How do I validate a digital signature in Adobe Acrobat?

Open your PDF document in Acrobat. Click on the digital signature within the document. A Signature Panel will open on the left. It will show the validation status (e.g., 'Signature is Valid'). Click 'Signature Properties' for more details about the signer and certificate.

If I get a document with an unknown digital signature, what should I do?

Click on the signature to see its status in the Signature Panel. Check the signer's certificate details to see who signed it. If the signer is unknown or untrusted, you may need to contact the sender to confirm its origin and validity. You can choose to add the signer's certificate to your list of trusted identities if you verify they are legitimate.

What is the difference between a simple electronic signature and a digital signature?

Feature Electronic Signature Digital Signature. Security Level Lower Higher Identity Verification Basic (e.g., image of signature) Strong (cryptography, certificates) Tamper Detection No built-in detection Detects any changes after signing Legal Weight Varies by region and context Stronger, often legally binding Technology Simple image or typed name Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Verify Signed Clauses in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Review the customer's signed version that is in dispute, compare it to the executed master…+

Review the customer's signed version that is in dispute, compare it to the executed master copy, and confirm which clauses were agreed and signed before I escalate to legal.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”Provide a dispute-ready comparison: highlight clauses where signatures or initials differ,…+

Provide a dispute-ready comparison: highlight clauses where signatures or initials differ, extract the exact redlines and timestamps, note any unsigned amendments, and summarize which changes materially affect obligations so legal can assess liability quickly.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF document containing the digital signature you want to validate.
2
Locate the signature field or signature panel in the document.
3
Click directly on the digital signature or open the signature panel and select the signature you wish to validate.
4
In the signature details popup, click Signature Properties.
5
In the Signature Properties dialog, click Show Certificate to review certificate details if needed.
6
Close the certificate window, then click Validate Signature in the Signature Properties dialog.
Best practiceIf the signature status shows as 'Unknown' or 'Not Valid', check if the signer's certificate needs to be added to your list of trusted identities.
7
Review the validation result displayed in the Signature Properties dialog.

In the appWith the API

You can view detailed information about the signature's validity and certificate by clicking on the signature and opening Signature Properties.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

Digital SignatureAn electronic mark on a document that proves who signed it and that the document has not changed.ExampleA digital signature on your tax return confirms you submitted it and that its contents are unchanged.

CertificateAn electronic file that proves a person's or organization's identity online, like a digital ID card.ExampleYour certificate confirms your identity when you access secure online government services.

Trusted IdentitySomeone whose digital signature certificate you have chosen to trust in your software.ExampleYou add your manager's digital signature certificate as a trusted identity in your document software.

Who does this

3 roles

Contract ManagerLegal AssistantCompliance Officer

FAQ

about this task

Open your PDF document in Acrobat.
Click on the digital signature within the document.
A Signature Panel will open on the left. It will show the validation status (e.g., 'Signature is Valid').
Click 'Signature Properties' for more details about the signer and certificate.

When a digital signature is 'valid', it means two main things: first, the document has not been changed since it was signed. Second, the identity of the signer, confirmed by their digital certificate, is trusted by your system. Acrobat checks these points using the certificate and a timestamp server to ensure the signature is authentic and reliable.

Verifying certificate information is crucial because it tells you who signed the document and if you can trust that person's identity. The certificate links the signature to a specific individual or organization. If the certificate is not trusted, or if its information is unclear, you cannot be sure the document was signed by the person it claims to be, which could lead to security risks or legal problems.

Click on the signature to see its status in the Signature Panel.
Check the signer's certificate details to see who signed it.
If the signer is unknown or untrusted, you may need to contact the sender to confirm its origin and validity.
You can choose to add the signer's certificate to your list of trusted identities if you verify they are legitimate.

Feature	Electronic Signature	Digital Signature
Security Level	Lower	Higher
Identity Verification	Basic (e.g., image of signature)	Strong (cryptography, certificates)
Tamper Detection	No built-in detection	Detects any changes after signing
Legal Weight	Varies by region and context	Stronger, often legally binding
Technology	Simple image or typed name	Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Verify Signed Clauses

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help