What Is a QR Code?
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a type of barcode that your smartphone can read instantly. You have probably seen them on restaurant menus, event tickets, and product packaging. Point your phone camera at one, and it opens a link immediately.
For art authentication, QR codes connect physical certificates to secure online verification. Each code is unique to a specific certificate, creating an unforgeable link between the document in your hands and the permanent record in our database.
Think of it as a digital fingerprint for your certificate - quick to scan, impossible to fake.
How to Verify a Certificate
Verifying a Certificate of Authenticity takes just seconds. Here is the complete process, step by step.
Open Your Camera
Simply open the camera app on your iPhone or Android. No special apps needed - modern smartphones recognize QR codes automatically.
Point at the QR Code
Hold your phone steady and point the camera at the QR code on the certificate. The code is typically located in the corner or near the certificate ID.
Tap the Link
A notification or banner appears with a link. Tap it to open the secure verification page. You will see a partial certificate ID displayed.
Enter the Certificate ID
For extra security, enter the full certificate ID from the physical certificate. This two-factor approach ensures you have the actual document in hand.
View the Results
Instantly see the verified artwork details: title, artist name, medium, dimensions, edition information, and issue date. Compare these with the physical certificate and artwork.
Scan to verify - instant confirmation on any smartphone
The entire process takes less than 30 seconds. No accounts, no apps, no waiting.
What Happens Behind the Scenes
When you scan a QR code and enter the certificate ID, a lot happens in milliseconds to verify authenticity. Here is what goes on - explained simply.
Code Recognition
Your phone reads the QR code and extracts a unique verification hash - a cryptographic signature specific to this certificate.
Database Lookup
Our secure servers match the hash and certificate ID against the permanent record created when the certificate was issued.
Verification Response
If everything matches, you see the verified artwork details. If something is wrong - wrong ID, tampered code, or non-existent certificate - you get a clear warning.
All of this happens in under a second. The technology is complex, but the experience is simple: scan, enter, verify.
Why Two-Factor Verification Matters
You might wonder: why do you need to enter the certificate ID if you already scanned the QR code? This two-step process provides essential security.
- Someone could photograph your QR code
- They could share it online
- Anyone could claim to verify "their" certificate
- Bad actors could enumerate through certificates
- Must have physical certificate in hand
- QR code alone is not enough
- Cannot guess or brute-force the ID
- Prevents unauthorized access to records
What is enumeration and why prevent it?
Enumeration is when someone tries to access records by guessing sequential IDs (like certificate-001, certificate-002, etc.). Two-factor verification stops this completely - without both the QR code AND the matching certificate ID, no information is revealed. Your certificates remain private.
Works on Any Smartphone
Whether you use an iPhone, Android, or any modern smartphone, verification works exactly the same way. No apps to download, no accounts to create.
iPhone
iOS 11 or later
Android
Android 8 or later
Tablet
iPad, Android tablets
Just open your camera and point. If your phone can take a photo, it can verify a certificate.
Common Questions
What if the QR code is damaged?+
QR codes have built-in error correction and can still work even if partially damaged. If the code is severely damaged, contact the issuing artist or gallery for a replacement certificate.
Can verification be done offline?+
Verification requires an internet connection to check against our secure database. This ensures you always get the most current information about a certificate.
What information is shown after verification?+
You will see the artwork title, artist name, medium, dimensions, edition number (if applicable), and the date the certificate was issued. This lets you confirm the certificate matches the artwork.
Is my verification activity tracked?+
No personal information is collected during verification. The system only confirms whether a certificate is valid. Your privacy is protected.