If you’re buying a signed piece of memorabilia, the first thing you should do before spending a dollar is verify the authentication. PSA/DNA is the most trusted third-party autograph authentication service in the hobby, and every item they certify can be verified online in seconds. This guide walks you through exactly how to do it; what to look for on the item itself; and what the different types of PSA/DNA authentication look like depending on when the autograph was certified.
How to Verify a PSA/DNA Certification Number
Every PSA/DNA authenticated autograph is assigned a unique certification number. That number is your direct line to confirming the item is legitimate. Here’s how to check it:
1. Go to psacard.com/cert
2. Enter the certification number from the item’s tamper-evident sticker, certification card, or letter of authenticity
3. Click search
The database will return the details PSA has on file for that certification number, including the signer’s name, the item type, and the authentication date. If the details match what you’re looking at, the item checks out. If the cert number returns no results or the details don’t match the item being sold, that’s a red flag.
One important note from PSA themselves: verification of a cert number confirms that the number exists in their database, but it does not guarantee that the physical item you’re looking at is the one that was originally certified. Counterfeit stickers with real cert numbers do exist, though they’re uncommon. This is why buying from trusted, established sellers matters as much as the certification itself.
What’s on the Item: The Tamper-Evident Sticker
The most important physical marker on any PSA/DNA authenticated autograph is the tamper-evident holographic sticker. This is a small oval sticker that displays the PSA/DNA logo, a unique certification number, and a color-changing hologram. It is applied directly to the item and can only be used once. If someone tries to peel it off, the sticker tears apart and leaves fragments behind; it cannot be cleanly removed and reapplied to a different item.
In addition to the sticker, PSA/DNA applies an invisible synthetic DNA marker to the item during the certification process. This DNA tag is permanent, non-damaging, and virtually impossible to replicate. It provides an additional layer of security beyond what’s visible to the naked eye.
If you’re examining an item in person, the sticker should sit flat, show no signs of tampering or lifting at the edges, and the hologram should shift color when tilted under light. If the sticker looks altered, partially removed, or doesn’t display the holographic effect, proceed with caution.
The Current System: Sticker + Digital COA (October 2023 Onward)
Starting in October 2023, PSA/DNA stopped issuing physical certification cards with standard autograph authentication. Items authenticated from that point forward receive the tamper-evident holographic sticker on the item and a permanent digital certificate of authenticity in PSA’s online database. There is no physical card included.
This doesn’t mean the authentication is any less valid. The digital COA is permanently tied to the certification number and is accessible anytime at psacard.com/cert. The verification process is exactly the same as it has always been; PSA simply moved the documentation online. The sticker on the item remains the primary physical proof of authentication.
If you purchase an item from a seller and it was authenticated after October 2023, the sticker and the online database entry are your complete authentication package. The absence of a physical card is normal and expected.
The Older System: Sticker + Physical Certification Card
Items authenticated before October 2023 were issued a small physical certification card alongside the sticker. This was a roughly 3×3-inch card displaying the PSA/DNA logo, the certification number matching the sticker, and basic details about the authenticated item.
If you’re buying an older authenticated item and the seller includes the original certification card, that’s a nice bonus. But the card alone is not the authentication; the sticker on the item is. A certification card without a matching sticker on the item doesn’t prove anything about the item itself. Always verify the cert number in the online database regardless of whether a physical card is present.
Many items on the secondary market will no longer have their original certification card. Cards get separated from items over time, especially as pieces change hands between collectors. This is completely normal and does not diminish the authentication as long as the sticker is intact on the item and the cert number verifies in PSA’s database.
Letters of Authenticity (LOA)
For higher-value submissions, PSA/DNA issues a full Letter of Authenticity rather than the smaller certification card. The LOA is a larger, more detailed document that includes the certification number, a description of the authenticated item, the PSA/DNA holographic logo, and additional security features. Items with an authentication fee of $50 or more automatically receive the full LOA; items below that threshold received the smaller certification card (or now, just the sticker and digital COA).
Some sellers also have the option to request that the tamper-evident sticker be placed on the LOA itself rather than directly on the item. This is sometimes done with items where the owner prefers not to have a sticker on the piece itself. In these cases, the LOA with the attached sticker serves as the physical authentication document, and the cert number still verifies in the online database the same way.
Like certification cards, an LOA can be separated from the item over time. The sticker on the item (or on the LOA) combined with the online database verification is what ultimately confirms the authentication.
Quick Reference: What to Check Before You Buy
Whether you’re buying online or in person, run through these steps every time:
1. Look for the tamper-evident holographic sticker on the item. It should be intact with no signs of tampering.
2. Note the certification number on the sticker.
3. Go to psacard.com/cert and enter that number.
4. Confirm the database result matches the item: correct signer, correct item type.
5. Buy from established, reputable sellers. Authentication is the foundation, but the source matters too.
Every PSA/DNA authenticated item in our store includes the certification number in the product description, and every number is permanently verifiable at psacard.com. All orders ship free within the United States.