English
한글 English
Request a demo
Guide

Verifying the Authenticity of a Digital Badge

Robin Yoon Robin Yoon · Customer Success Team Published
Digital Badgesauthenticity verificationCredential Verificationissue coderecipient
Verifying the Authenticity of a Digital Badge
Key points

Pressing [Verify credential] on the badge detail page instantly confirms authenticity without the issuer's server. With just an issue code, verification link, or QR code, third parties such as recruiters can verify it themselves at [Credential Lookup].

Key points Pressing [Verify credential] on the badge detail page instantly confirms authenticity without the issuer’s server. With just an issue code, verification link, or QR code, third parties such as recruiters can verify it themselves at [Credential Lookup].

Digital badges are recorded with a tamper-proof international standard (W3C Verifiable Credentials). That means not only the person who received the certificate but also the person checking it can verify its authenticity directly. This document explains both how to verify your own badge and how a third party can look it up.

Method 1. Verifying from the detail page

  1. Press the [Verify credential] button to the right of the issuance information on the badge detail page.

    Figure 2. The verification QR code and the Verify credential button to the right of the issuance information area are highlighted

  2. The verification result window opens. Check the recipient, issuer, and credential ID confirmations along with the message “This credential is authentic and was issued by the issuer”.

    Figure 3. Verification complete window. The recipient, issuer, and credential ID confirmation items and the authenticity notice are visible

  3. Press [What is KOLLEGES VERIFIED?] on the KOLLEGES VERIFIES mark next to the issuer to see what the issuer verification grade means.

    Figure 4. The verification window with the KOLLEGES VERIFIED explanation expanded

Method 2. Looking it up with an issue code or QR code (for third parties)

People who have not received the badge can also look up the certificate. Go to [Credential Lookup] in the top menu.

  1. Choose how you want to check it. Select one of issue code, verification link, or QR code.

  2. If you chose the issue code, enter the issue code from the certificate or the issuance email and press [Check].

    Figure 5. The Credential Lookup screen. The issue code, verification link, and QR code tabs and the input field are visible

  3. If the “Verified as authentic” card appears, the certificate is valid.

    Figure 6. The Verified as authentic result card. The recipient, issue date, and the recipient confirmed, issuer confirmed, and no tampering items are visible

Confirming it worked

If the verification result shows “This credential is authentic and was issued by the issuer” or “Verified as authentic”, the certificate is valid. The verification time is displayed as well.

Troubleshooting

I looked it up with an issue code but got no result Check that you entered the issue code exactly, including uppercase, lowercase, and hyphens. You can find the issue code under ‘Issue code’ on the certificate screen or in the issuance notification email.

“Verified” is not showing or verification fails This happens when the contents changed after issuance or the issuer cannot be confirmed. Check that the certificate link is correct, and if it keeps failing, contact the issuer.

Frequently asked questions

Pressing [Verify credential] on the badge detail page instantly displays the recipient, issuer, credential ID, and whether any tampering has occurred. Verification uses the W3C Verifiable Credentials standard without the issuer's server. If you see the message 'This credential is authentic and was issued by the issuer', the certificate is valid.
Yes. Even people who have not received a badge can look it up at [Credential Lookup] in the top menu using an issue code, verification link, or QR code. Anyone who receives the link can check its authenticity without logging in. Recruiters use this to verify an applicant's certificate.
KOLLEGES VERIFIED is a grade indicating that Kolleges has additionally verified the issuer's identity and operating entity. Separately from whether a certificate is authentic, it indicates the level of trust in the issuer itself. Press [What is KOLLEGES VERIFIED?] in the verification window to see what the grade means.
No. Authenticity is confirmed instantly without connecting to the issuer's server. Digital badges are recorded with the tamper-proof W3C Verifiable Credentials standard, so they are verified with the issuer's digital signature alone. Third parties can look them up with an issue code or QR code without logging in.
Check that you entered the issue code exactly, including uppercase, lowercase, and hyphens. You can find the issue code under 'Issue code' on the certificate screen or in the issuance notification email. You can also look it up with a link or QR code, and if you still get no result, contact the issuer.
If the contents change after issuance, verification will not confirm it as authentic. Digital badges are recorded with the issuer's digital signature, so if the name, issuer, criteria, or other details are manipulated, the signature will not match and verification will fail. If the 'Verified' mark is missing or verification fails, check that the certificate link is correct.

Want to turn learning outcomes into verifiable assets?

From issuing to verifying and amplifying, see it for yourself with Kolleges.

Request a Kolleges demo
Robin Yoon
Robin Yoon
Customer Success Team
I share real adoption stories, operational know-how, and Kolleges news from the institutions using digital badges.
More from this author

Related posts

Checking the Badge Detail Page

The badge detail page shows every piece of information about a certificate — issuer, issue date, issuing criteria (earning criteria), skills, and co-issuers. Use the [Certificate] / [Badge] tabs on the left to switch between the two images.

Guide Digital Badgescertificate

Sharing Your Digital Badge

Tap the [Share this achievement] button on the badge detail page to share directly to LinkedIn, Facebook, or KakaoTalk, or copy the link and save the QR image to show your badge anywhere.

Guide Digital Badgesbadge sharing

Recipient FAQ

The questions recipients ask most often, gathered in one place: what a digital badge is, whether it is secure, whether it expires. For the detailed steps, see the guide linked from each answer.

Guide Digital BadgesFAQ