empowerment, authorisation, authorization - the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant

accreditation - the act of granting credit or recognition (especially with respect to educational institution that maintains suitable standards); "a commission is responsible for the accreditation of medical schools"

confirmation - information that confirms or verifies

document, papers, written document - writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

certificate of incorporation - state approval of the articles of incorporation of a corporation

birth certificate - a copy of the official document giving details of a person's birth

diploma, sheepskin - a document certifying the successful completion of a course of study

military commission, commission - an official document issued by a government and conferring on the recipient the rank of an officer in the armed forces

bill of health - a certificate saying that a departing ship's company is healthy (to be presented at the next port of arrival)

registration - a document certifying an act of registering

teacher's certificate, teaching certificate - a certificate saying that the holder is qualified to teach in the public schools

probate, probate will - a judicial certificate saying that a will is genuine and conferring on the executors the power to administer the estate

validation, substantiation, proof - the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something