Design and save an audit trail and retention setting for map deliverables: attach version notes to [document=MapArchiv…
Open the PDF document you need to audit in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Go to the File menu and select Properties.
In the Properties dialog, click the Description tab to review basic document metadata including creation and modification dates.
Switch to the Security tab to check if the document has been signed or encrypted.
If digital signatures are present, click Signatures panel (or open the Certificates panel from the right-hand pane) to view the signature details, including signer identity and signing time.
To audit document edits, open the View menu, select Show/Hide, then Navigation Panes, and choose Audit Trail or History if available (feature may depend on document type and Acrobat version).
NoteStandard PDFs do not record a full edit history unless tracking was enabled at creation or via Document Cloud/Adobe Sign.
For access tracking, check if the document is stored in Adobe Document Cloud or Adobe Acrobat Sign; if so, log into the respective admin console and review the access and activity logs for the document.
Best practiceEnterprise admins can export detailed audit logs from Adobe Document Cloud for compliance reporting, as recommended by industry best practices.
Export or save the audit data (such as signature details, access logs, and metadata) as required for your compliance records.
You can view and export signature and access history from the Signatures panel and, if using Document Cloud, from the admin console.
Adobe PDF Services API and Adobe Sign API can retrieve audit trails and signature history for documents stored in Document Cloud or processed via Adobe Sign.
| Type | Proof Level | Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Signature | Shows intent to sign, limited proof. | Simple electronic mark. |
| Digital Signature | Strong proof, prevents denial of signing. | Uses PKI (Public Key Infrastructure). |
Acrobat Sign helps ensure legal validity by following laws like the US ESIGN Act and EU eIDAS. It creates a detailed audit trail, also called a Certificate of Completion. This trail records important information like the signer's identity, timestamps, and device details. This evidence is attached to your signed PDF, making it strong proof in court. This process makes e-signatures as legally binding as handwritten ones.
An audit trail is very important because it provides court-ready evidence for your signed documents. It records key details like who signed, when they signed, and from what device. This information proves the signature's authenticity and that the document has not been changed. Without a clear audit trail, it can be hard to prove the legal validity of an electronic signature if there is a dispute.
For the highest level of legal assurance in the EU, you should use a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) as defined by eIDAS. QES is legally equal to a wet signature. Acrobat Sign supports different signature levels, including those that meet eIDAS standards. You would need to choose the appropriate signature level when setting up your document for signing to ensure it meets the QES requirements for your specific legal needs.