Authenticate

Authentication

In regards to contracts or other documents, authentication means to sign or to execute the document.

Authentication commonly refers to providing sufficient evidencefor a reasonable juror to conclude that the evidence a party seeks to admit is what that party claims it to be. The process of authentication is often referred to as "laying a foundation" for the evidence desired to be admitted at trial.

There are several different methods that can be used to authenticate evidence, many of which are listed in Federal Rule of Evidence 901. These include testimony of a witness with knowledge of the matter, evidence of public records, and evidence of distinctive characteristics among many others.