How to Say "certified" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “certified” is “certificado” — use 'certificado' when referring to something that has been officially guaranteed or approved, often related to quality or standards, like 'certified organic'.
certificado
ser-tee-fee-KAH-dohseɾ.ti.fiˈka.ðo
Examples
Hemos comprado café orgánico certificado.
We have bought certified organic coffee.
Envía el paquete por correo certificado para mayor seguridad.
Send the package by registered mail for greater security.
La calidad de este producto está certificada.
The quality of this product is certified/guaranteed.
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'certificado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Use 'certificada' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'carta certificada') and 'certificados/certificadas' for plural nouns.
Forgetting the Gender Change
Mistake: “Una cuenta certificado (A certified account)”
Correction: Una cuenta certificada. (Since 'cuenta' is feminine, the adjective must end in -a.)
oficial
o-fee-SYALo.fiˈsjal
Examples
El comunicado oficial será publicado mañana.
The official announcement will be published tomorrow.
Necesitas una traducción oficial del documento.
You need an official translation of the document.
La versión oficial de los hechos es diferente.
The official version of the events is different.
One Form for Masculine & Feminine
'Oficial' is a handy adjective because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. You say 'el comunicado oficial' (masculine) and 'la versión oficial' (feminine). It only changes for plural things: 'los documentos oficiales'.
Forgetting the '-es' for Plural
Mistake: “Los documentos oficial son importantes.”
Correction: Los documentos oficiales son importantes. Because 'documentos' is plural, 'oficial' needs to become 'oficiales' to match.
auténtico
ow-TEN-tee-kohawˈtentiko
Examples
El notario firmó el acta para hacerla auténtica.
The notary signed the record to make it certified/official.
Presentaron una declaración auténtica ante el juez.
They presented a verified statement before the judge.
Formal Contexts
In legal and bureaucratic language, 'auténtico' often means that a document has been officially checked and confirmed as legitimate by a reliable source, like a notary or a government office.
titulado
tee-too-LAH-dohtituˈlaðo
Examples
Buscamos a un abogado titulado para este puesto.
We are looking for a qualified lawyer for this position.
Mi hermana ya está titulada en medicina.
My sister is already a certified doctor.
Solo aceptan personal titulado en la clínica.
They only accept staff with a degree at the clinic.
Changing the Endings
Since this acts like a description, it changes to 'titulada' if you are talking about a woman, and adds an 's' if you are talking about more than one person.
Describing After the Noun
In Spanish, we usually put 'titulado' after the job title, like saying 'lawyer qualified' instead of 'qualified lawyer'.
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: “Ella es un médico titulado.”
Correction: Ella es una médica titulada. (Remember to match the word with the gender of the person).
Certificado vs. Auténtico
Related Translations
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