Atteste

Atteste are the plural form of Attest, a term widely used in German-speaking countries to denote an official or formal certificate that verifies a fact or status. The word derives from Latin attestare “to bear witness, certify,” via French and German.

In practice, Atteste are produced by qualified authorities or professionals, such as physicians for medical attestations, or by educational or administrative bodies for attestations of enrollment or attendance. Medical attestations (ärztliches Attest) are commonly used to excuse absences from work or school, or to certify fitness for activities. Administrative attestations may verify identity, conduct, or enrollment. Corporate and legal contexts may require attestations to certify qualifications, integrity, or compliance with regulations. Atteste can be written on standard forms or as free-text letters, and their content must reflect the signer’s knowledge and the situation. The scope, formality, and validity period of an Attest vary by country, institution, and purpose. In German-speaking jurisdictions, Atteste are generally distinguishable from certificates of notarial practice or official records (Bescheinigungen, Urkunden), though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in common language.

In Austria, Germany, and parts of Switzerland, Atteste are common in schools, medicine, and public administration. Notaries and courts might issue acts or attestations as part of a legal process; however, not all attestations carry official legal weight. See also: certificate, credential, verification.