legitimering

Legitimering is the process of establishing legitimacy or authenticity of a person, document, claim, or action by supplying proof or formal authorization. The term, rooted in the Latin legitimus and used in several Scandinavian languages, is commonly applied to both the validation of identities and the formal recognition of rights, status, or credentials.

Contexts include public administration, finance, law, and digital environments. In public services, legitimering often means verifying a person’s identity to grant access to benefits or records. In finance and compliance, it relates to know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering procedures that confirm a client’s legitimacy and risk profile. In legal and professional settings, licensure, certification, and accreditation are forms of legitimering that authorize practice and acknowledge standards. In digital environments, legitimate access is established through authentication, digital signatures, and cryptographic certificates.

Methods of legitimering include presenting official documents, biometrics, certificates, seals, or licenses; sometimes participation in audits or regulatory recognition is required. The process must balance security with privacy and accessibility, avoiding exclusion of marginalized groups and ensuring transparency about criteria and decision-making.

Related terms include legitimacy, authentication, validation, licensure, and accreditation. Legitimization emphasizes formal recognition and proof that enable action, access, or status within a system.