How to Validate a PDF Signature
1. Upload PDF
Select the digitally signed PDF you want to validate.
2. Add Certificate (Optional)
Upload the signer's public certificate for a more thorough check.
3. Validate Signature
Our tool checks for the presence and basic validity of the signature.
4. View Report
Get an instant report on the signature status of your document.
Key Features
- Signature Detection: Quickly determines if a PDF contains one or more digital signature fields.
- Basic Integrity Check: Confirms that the document has not been altered since the signature was applied.
- Certificate Validation: If you provide a public certificate, the tool can check if it matches the one used for signing.
- Clear Reporting: Provides a simple, easy-to-understand report on the validation status.
- Secure & Private: All validation happens in your browser. Your sensitive documents are never uploaded.
Use Cases
Before acting on a signed contract, run it through the validator to get a preliminary check that it has been digitally signed.
Check the authenticity of official documents like permits, certificates, or court orders that purport to be digitally signed.
Quickly verify that a batch of internal documents, such as expense reports or approvals, have been properly signed as required.
Tips & Best Practices
Request the Public Certificate
For a higher level of assurance, ask the sender to also provide their public certificate file (.cer, .pem). Uploading it along with the PDF allows for a more robust check.
Understand the Limitations
This tool provides a basic validation. For high-stakes legal or financial documents, always use a dedicated desktop application like Adobe Acrobat, which can check certificate revocation lists (CRLs).
Frequently Asked Questions
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