Certify and timestamp change logs as PDFs and manage the agreements so auditors can verify approvals and reduce compli…
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 special type of digital signature. It can only be the very first signature on a document. When you certify a PDF, you are stating that the content is final and approved, and it locks the document from further changes that would invalidate the certification. Other digital signatures can be added to a document that already has content, and they might allow for more changes after signing.
Certifying your change log PDF provides a high level of trust and integrity. It proves that the document has not been altered since you certified it, which is crucial for official records, audit trails, or legal documents. It acts as an official seal, giving recipients confidence in the document's authenticity and completeness.
A Digital ID is a file on your computer or a hardware token that contains your unique private key and public certificate. The private key is used to create your digital signature, and the public certificate allows others to verify that the signature is truly yours and that the document hasn't been changed. It's important for certifying PDFs because it links your identity to the document, ensuring non-repudiation and document integrity.
No, you cannot certify a PDF if it already has any other type of digital signature. The 'Certify' feature in Acrobat is designed to be the very first and only signature on a document. If your change log is already signed, you would need to revert to an unsigned version to use the certification feature.