The process of determining the non-monetary qualities of property that contribute to value is an evaluation . An appraisal also includes the process of identification which is defined as the scientific determination of quantitative or intrinsic elements. Expanding the process of identification is the process of authentication which is defined as the scholarly determination of qualitative or extrinsic opinions. To authenticate is to prove or verify an item as genuine or to have undisputed origin. For example, a rare oil painting may be authenticated by a museum before being appraised.
Identification is just one step in the process of authentication.
Authentication is not part of the appraisal process. An appraisal includes identification and valuation. Your insurance company or the IRS may require what is referred to as a qualified appraisal. This is an appraisal based on firsthand inspection and in-depth research by a qualified appraiser . Depending on your intended use and the results of your online appraisal, you may wish to arrange for the appraiser to provide a qualified appraisal.