Certify and apply a final digital signature to the operations [document=manual PDF] so it becomes the authoritative pr…
Open the PDF document you want to certify in Adobe Acrobat.
Go to the Tools pane and select Protect.
In the Protect toolbar, click Certify with Visible Signature or Certify with Invisible Signature depending on your preference.
Drag to draw the signature field on the page if prompted for a visible signature, or confirm placement for an invisible signature.
In the dialog that appears, select your digital ID from the list or add a new one if necessary.
Set the Permissions options to control what changes are allowed after certifying (e.g., no changes, form fill-in only, or comments only).
Optionally, enter a reason for certifying the document.
Click Sign to apply the certifying signature.
Save the PDF when prompted to complete the certification process.
Best practiceIf you need to allow others to fill forms or add comments after certification, choose the appropriate restriction option before signing.
After certifying a PDF, Acrobat will display a blue ribbon in the document’s toolbar to indicate the document is certified and show any allowed changes.
This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.
A regular digital signature confirms who signed the document and that it hasn't changed since. Certifying a PDF does this too, but it also locks the document, preventing further changes or signatures. Only the first signer can certify a PDF. It acts as an official approval of the document's content, often by its creator or owner.
The Adobe PDF Electronic Seal API is for organizations that need to automate the process of applying seals to many documents. It's distinct from a person's e-signature. This API allows for applying simple, advanced (AdES), or qualified (QES) seals, which are eIDAS-compliant. It's useful for large-scale operations requiring official organizational approval, rather than individual certification.
A Digital ID is like your electronic passport for signing documents. It contains a private key, which you use to sign, and a public key or certificate, which others use to verify your signature. It's important because it proves your identity and ensures that the document has not been changed after you signed it, making your signature legally valid.
When you certify a PDF, you choose what changes are allowed. You can allow form filling and commenting, or you can lock the document completely. If you allow comments and form filling, others can still interact with those parts of the document without invalidating your certification. This means the core content you certified remains unchanged.