certification

noun | \ ˌsər-ti-fi-ˈkā-shən \ | cer·ti·fi·ca·tion

1. a : the act of certifying

   b : the state of being certified — see also certiorari

   Note: Certification of an interlocutory decision by a trial court allows an appellate court to review the decision and to answer a controlling question of law. Certification is often used in state courts as well as federal courts and, where available, allows a federal court to refer a question of state law to the state's highest court. Certification is also used to refer to a judge's order that allows a suit to be maintained as a class action.

2. : a certified statement