You, as the author of the document, certify it to indicate you attest to its content and can also control the types of changes other people can make while retaining its certified status. For example, if you want to ensure the integrity of a completed report, you can certify the document before distribution, allowing recipients to fill out form fields and add comments only. Then, whoever receives the reports can do nothing but fill the form and add comments, or the document loses its certified status. 

A certifying signature must be the first signature in the document. The Certify document option is unavailable when the PDF file already contains other signatures. In addition, you can choose to apply a visible or an invisible certifying signature. When the certifying signature is valid, an orange ribbon icon  appears at the upper-left corner of the digital signature field as well as in the Signatures panel.

To certify a document

  1. Open a PDF file and choose Security > Sign/Certify > Sign/Certify Document.

  2. Select one of the following as needed:

    • Select Certify Document to apply a visible certifying signature.

    • Select Certify Document Invisibly to apply an invisible certifying signature. If you choose this option, your signature appears only in the Signatures panel with details of allowed actions. (Security > Sign/Certify > Signatures Pane). 

  1. If you are certifying with a visible signature, you can either drag to create a signature field or place the signature in an existing signature field. To place a signature in an existing signature field, right-click on the field with the Hand tool and select Certify Document.

  2. In the Certify Document dialog box, select a digital ID from the Name drop-down menu or click Add… to create a new digital ID. Then type the correct password in the Confirm Password field (if required), and specify the permitted changes others can make from the Allowed Actions drop-down menu. Click Next.

    • Allow no changes. Select this to disable all tools that can be used to change the document, such as editing, form filling, commenting, signing, and more.

    • Allow form filling only. All tools that can be used to change the document are unavailable except for form filling. It is helpful when you want to collect information without getting unwanted changes.

    • Allow comments and form filling. It allows only commenting and form filling (including digital signature field filling). For example, other users might need to apply their digital signatures or leave comments during a document review.

  3. Select a desired appearance for the signature and then click Save.

  4. Save the PDF using a different file name to avoid signing the original document.


A visible certifying signature with details including allowed actions and other details listed in the Signatures panel

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