How to Create a Certificate of Authenticity for Your Artwork
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a document that verifies the origin and authorship of an artwork. Here's everything you need to know about creating one.
What is a Certificate of Authenticity?
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a signed document from the artist that certifies an artwork is genuine. It serves as a permanent record of the work's origin and is an important part of provenance documentation.
For collectors, a COA provides confidence that they're buying an authentic work. For artists, it adds professionalism to your practice and protects against forgery claims. For both parties, it creates a paper trail that can be important for insurance, resale, and estate planning.
When should you issue a COA?
You should provide a COA with every original artwork or limited edition print that you sell. Some artists also issue COAs for commissioned works and gifts. The general rule is: if someone is paying for your work, include a certificate.
COAs are especially important for:
- Original paintings, drawings, and sculptures
- Limited edition prints and multiples
- Photography (especially limited editions)
- Mixed media and installation works
- Digital art with physical components
For open edition prints or merchandise (postcards, posters), COAs are typically not necessary.
What to include on a COA
A complete Certificate of Authenticity should include:
- Artist name — Your full legal name as used professionally
- Title of the artwork — Including “Untitled” if applicable
- Year of creation
- Medium — Complete materials description (e.g., “Oil on linen canvas”)
- Dimensions — Height x width (x depth if applicable), with unit specified
- Image of the artwork — A clear photograph of the work
- Edition information — If applicable: edition size, copy number (e.g., “3/25”)
- Certificate number — A unique identifier for the certificate itself
- Date of issue — When the COA was created
- Artist signature — A hand signature or uploaded signature image
- Statement of authenticity — A declaration that the work is an original created by you
Writing the authenticity statement
The statement doesn't need to be long or legalistic. A clear, straightforward declaration works best. Here's a template:
“I, [Artist Name], hereby certify that this artwork is an original work created solely by me. This certificate accompanies the work and should be retained as documentation of its authenticity.”
For limited editions, you might add:
“This work is number [X] of a limited edition of [Y]. No additional copies will be produced.”
Generate COAs automatically
Artwork Codex generates professional, auto-numbered certificates of authenticity directly from your artwork records — with your signature, artwork image, and all the details.
COA generation included with Pro. Free plan available.
COA best practices
- Print on quality paper
Use heavier weight paper (at least 100gsm) or card stock. A certificate printed on regular copy paper doesn't inspire confidence.
- Keep a copy for yourself
Always keep a copy or digital record of every COA you issue. This is part of your artwork records and can be important if authentication questions come up later.
- Use a consistent numbering system
Number your certificates sequentially (COA-001, COA-002, etc.) so each one is unique and trackable.
- Include a photograph
A clear image of the artwork on the certificate makes it much more useful as a reference document. It also makes the certificate harder to misuse or attach to a different work.
- Don't attach the COA to the artwork
COAs should be stored separately from the artwork itself. If attached to the back of a canvas, for example, they can be damaged or lost during framing or shipping.
Creating COAs: manual vs software
You can create COAs manually using a word processor or design tool, but this means formatting each certificate individually, manually entering artwork details, and keeping track of certificate numbers yourself.
Dedicated art inventory tools like Artwork Codex can generate COAs automatically from your artwork records. You upload your signature once, and the system pulls in the artwork title, medium, dimensions, year, image, and auto-assigns a certificate number. This saves time and ensures consistency across all your certificates.
Whichever method you use, the important thing is that you actually issue COAs with your work. Many artists skip this step, and their collectors (and the collectors' estates) are left without proper documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Does a COA increase the value of my artwork?
A COA doesn't directly increase value, but the absence of one can decrease it. Collectors and auction houses expect authentication documentation, and works without COAs can be harder to resell.
Can anyone issue a COA?
The most authoritative COA comes from the artist themselves. After an artist's death, COAs can be issued by the artist's estate, a catalogue raisonné author, or a recognized authentication board. Third-party COAs from unrelated individuals carry very little weight.
Should I issue COAs for older work I've already sold?
If a collector contacts you requesting a COA for a work they previously purchased from you, it's good practice to provide one. This strengthens the provenance record and builds trust with your collectors.
Do I need a COA for prints?
For limited edition prints, yes — a COA is expected. It should state the edition size, the copy number, and the printing method. For open edition prints, a COA isn't typically necessary.
Generate COAs automatically
Artwork Codex generates professional, auto-numbered certificates of authenticity directly from your artwork records — with your signature, artwork image, and all the details.
COA generation included with Pro. Free plan available.