Do we need to send certificates of awards and ECs?

<p>Do we have to send the certificates of the honors and awards we received to the colleges?
I consulted several websites and got to know its not necessary/recommended. But how do the colleges/uni authenticate them? If not then anybody can lie about it, ain't it?</p>

<p>I guess they can be sure about your ECAs by contacting your high-school.</p>

<p>I am going to link a flikr page in the additional info section</p>

<p>What I meant was that in the additional info part of the common app I will put a link to a flikr page which has all the scans of newspaper clippings and certificates</p>

<p>I contacted about 10 colleges and they said its not necessary unless it would have a significant effect on your application. For the awards, high school counselor or principal would verify it.</p>