Certification is the process of verifying that a business is owned and managed by minority individuals or women.  The documentation required will depend on the structure of the company.  For example: The documentation required from a company that has incorporated will differ from the documentation required by a partnership or sole proprietorship; and also, the information required from a distributor will differ from that required by a manufacturer.  In general, an agency will request proof of ethnicity, all professional and business licenses, resumes, financial statements, tax documents, stock certificates/proof of capital investment.  An on site visit to the company may also be required.

Most agencies recognize "minority group members" as US citizens who are African-American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American and Asian-Indian American.  Government agencies certify woman owned businesses as well.