autorizado

Autorizado is a Spanish adjective and the past participle of the verb autorizar. It denotes that someone or something has been granted formal permission or authority to perform a task, access resources, or represent another party. The term is used in legal, administrative, commercial, and everyday contexts to indicate legitimacy, official capacity, or valid authorization. Noun forms such as el autorizado or la autorizada refer to a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another, for example a representative or agent.

Etymology and usage. Autorizar comes from the concept of authority and origin, drawing on the Latin root auctor, meaning author or authorizer. Over time, authorized permissions are codified in laws, regulations, contracts, and internal policies, creating a formal status that can be recognized in different sectors.

Contexts. In law and government, a document, action, or entity is autorizado when approved by the competent authority, such as a license, permit, or certified document. In business and finance, accounts, transactions, or corporate actions may require an autorizado signatory or officer, within defined limits. In everyday language, a person may be described as autorizado to speak for an organization or to perform specific duties.

Distinction from similar terms. While autorizado and permitido both convey permission, autorizado implies an official grant or delegated authority from an authority or contract, whereas permitido often denotes general permissibility or social acceptance without formal designation. In many formal settings, a defined authorization regime governs who is autorizado and what actions they may undertake.