Prior to the establishment of the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners, Inc, (ABFDE) in 1977, the need to identify qualified forensic scientists capable of providing essential professional services was long recognized. Within its mandate, the Board provides a program of certification in forensic document examination with the dual purpose of serving the public interest and promoting the advancement of forensic science. In purpose, function, and organization, therefore, the ABFDE is analogous to the certifying boards in other scientific fields. The ABFDE is recognized by, and was originally sponsored by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

A non-profit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia, the Board's sponsors are:

• American Society of Questioned Document Examiners
• Canadian Society of Forensic Science 
• Southeastern Association of Forensic Document Examiners
• Southwestern Association of Forensic Document Examiners 

ABFDE is also recognized by:

• The International Association for Identification
• The Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Science

The ABFDE is the only certifying body that can claim such sponsorship and, as such, is not to be confused with any other organization having a similar sounding name.

The Board is composed of elected officers and directors who serve staggered terms, and a Professional Review Committee which upholds the ethical and professional rules of conduct that are set out in the Bylaws.