Import certificates from emails

Last updated on Aug 16, 2025

Learn how to securely import digital certificates sent to you via email in Adobe Acrobat.

When a contact emails you their digital certificate, it appears as an attachment. You can import this certificate to add the sender to your list of trusted identities for secure document workflows.

Open the email attachment containing the certificate.

In the dialog box that opens, select Set Contact Trust.

Dialog box prompting user to add sender's contact certificate to trusted identities using the Set Contact Trust button.
Select Set Contact Trust to add the sender’s certificate to your trusted identities for secure validation and encryption.

Select the contact and then select Import.

If prompted, enter the required password and select Next.

Select OK to view the import details, then select OK again.

Choose the location to store the certificate and select Next.

Select Finish.

In the Trust settings dialog, select the appropriate options:

  • Select Use this certificate as a trusted root only if needed to validate a digital signature. This option disables revocation checking and should be used with caution.
  • To enable certified documents to perform additional actions, select Certified documents and choose from the following:
    • Dynamic content: Allows access to external files and links.
    • Embedded high privilege JavaScript: Enables embedded scripts to run.
    • Privileged system operations: Grants access to features like networking, printing, and file operations.

The imported certificate is now added to your list of trusted identities. You can use it to encrypt documents for that contact or verify their digital signatures.