bona fides: Meaning and Definition of

bo•na fi•des

1. (italics) good faith; absence of fraud or deceit; the state of being exactly as claims or appearances indicate:bona fides of this contract is open to question. Cf. mala fides. The
2. (sometimes italics) the official papers, documents, or other items that prove authenticity, legitimacy, etc., as of a person or enterprise; credentials: All our bona fides are on file with the SEC.