DataSeal.net
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Practical guide

Verify a proof yourself

You do not have to trust DataSeal.net alone. This checklist walks through what to check on a public certificate using tools anyone can run.

Before you start

  • Keep a copy of the original file or text—the certificate usually shows only a fingerprint, not the full payload.
  • Open the public proof link in a browser. If you are new to the layout, skim How to read a certificate first.
  • Full anchoring verification needs a Confirmed chain status and, for Merkle inclusion, Proof Ready.
1

Match the clone-proof fingerprint

Prove the certificate refers to your bytes—not a similar file with a different hash.

  1. Hash your file or text with SHA-256 (same algorithm as the certificate).
  2. Compare your result to the Clone-proof fingerprint on the certificate (64 lowercase hex characters).

On hash-mode certificates you can use the built-in verifier on the page, or our SHA-256 tool (runs locally; nothing is uploaded).

Pass: hashes match exactly.

2

Confirm the fingerprint is inside the anchor transaction

The certificate lists a fingerprint and a transaction ID—they are different values. Step 2 proves the on-chain transaction actually carries the fingerprint from step 1.

  1. Open the Transaction hex field and click Decode.
  2. Find the OP_RETURN output in the decoder.
  3. Check that the OP_RETURN payload contains the same fingerprint (the decoder highlights a Fingerprint match when it finds it).

If there is no transaction hex yet, anchoring may still be pending—you can only complete this step after broadcast.

Pass: OP_RETURN embeds your fingerprint; you are not relying on DataSeal.net to claim the link without evidence.

3

Confirm the anchor landed on the blockchain

Verify the transaction was recorded and confirmed in a block.

  • Chain status should show Confirmed.
  • Note the Transaction ID, block hash, block height, and block time.
  • Optionally look up the transaction ID on a public blockchain explorer for the network shown on the certificate.

Background: blockchain guide.

Pass: transaction is confirmed in a specific block at a known time.

4

Verify Merkle inclusion (optional but strong)

Confirm the anchor transaction is a leaf in the block's Merkle tree—not just listed on the certificate.

  • Merkle proof status should be Ready.
  • Review proof nodes and the 3D path: transaction → siblings → block hash.
  • Advanced: recompute the Merkle climb from the transaction leaf using proof nodes and confirm you arrive at the published block hash (see the Merkle guide).

Pass: Merkle path validates against the block hash on the certificate.

If something fails

  • Fingerprint mismatch — wrong file, altered bytes, or wrong certificate link.
  • No fingerprint in OP_RETURN — transaction hex may not be the expected anchor, or encoding differs; investigate before trusting the link.
  • Not confirmed / proof pending — wait for anchoring jobs to finish or ask the certificate owner.
  • Merkle proof missing — inclusion evidence may still be fetching; certificate metadata alone is weaker until proof is ready.

What you have proven when all steps pass

  • The certificate fingerprint matches your exact data.
  • That fingerprint was embedded in a specific on-chain transaction you can inspect.
  • The transaction was confirmed in a block at a recorded time.
  • Optionally, Merkle math ties that transaction to the block hash independently.

That is strong evidence of existence and timing for specific bytes—not automatic proof of authorship, legal ownership, or that the content is factually true.