ACORD 26 is the Policy Certification Log. An agency can use it to track certificates and evidence issued for one insured, including who received each document, the line of business, the insurer, and the certification expiration month. It is an internal recordkeeping sheet. It is not a certificate, evidence of insurance, or part of the policy.
What information does ACORD 26 track?
The 2002/01 form has space for the agency and insured, insurers affording coverage, and their policy periods. Its certification table records the issue date, log identifier, certificate or evidence holder, insurer reference, line of business, and selected tracking indicators.[1] Those fields help an agency answer a practical question: which evidence documents have already been produced for this account, and when should they be reviewed again?
Is ACORD 26 a certificate of insurance?
No. A recipient who needs proof should receive the appropriate certificate or evidence form. ACORD 25 is commonly used for liability insurance, while ACORD 27 or ACORD 28 may be used for property evidence. ACORD 26 stays behind as the agency's tracking record. A row on the log cannot add an insured, change a limit, or promise cancellation notice.
What should an agency verify?
Match each log entry to the issued document and current policy record. Check the holder's legal name, the covered line, the insurer, the policy period, and any expiration or renewal date. If the policy changes, update the operational record according to the agency's process and issue a corrected document when appropriate. Never treat the log as the source for policy terms.
Where can you obtain ACORD 26?
The ACORD Forms Index identifies ACORD 26 as the Policy Certification Log and lists the 2002/01 edition.[2] Eligible organizations can obtain licensed forms through ACORD's Forms Portal.[3]
Frequently asked questions
Who normally uses ACORD 26?
Insurance agencies and other organizations that manage certificates may use it as an account-level tracking sheet. It is generally not the document sent to a landlord, lender, or project owner as proof.
Does an ACORD 26 entry confirm additional insured status?
No. Additional insured status depends on the issued policy or endorsement. The log can record that a related document was produced, but it cannot create policy rights.
The Bottom Line
ACORD 26 is an administrative index of certificate activity. Reconcile it with the current policy and retain the actual issued evidence documents. Use the policy and endorsements to decide what coverage exists.
This guide is educational and describes ACORD 26 in original language. Menlo Insurance Services is not affiliated with ACORD Corporation. The insurer's documents control.
References
- 1.ACORD form archive. “ACORD 26 (2002/01) Policy Certification Log.” Accessed September 2026. https://www2.imms.com/members/3rdParty/ACORDpdf/26.pdf ↩
- 2.ACORD. “ACORD Forms Index, revision 5/08/2024.” Accessed September 2026. https://acords.com/pdf/ACORD_Forms_Index.pdf ↩
- 3.ACORD. “Forms Portal.” Accessed September 2026. https://formsportal.acord.org/Home ↩