Certificaat

In Dutch law, a certificate serves as an evidentiary document issued by a competent authority. It confirms, for example, ownership of shares or the validity of a legal act.

Certificates are relevant across various fields of law, including corporate law and the law of persons and family law. They provide legal certainty and are frequently used in transactions or proceedings.

In practice, a certificate is employed, for instance, upon the issuance of share certificates by a foundation for the administration of shares (stichting administratiekantoor), whereby beneficial ownership is separated from legal title.