separate verification.json file.

2. Online Verification

Visit redactproof.com/verify and upload the verification.json file and the redacted PDF.

3. Certificate ID Lookup

Each certificate has a unique ID (e.g., "rp_abc123xyz"). Enter this ID at the verification page to look up the certificate details.

What Verification Proves

What It DOES Prove

  • Document was processed by RedactProof at the stated time
  • Document has not been modified since export
  • Redacted document was derived from a specific original

What It Does NOT Prove

  • That redactions are legally sufficient or accurate
  • The identity of the person who performed the redaction
  • Regulatory compliance or legal admissibility