“Is there a way you could/would accept?” [duplicate]

Solution 1:

I think Is there a way you could? is asking a factual question; do the regulations allow for expired certificates in any circumstances, and if so when? This unfortunately invites the response 'Sorry, rule 7 requires a valid certificate'.

If you already know that, but you are pleading for a minor indulgence, what's wrong with please accept my expired certificate in the circumstances, which allows you to bring in all the reasons why they should be sympathetic?

Solution 2:

I think it is fine.

I would write "would". To steal and potentially misapply from GrammerCop [sic]:

Would is definite, but conditional--it will happen if certain conditions are met. Could is a possibility--it may or may not come to be.