Review [document=FinalCompositions_ParcelBatch.pdf] and add a certification header indicating it meets internal QA and…
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 digital ID is your personal electronic identity, containing a private key for signing and a public key for verification. A certified digital signature is the act of using your digital ID to sign a PDF. When you certify a PDF, you are using your digital ID to state that the document's content is approved and has not been altered since you signed it. The digital ID is the tool, and the certified digital signature is the action and outcome.
The PDF Electronic Seal API is designed for applying an organizational seal, not a personal e-signature. You would use it when an entire organization needs to certify a document, rather than an individual. This API allows for automated, high-volume sealing of documents with third-party certificate credentials and a seal image, ensuring eIDAS compliance for corporate-level verification and trust.
No, you cannot. A PDF can only be certified if it does not have any other signatures on it. The 'Certify' feature is meant to be the first and only signature to lock the document's content.
The 'certify-ribbon icon' on a PDF means that the document has been certified. This icon shows that a digital signature has been applied to the document, and its content is protected from changes since that certification. It indicates a high level of trust and integrity for the document.