An award certificate has many uses. The award certificate wording used on the certificate can vary based on the situation. Each of our free certificate templates comes with sample wording however, you might want to replace the sample text with your own text.

The following certificate wording text can help you write a certificate of appreciation, a certificate of recognition, and a certificate of completion.

Certificate of Appreciation Wording

The most commonly used format for a certificate of appreciation has the wording “Certificate of Appreciation” at the top of the certificate and centered on the page. Below this, the standard format includes “Presented to” with the recipient’s name, followed by “Presented by” and the name of the certificate issuer. The date and signature go at the bottom.

Generic Certificate of Appreciation

This type of certificate is a go-to document that can work in nearly any type of situation where you want to recognize what someone has accomplished. It can be used for schools, sports, or in a professional setting. The generic certificate of achievement should list the name of the recipient along with the name of the person or organization awarding the certificate. It should also have a brief explanation of why the certificate is being awarded. It’s also important to include the date of the award. Many people also like to add the location of the award, especially if the certificate is being presented at a special event.

Certificate of Appreciation for Employees

A certificate of appreciation for employees is similar to the generic certificate. But because you’re using it to award employees for specific goals met on the job, it gives you the option to customize the certificate for your particular business. You can add a background that represents your company’s colors or motto. This type of certificate also allows you to customize the text based on the specific achievement of the employee.

Certificate of Appreciation Wording for Employees

• This award certificate is presented to [Recipent’s Name] with great appreciation for your extraordinary service and dedication at [Company Name].
• Presented to [Recipent’s Name] for her valuable contribution toward the successful implementation of our company’s excellent quality assurance programs.
• Awarded to [Recipent’s Name] in appreciation of the outstanding service rendered as field consultant for our company’s corporate planning division.
• This certificate is awarded to [Recipent’s Name] in recognition of valuable service in the Legal Department. We sincerely appreciate your contribution to our company’s success.
• Presented to [Recipent’s Name] in recognition of his outstanding performance and dedicated service while serving as president of the Marketing Division. Your valued contribution to our company is a constant source of pride.
• Presented to [Recipent’s Name] in appreciation of your diligence, dedication, and efforts.

Certificate of Appreciation Wording for Volunteers

• Awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for volunteering to serve as a community developer with [Organization Name]. Your time and effort is much appreciated.
• This certificate is awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for your dedication, hard work, and efforts in [Name of the program].
• Awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for dedicating time and effort as a [Position] with [Company Name]. We will always appreciate your input.
• This certificate is awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for serving as a volunteer in the capacity of [position title]. We appreciate your dedication, hard work, and efforts.
• Awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for outstanding efforts in the volunteer program.

Certificate of Recognition Wording

The certificate of recognition has a similar format to the certificate of appreciation. Important items like the names and the reason for the certificate are centered on the page and in large print. The date and signature of the issuing party are in smaller print at the bottom.

Sample Certificate of Recognition Text

Here are some recognition award wording examples:

• This is to certify that [Recipent’s Name] has shown exceptional performance in our training program. The skills and knowledge she demonstrated are an important contribution to the success of our program.
• Proudly awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for being a member of the board of directors of [company name] for ten years now. Your efforts are highly appreciated.
• This is to certify that [Recipent’s Name] has shown exceptional performance in our PR training program. We wish you all the best for a successful career ahead!
• This certificate has been awarded to [name] for exceptional performance in the customer service department. The skills and knowledge she demonstrated are an important contribution to the success of our company.
• Presented to [Recipent’s Name] for showing outstanding accomplishments in our sales department.

Generic Certificate of Recognition

A generic certificate of recognition can be used for school, work, or any situation where you want to recognize someone’s efforts. It provides a tangible document to show what the recipient did to be recognized. The document should include the reason for the award, along with the names of the recipient and the person issuing the award.

Student certificate of recognition

A student certificate of recognition has a similar design to the generic option but is specially designed to recognize academic achievements. It includes all the information previously mentioned, but may also include the grade of the student, the subject in which they are being recognized, and other personal information specific to the circumstances.

Sample award certificate wording:

• This certificate is awarded to [Student Name] for outstanding performance in class.
• This certificate is presented to [Student Name] for commendable and consistent progress in all his/her classes.
• The principal, teachers, and the students of [School Name] are proud to present this certificate to [Student Name] for excellent performance in all her subjects.
• Awarded to [Student Name] by [School Name], in recognition of outstanding performance and participation in sports during the year 2022-2023
• Presented to [Student Name] for the commendable and consistent progress in all her/his classes.

Certificate of Completion

A certificate of completion is designed to provide proof that someone completed a course, a program, or an event. These certificates can be used in a professional setting, for school courses, or for other uses. They have the same basic information with the reason for the certificate at the top, usually in bold and noticeable font, with the names of the recipient and issuer centered underneath.

Generic certificate of completion

A generic certificate of completion shows that the recipient completed an assigned task, class, course, or another event. The generic certificate can be used in many situations and it allows you to customize the document based on the event. These certificates are simple to make and can include as little or as much information based on the circumstances. A certificate of completion should include the date the task was completed along with some basic info on what was accomplished.

Certificate of Achievement Wording

Certificate of Achievement Wording Examples

• This certificate is proudly presented to [name] for an honorable achievement in [title]
• This is to certify that [Recipent’s Name] has performed exemplary in [achievement or task title].
• Our organization is honored to award [Recipent’s Name] full certification as an [title].
• Proudly awarded to [Recipent’s Name] in recognition of the outstanding performance and [title] achievement throughout the [title] period.
• This certificate has been presented to [Recipent’s Name] for becoming the first [title]. We thank him/her a lot for the contribution he/she has made to make our cause successful and wish him/her the best in his/her future endeavors.
• This award is presented to [Recipent’s Name] for outstanding achievement in [title] during the [event name] held at [place] from [date] to [date].

Sample Winner Certificate Text

• This certificate has been awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for sailing above the competition to become the winner in [competition name] held at [place] on [date].
• This is to certify that [Recipent’s Name] took the winning position during the [contest name] held at [place]
• This certificate is awarded to [Recipent’s Name] for winning the [contest name] that took place at [location] from [date] – [date].
• This certificate has been presented to [name] for taking first place during the [year] [competition name] held at [location].
• This certificate is presented to [Recipent’s Name] in recognition of his/her outstanding effort in [competition name].

How to Change the Award Wording

When you open our free certificate maker, you will see sample award wording for each template. To change the award wording, double-click on the text and replace it with your own text.