Reading a certificate · Help

What it is

Every Proof Rail record has a public page at proofrail.me/v/ followed by its ID. This guide explains each part in plain words.

Who it's for

Anyone given a Proof Rail link, QR code or short code.

Steps

Open the link, scan the QR code, or type the record ID or short code at proofrail.me/verify.
Read the name, the claim and the Status line.
Read "What was checked": each check, its result, how it was checked and when.
Read what the record does not prove. Every record says so.
Look at the signature line.
Read the trust profile: who issued the record, who checked it, and any relationship between them.

In plain words

Status: Active, suspended, revoked, expired or superseded. Only an active record verifies anything. A record past its valid-until date shows Expired here, on the badge and at proofrail.me/check.
How it was checked: One of: self-reported (not independently checked); checked against an identified source; evidence reviewed under a named policy; rechecked on a declared schedule.
Signature: valid: The record has not been changed since Proof Rail signed it, and it was signed with a key Proof Rail publishes. It does not prove the claim itself is true.
Signature: not valid or not recorded: The record could not be matched to a published key, or has no signature. Do not rely on it.
Trust profile: Who issued the record, who reviewed it, and the method used.
Relationship disclosure: Shown when the issuer and Proof Rail are related, so you can weigh that.
Short code: A short code printed on the record. Type it at proofrail.me/verify to open the record.

Example

What you'll see

Screenshot to come

A record page: name and claim at the top, "What was checked", the line "Signature: valid (check it yourself)", and the trust profile.

Good to know

To check the signature yourself, click "check it yourself" for Proof Rail's published public keys, and "Signature details" for this record's result. Developers can verify it independently with the developer guide.
You can download the QR code or a PDF of the record from the share section.
If something on a record is wrong, use "Report a discrepancy or dispute this certificate" at the bottom of the page. See the FAQ.