The easiest way to check a record
- Open the Timestamp Content Record PDF.
- Find the full record number.
- Copy the entire number.
- Paste it into the FauxProof record checker.
- Select Check record.
You do not need to sign in or upload the work.
How to read the results
The checker gives two separate answers.
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Record found | FauxProof has a saved timestamp record for that number. |
| Record not found | FauxProof could not find a saved record for that number. |
| Still matches | The checked parts of the saved work are still the same as when the record was created. |
| Changed since record | At least one part changed, was removed, or was added after the record was created. |
| Cannot compare right now | The record exists, but the current saved work is not available for comparison. |
A changed result does not mean anyone did something wrong. It may simply mean the person kept working.
Optional: compare the long code
You can skip this if the online checker gave you the answer you needed.
Open Optional: compare the long code in the checker. Find FULL RECORD FINGERPRINT on the PDF and compare the entire code. Every letter and number should match.
The shorter hyphenated code is only a reference. It is not enough to confirm a match.
What the Timestamp Content Record can tell you
- FauxProof created a record of the listed items at the time shown.
- FauxProof can check whether the saved work is still the same.
- Someone with the original work can repeat the full check.
What it does not prove
- It does not prove who created the work.
- It does not prove who owns the work.
- It does not explain who changed the work or why.
- No outside service confirmed the date or time.
- It does not prove the PDF itself came from FauxProof.
Show the full checking method
You can stop here unless you need to check the content without using the FauxProof website.
Why this page exists
A Timestamp Content Record lists item names, types, and content fingerprints. It does not contain the protected text or file contents.
Anyone with the record, the original work, and a SHA-256 tool can repeat the fingerprint calculation without signing in or contacting FauxProof.
This page has a stable versioned URL. Timestamp Content Records under fauxproof-record/1 point here.
What the record shows
- FauxProof system time - when FauxProof created the record.
- Content fingerprints - the SHA-256 values FauxProof recorded for the listed items at that time.
It does not prove authorship or ownership. The time is FauxProof's own application record and was not confirmed by an outside timestamp service.
What you need
- The Timestamp Content Record PDF.
- The original content being checked.
- Any tool that calculates SHA-256.
Step 1 - fingerprint each item
For every item listed in the record, calculate SHA-256 over its exact bytes and write the result as lowercase hexadecimal.
sha256sum "saved-work.txt"For text, use the exact UTF-8 bytes. Do not add a trailing newline, normalize the text, or change the encoding.
Compare the complete 64-character result with the fingerprint printed under that item.
Step 2 - calculate the full record fingerprint
Take every full lowercase item fingerprint in the order printed. Put one LF newline byte (0x0A) after every fingerprint, including the last one. Calculate SHA-256 over that complete input.
<item 1 fingerprint><LF>
<item 2 fingerprint><LF>
...
<item N fingerprint><LF>Compare the result, character for character, with FULL RECORD FINGERPRINT on the PDF.
The order matters. The newline after the final fingerprint is required.
Step 3 - understand the short fingerprint
The short hyphenated code is the first 16 characters of the full record fingerprint, shown in uppercase groups of four. It is only a convenient reference.
Do not use the short code alone to confirm a match.
How to understand the result
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Matches | The checked content bytes produce the same fingerprint sequence printed in the record. |
| Does not match | At least one checked item differs from the recorded list. |
A mismatch may simply mean someone continued working.
What this does not prove
- It does not prove who created or owns the work.
- It does not prove the PDF itself came from FauxProof.
- It does not independently confirm the date or time.
Algorithm summary
item_fingerprint = SHA256(item_bytes) -> lowercase hex
combined = SHA256(concat(fp_i + LF for every item, including final LF))
short = uppercase(combined[0:16]) in groups of four- Hash: SHA-256
- Item encoding: exact bytes; text uses exact UTF-8
- Separator: one LF byte after every full item fingerprint
- Order: the order printed in the record
Stability commitment
fauxproof-record/1 is frozen. If the method changes, FauxProof will publish a new version. Existing records will keep the version printed in their footer.