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Last updated on
Sep 23, 2025
Learn how to certify PDFs in Adobe Acrobat for authentication and document integrity.
Certifying PDFs allows you to approve the content and specify which changes are permissible after certification. It is used for official documents, contracts, or any PDF where you need to ensure integrity and control future modifications.
Certificate signatures can only be applied to PDFs that have no other signatures. These signatures can be visible or invisible, and a certify ribbon icon in the Signature Panel confirms a valid certifying signature. Adding a certifying digital signature requires a digital ID.
Note
Before you certify a PDF, remove the content that may compromise document security, such as JavaScripts, actions, or embedded media.
Select Certify (visible signatures) to certify with a visible digital signature.
Note
To certify the document without a visible signature, select Certify (invisible signatures) and follow through the workflow.
In the dialog box that opens, select Drag New Signature Rectangle.
In the Save as Certified Document dialog box, select OK and then use the dotted cursor to draw a rectangle where you want the signature to appear.
In the Sign with a Digital ID dialog box, select the Digital ID you want to use to certify the document and select Continue.
In the Sign as <username> dialog box:
- Verify your signature details.
- From the Permitted Actions After Certifying dropdown menu, select an appropriate option.
- Enter your digital ID password.
Select Review to check warnings for document security.
Select Sign.
When prompted to save the signed document, select a desired location and then select Save.
The signature is added to the document, and a signature panel with a certified badge appears at the top.
Tip
To retain the original unsigned document, save the certified PDF using a different filename than the original file.
