The term 'certificate' has different meanings as per the context. It can be a document which certifies the truth of some facts, like marriage, birth, death, etc. It can be a document which certifies the ownership of a property, like a stock certificate. While some certificates are issued to people who complete some course, there are certificates which authorise persons to practise certain profession. Some certificates are issued by courts, certifying the facts or decisions of the concerned cases, like the certificate of divorce, certificate of appointment of estate trustee with a will, etc.