Why choose certificate signatures?

You can sign a PDF with a certificate-based digital ID, which is similar to a traditional handwritten signature but has the power to identify who signs the document and when it was signed. It can also easily verify and inform recipients whether the document has been modified after the document is signed.

What can certificate IDs do?

Using certificate IDs, you can 1) digitally sign PDF files, 2) validate documents you receive from others, and 3) set permissions for recipients.

  • Sign documents. You can certify a document using certificate IDs so that recipients can make sure whether you are the person who signs the document.

  • Validate documents. After receiving the signed document, you can validate all signatures to confirm the identity of each person who signs the document. To see if the document has been altered in transit, you can track all previously signed versions of a document to check for any changes made to the document. 

  • Set permissions for recipients. You can certify a document and make certain functions available to the recipients. Also, using certificates, you can encrypt documents and restrict the use of certain functions, such as printing, copying, and editing.

Signature types

There are two types of signatures you can apply to PDF files, depending on the intent of the signer and the author. You can have approval signatures, certification signatures, or both on your document. See the following for details:

  • Approval signature. An approval signature is a digital signature which indicates your approval. You can use digital signatures to sign a PDF file multiple times and by different persons.

  • Certification signature. A certification signature must be the first signature applied to a document. You can no longer certify the document once there is an existing certification signature. You can also restrict the types of changes other people can make to the document.

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