How to check an Authentikor code on an email or a document
Five ways to check a code or a seal, what each one reads, and what to do when a check says invalid, expired or blacklisted.
On this page5 sections
An Authentikor code is printed on an email, an invoice, a contract or a letter by the business that sent it. Checking it takes less than a minute, and it works the same way on every medium.
Five ways to check
Every way leads to the same record, so every way shows the same result.
| Way | What you do | What Authentikor reads |
|---|---|---|
| Click | Click the banner or link in the email. | The code in the link. |
| Type | Type the code at authentikor.co.za/verify. | The typed code. |
| QR code | Point a phone camera at the QR code. | The code in the QR code. |
| Scan the seal | Give the file check a photo, a screenshot or the file with the seal. | The seal in the image. |
| Drop the file | Drop a PDF or image on the file check. | The seal in the file. |
An example code looks like this: 20261020-EXAMPLEEML. It is a real example you can use to see what a check looks like.
Typing a code
Go to authentikor.co.za/verify.
Type the code exactly as printed.
Read the result.
Reading the result
A valid code opens a certificate that names who issued it, what it may be used for, and the dates it is valid. Read the name. Then ask the plain question: is this the person or business I expected to hear from?
When the check says something else
If a code is invalid, expired or blacklisted, do not act on the email or the document. Phone the sender on a number you already trust, not a number from the message itself.
A code can end for ordinary reasons. The sender chooses how long it lasts, and it can end after a set time or after a set number of checks. The sender can also cancel or blacklist it at any time.
Checking a file
If you have a document or a screenshot rather than a code, use the file check. It reads the seal from the file and shows the same record, so a changed document or a wrong sender stands out.
Questions and answers
Do I need an account to check a code?
No. You can enter a verification code without creating an account. The issuer's system counts and logs each check.
Do I need to install anything?
No. A code is checked in a web browser.