Certify the final valuation report PDF as the official record, add a header with "Final Certified Valuation" and [date…
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.
Certifying a PDF is a stronger action than a regular digital signature. When you certify a PDF, you declare the document's content is final and authentic from that point. It also prevents others from adding more signatures later. A regular digital signature simply confirms who signed it and that the document hasn't changed since that signature was applied.
Certifying an official record is important because it adds a high level of trust and security. It shows that the document is original, has not been changed since it was certified, and comes from a trusted source. This helps prevent fraud and ensures the document's integrity for legal or official purposes.
No, you cannot certify a PDF that already has other signatures. The 'Certify PDF' feature only works on documents that have no signatures on them yet. You need to make sure the document is unsigned before you try to certify it.
A digital ID is your personal electronic proof of identity, like a digital passport. When you certify a PDF, your digital ID is used to create the certified signature. It contains a private key that signs the document and a public key that others use to verify your signature, ensuring the document's authenticity.