Using the Verification Page

What Is the Verification Page?

The TimeProof verification page is a public tool that lets anyone confirm whether a specific file has been timestamped on the blockchain. It’s available at app.timeprooflabs.com/verify and requires no account, no login, and no payment.

Verification is the core promise of blockchain timestamping — anyone, anywhere, at any time can independently confirm that a file existed at the recorded moment.

How to Verify a Timestamp

Method 1: Upload the File

Navigate to the verification page
Drag your file onto the upload area or click to browse
TimeProof computes the SHA-256 hash in your browser (the file stays on your device)
The system checks the hash against blockchain records
Results display: timestamp date, transaction hash, block number, and verification status

Method 2: Enter a Hash

If you already have the SHA-256 hash (from a certificate or your own computation):

Navigate to the verification page
Switch to the “Enter Hash” tab
Paste the 64-character hexadecimal hash
The system checks the hash against blockchain records
Results display the same information as file upload

Method 3: Use a Direct URL

Verification pages support URL parameters for direct linking:

https://app.timeprooflabs.com/verify?hash=abc123...

This is useful for sharing verification links in documents, emails, or legal materials. The recipient clicks the link and sees the verification result immediately.

Understanding Verification Results

Verified (Success)

When a hash is found on the blockchain, the page displays:

Status: Verified — this file was timestamped on the Polygon blockchain
Timestamp: The exact date and time (UTC) the hash was anchored
Transaction Hash: The blockchain transaction ID — clickable link to Polygonscan
Block Number: The specific Polygon block containing the transaction
Network: The blockchain network (Polygon mainnet or Amoy testnet)

Not Found (No Match)

When a hash isn’t found, possible causes include:

Modified file: Even a single byte change produces a completely different hash. If a file has been edited, re-saved, or re-exported since timestamping, its hash will differ
Not timestamped: The file may never have been submitted to TimeProof
Pending: If the file was submitted as a scheduled timestamp, it may still be in the queue waiting for the next batch window

The Shareable Verification Link

Every timestamped file gets a permanent verification URL that you can share with anyone. This URL:

Works without a TimeProof account
Displays the complete verification result
Links directly to the Polygonscan transaction
Includes instructions for manual verification
Remains functional even if TimeProof’s servers are temporarily unavailable (the blockchain record is independent)

Include this link in contracts, legal documents, or evidence submissions as a quick way for any party to confirm the timestamp.

Purchasing a Courtroom-Ready Package

After verifying a timestamp, any visitor can purchase a Legal-Grade evidence package directly from the verification page:

Verify the file or hash
Click “Get Courtroom-Ready Package — $1.95”
Connect a wallet (Google, Apple, or existing crypto wallet)
Complete the Stripe checkout
Download the ZIP package containing all seven evidence files

This feature is designed for lawyers, auditors, and other third parties who need court-ready documentation for a timestamp they didn’t create. No coordination with the original timestamp owner is required.

Verification vs. Trust

The verification page is a convenience tool, but it’s not the only way to verify a timestamp. Because the blockchain is public, you can always:

Compute the SHA-256 hash yourself using any hashing tool
Look up the hash on Polygonscan directly
Use the Merkle proof from a certificate to verify inclusion mathematically
Query the TimeProof smart contract directly using any Ethereum-compatible tool

TimeProof’s verification page automates these steps, but every step can be performed independently. This means your proof does not depend on TimeProof’s continued operation.

Verification for Batch Files

Files that were timestamped in a batch are verified individually — the same way single files are verified. The Merkle proof in each file’s certificate provides the path from the file’s hash to the Merkle root anchored on-chain. The verification page handles this automatically.

The verifier doesn’t need to know about other files in the batch. Each certificate is self-contained and independently verifiable.

Embedding Verification in Workflows

For Legal Teams

Include the verification URL in evidence submissions. The URL provides instant proof to judges, opposing counsel, and expert witnesses without requiring them to install software or create accounts.

For Business Documentation

Add verification URLs to document management systems. When a stakeholder questions a document’s timestamp, the link provides instant confirmation.

For API Users

Use the verification API endpoint (GET /api/verify/check/:hash) to integrate verification into automated workflows. See the API Overview for details.

How to Verify a Timestamp — detailed verification walkthrough
Polygonscan Verification — verify directly on the blockchain
Third-Party Verification — guide for lawyers and auditors
Legal-Grade Package — what’s in the evidence bundle