cer·tif·i·cate 1 /sər-'ti-fi-kət/ n
1 a: a document containing a certified statement esp. as to the truth of something
a birth certificate
b: a document certifying that a person has fulfilled the requirements of and may practice in a specified field
a teaching certificate
the signature...constitutes a certificate that the attorney or party has read the document — U.S. Code
3: a document that is proof of ownership or indebtedness
stock certificate s
gold certificate s
cer·tif·i·cate 2 /sər-'ti-fi-ˌkāt/ vt -cat·ed, -cat·ing: to testify or authorize by a certificate; esp: to recognize as having met special qualifications (as of a governmental agency or professional board) within a field see also certificated security at security
cer·tif·i·ca·to·ry /-kə-ˌtȯr-ē/ adj
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.