Certify the final record drawings PDF as the official issued set, apply a certification stamp and a locked form field …
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 state that you approve its content and that no changes should be made after certification. It locks the document more securely. A regular digital signature just confirms who signed it and that it hasn't changed since that signature. Certifying can only be done once, as the first signature on a document.
The certification signature is meant to be the first and most important signature on a document. It sets the baseline for the document's integrity and content approval. If other signatures were present, it would be unclear if the certifier approved those previous changes or just the original document. This rule ensures the certification is clear and holds the highest authority for the document's state.
When you certify a PDF, you can choose what types of changes are allowed after certification. You might allow no changes, or only specific types like filling out form fields or adding comments. Acrobat will show a warning if someone tries to make changes that are not allowed. This helps protect the document's integrity while still allowing for necessary interactions, depending on your chosen settings.
The PDF Electronic Seal API is a tool for organizations to apply official seals to documents automatically. This is different from a person certifying a PDF with their personal Digital ID. The API allows for applying seals that meet standards like eIDAS, often used for official company documents. While both add a form of digital trust, the API is for organizational seals, and certifying is typically for an individual's approval and integrity statement.