Certificate

Certificate

A formal document used to record a fact and used as proof of the fact, such as stock certificates, that evidence ownership of stock in a corporation.

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Certificate

A physical document that declares a fact and that may be used to prove said fact. One of the most common types of certificates is a stock certificate, which gives the person or company listed a portion of ownership in a publicly-traded company. Certificates often contain a great deal of information, such as what the certificate entails, whether that be ownership, a right attached to the ownership (such as a warrant), or something else entirely. Certificates of ownership also state the name of the owner; for example, a deed to a house contains the name of the owner(s). Certificates are vitally important, as one may use them in court to prove a fact alleged.

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certificate

Evidence of ownership of a bond or shares of stock. A certificate contains detailed information relating to the issuer and the owner, including the issuer's name, particulars of the issue, the number of shares or the principal amount of the bonds, and the name and address of the owner. The back of a certificate may contain further details about the issue along with a provision for transferring ownership. Also called stock certificate. See also book-entry security.

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Certificate

The actual piece of paper that is evidence of ownership of stock in a corporation.