# Certificate Verification Guide

IAF CertSearch has revolutionized certification verification by developing a search engine that allows you to easily search and verify an organization’s certification information.

This tool helps reduce risk and enhance trust across the global supply chain. In this guide, you'll learn all the essential steps to efficiently verify company certifications and ensure compliance with accredited standards.

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Access to advanced features, such as Bulk Matching via file upload, is available only to Basic, Standard, and Enteprise subscribers.
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### Prerequisites

* An Active IAF CertSearch account.

### **Simplify your certificate verification process with these steps:**

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#### Start your search

You can initiate your certificate verification through the following:

* **Manual Search** using the IAF CertSearch search engine
* **File Upload** for bulk certificate validation
* **API Integration** for automated, seamless verification
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#### Verify the Certifications

You can access their certification information once you find a match for the company you wish to verify. This will initiate the certification verification process, providing details on their certification status and accredited standards.
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#### [**Understand the Certification Status**](/verifiers/getting-started/certificate-verification-guide/understand-the-certification-status.md)

Each certificate will display one of the following statuses:

* **Active:** Certificate is valid and compliant.
* **Suspended:** Temporarily inactive, may be under review or non-compliant.
* **Withdrawn:** Permanently revoked by the CB.
* **Expired:** Validity period has ended without renewal.
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#### **Validate for Compliance**

Use this verified information to:

* Confirm current certification status
* Assess supplier compliance
* Prepare for audits
* Mitigate risk in procurement or partnerships
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#### Tips for Verifying a Certificate

When verifying a certification or company information, be sure to review the associated consumption charges. Some certifications may involve multiple entities, which can impact the total verification costs. Understanding this can help you anticipate any additional charges that may apply.
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