How do I add a digital signature to my PDF change log?

Open your PDF in Acrobat. Go to 'Tools' > 'Certificates'. Click 'Sign Digitally' or 'Certify' and follow the prompts to select your Digital ID. Place your signature on the document and save it.

What is the difference between 'Certify' and other digital signatures in Acrobat?

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.

Why would I want to certify my change log PDF?

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.

What is a Digital ID and why is it important for certifying PDFs?

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.

If my change log PDF already has a simple digital signature, can I still certify it?

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.

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Sign PDFs programmatically using Acrobat API

Certify and timestamp change logs as PDFs and manage the agreements so auditors can verify approvals and reduce compli…

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AExecute — “help me do it”Show me how to sign a PDF using the Acrobat API...…+

Show me how to sign a PDF using the Acrobat API, including how to send the file, add the signature, and get the signed PDF back. Use [language or platform] in your example.

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How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF file you want to sign in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Go to the toolbar and select Tools.
3
In the Tools center, find and select Certify and Sign.
4
In the toolbar, click Sign.
5
Use your cursor to draw the area in the document where you want the signature to appear.
6
In the dialog that appears, select your digital ID from the list and click Continue.
7
If prompted, enter your digital ID password and click Sign.
8
Choose a location to save the newly signed PDF, enter a filename, and click Save.

In the appWith the API

You can preview how your signature will look before you finalize and save the signed document.

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

Glossary

words on this page

APIA way for different software to talk to each other automatically.ExampleAn online store uses an API to automatically send shipping details to a delivery service.

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.

AuthenticationHow you prove who you are when using an online service.ExampleEntering your password and a code from your phone provides authentication to access your bank account.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Certify and timestamp change logs to meet our compliance requirements and reduce audit findings.

FAQ

about this task

To sign a PDF with the Acrobat API, you send your PDF file to the API endpoint, tell it where to place the signature, and then get back the signed PDF. You need to set up an Adobe developer account and use authentication keys in your code.

A digital signature uses encryption to prove who signed and that the document was not changed, while an e-signature can be as simple as typing or drawing your name. The Acrobat API supports both, but digital signatures are more secure.

Yes, you can write code to loop through your PDF files and send each one to the Acrobat API for signing. This is useful for handling many documents automatically.

Authentication makes sure only people or programs with permission can use the API. This helps protect your documents and keeps your signing process secure.

The Acrobat API is easy to use, works in the cloud, and is backed by Adobe's security. Open-source libraries may be free but could need more setup and might not have the same legal acceptance for signatures.

Sign PDFs programmatically using Acrobat API

When to use it

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How to do it

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