# Certelo — Capabilities and proof limits

> Certelo helps create and verify timestamped blockchain evidence for the SHA-256 fingerprint of a document. Fingerprinting happens in the browser; the original file is not sent to Certelo for that step.

## Create a proof

The [certification page](https://certelo.io/certify) calculates a document's SHA-256 fingerprint locally. Certelo sends validated proof input through its server-side blockchain service. A confirmed registration has a matching fingerprint, validated submission time and blockchain references. Certelo offers a downloadable certificate PDF. Keep the original file and proof references so a later comparison can be made.

## Verify a proof

The [verification page](https://certelo.io/verify) accepts an original file, a SHA-256 fingerprint or a Certificate ID. A selected file is fingerprinted locally. A completed lookup can report a matching registration or no matching registration. If the lookup cannot be completed, the outcome is unknown; it is not reported as unregistered. Verification and supported certificate recreation are free and need no customer account.

## What the evidence means

A confirmed record supports the claim that a specific fingerprint was registered with the validated timestamp and blockchain evidence shown. A matching document produces that fingerprint when checked. This supports evidence that a matching document existed by the certification time. It does not by itself establish authorship, ownership, originality, the truth of the document's contents, legal validity or court acceptance. Certelo does not provide legal advice.

## Privacy and payment

The original file remains on the user's device during browser fingerprinting. Certelo processes the fingerprint and other data needed for proof, payment and optional services. Read the [Privacy Policy](https://certelo.io/legal/privacy) for details. The [Pricing page](https://certelo.io/pricing) shows the current server-provided price for an individual certificate. Volume needs use a contact path. API and MCP access are marked Coming soon; they are not current public products.

## Public information

- [Home](https://certelo.io/): Product overview.
- [About](https://certelo.io/about): Company and editorial responsibility.
- [Blog](https://certelo.io/blog): Published articles.
- [Terms](https://certelo.io/legal/terms): Service terms.
- [Sitemap](https://certelo.io/sitemap.xml): Public page inventory.