Autographs 101 · Collector guide
How do I look up a JSA, PSA, or Beckett certificate?
Official certificate lookups
Autographs 101 is not affiliated with JSA, PSA, or Beckett. A match means the issuer has a record for that number. Compare the record with the item.
| Service | Official lookup | A match means | Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| JSA | Verify Authenticity | JSA has a record for that number. | Steps |
| PSA / PSA/DNA | Cert Verification | PSA has a record for that number. | Steps |
| Beckett | Certificate verification | Beckett has a record for that number. | Steps |
Where can you look up an autograph certificate?
Use the issuer’s own lookup, reached through its official website. PSA uses Cert Verification for PSA and PSA/DNA records; JSA provides Verify Authenticity; Beckett Authentication Services has a certificate verification page. Enter the number exactly, including any letters, and keep the original document nearby.
A marketplace screenshot or QR code can be a starting point, but check the destination before entering anything. If a provider’s site is unavailable, wait or contact the issuer. An unavailable website does not establish whether a particular item is genuine.
PSA and PSA/DNA certificate verification
Beckett certificate verification
What should match the certificate record?
Compare every available detail: signer, item type, inscription, number of signatures, label number and any reference photographs. Check the item’s label against the accompanying paperwork. Record fields vary, so a database may not show every feature you want to inspect.
Request clear photographs of the whole item, signature, label and document. Keep the seller’s explanation separate from details you personally checked. Do not remove a label or alter the piece to investigate a mismatch.
Can a real certificate number be copied?
Yes. PSA explicitly warns that genuine numbers can be used on counterfeit labels or documents. Its lookup confirms database information and does not guarantee that an item offered online is a genuine PSA-authenticated object.
Evaluate the whole transaction: the physical piece, available documentation, seller history and return terms. A matching number is one research step, not a substitute for examining inconsistent evidence.
What do COA, LOA and JSA certification mean?
COA means certificate of authenticity; LOA means letter of authenticity. These terms describe documents. Their usefulness depends on who issued them, what was examined and whether the document can be connected to this particular item.
A JSA certification claim should refer to a record and service issued by James Spence Authentication. A seller-created COA, an auction-house statement and a third-party examination can represent different kinds of evidence. Read the issuer and scope instead of treating every document as interchangeable.
What if a certificate is missing or does not match?
Recheck transcription, issuer and item details. Ask the issuer about an unclear, missing or conflicting record before relying on it. Keep copies of the correspondence. A failed lookup by itself is not enough to declare an autograph fake.
If you have no certificate, preserve the history you do have and consider professional examination. Creating a collection record or receiving an AI pre-screen result does not issue a COA. Save the issuer, number, lookup date and unresolved questions alongside your item notes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up a JSA certificate?
Enter the certificate number on JSA's official Verify Authenticity page and compare the result with the signer, item and details in front of you.
How do I verify a PSA/DNA certificate?
Use PSA's Cert Verification on PSA's own website. Type the number exactly, including letters, and compare the record with the item and label.
Does a matching certificate number prove the autograph is real?
No. A real number can be copied onto a fake label or letter. A match shows a record exists; you still need to check that the record describes this exact item.
What if my certificate number isn't found?
Recheck the number and the issuer first, then contact the issuer. A failed lookup by itself doesn't prove the autograph is fake.