MLB Authentication

Enter your two-letter prefix followed by the hologram number. Example: CV123456

Off-duty law enforcement officers working as independent contractors are assigned by Authenticators, Inc. to authenticate autographs and game-used memorabilia at every Major League Baseball game. Only those items that an authenticator actually witnesses being signed or used in a game may be eligible for authentication under the MLB Authentication Program. Once witnessed, authenticated items receive a tamper-proof hologram created by OpSec, U.S. with a unique alphanumeric combination to easily identify their authenticity.

Hologram introduced in 2022:

1. Unique two-letter hologram prefix
2. Unique serial number for each item that when combined with prefix allows collectors to cross-reference product against the database on MLB.com
3. Validation Code containing three randomized letters
4. QR Code containing hologram prefix and unique serial number
5. Major League Baseball silhouetted batter logo indicates item is part of the Major League Baseball Authentication Program

The Major League Baseball Authentication Program is the most comprehensive league-wide memorabilia authentication initiative in professional sports. Since its launch in 2001, it has become the industry standard for autographed and game-used sports memorabilia authentication. Designed to distinguish officially authenticated MLB memorabilia from other items on the market, the program offers an objective third-party authentication system that guarantees genuine memorabilia for all MLB fans.

Holograms used from 2006 to present:

Holograms used from 2001 to 2005:

In this period, Deloitte & Touche was solely responsible for the authentication of all items authenticated under the auspices of the MLB Authentication Program.

In order to ensure the security of items authenticated under the MLB Authentication Program, holograms are designed to show traces of tampering if a hologram is removed.

In addition to the holograms featured on authenticated memorabilia, different holograms are produced by OpSec, U.S. for use on Major League Baseball Properties licensed products. These holograms, also with unique alphanumeric combinations, allow fans to easily identify merchandise as officially licensed by MLBP. These holograms are NOT used for the authentication of game-used or autographed products and, therefore, will not show up on the verification system located on MLB.com/authentication.