A method of confirming a certificate by using a management computer that
issues the certificate is disclosed. The management computer is coupled
to an application terminal for applying for issuance of the certificate
and to a confirmation terminal for reading a display code printed on the
certificate. The management computer performs the steps of: specifying
contents to be certified based on an application item received from the
application terminal; issuing the certificate by calculating a compressed
value by substituting data related to the contents to be certified into a
one-way function, and by generating print data for printing a display
code including the compressed value and the contents to be certified;
recording an issuance history of the certificate; and when data of a
compressed value are received from the confirmation terminal that reads
the display code on the certificate, notifying the confirmation terminal
of authenticity of the certificate based on a result of comparison
between the received compressed value and the compressed value calculated
in the step of issuing the certificate.