Can You Edit a Digitally Signed PDF by Saving or Printing It?
Question details
The user wants to know if it is possible to edit a digitally signed or certified PDF by either saving a new copy or using the print to PDF function.
- Product
- PDF / Adobe Acrobat 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to modify a document that has been locked or secured with a digital signature or certification without losing the signature's validity.
- Observed behavior
- Saving a new copy sometimes removes the signature entirely. Printing the document to PDF creates an editable file that visually displays the signature, but the cryptographic data is lost.
Before attempting to edit a signed PDF, verify if you have permission from the original signer to modify the document, as any alterations to a certified document will deliberately invalidate its digital signature to prevent tampering.
Use 'Print to PDF' to Create an Editable Flattened Copy
Printing a signed document to a new PDF file flattens the contents, turning the cryptographic signature into a standard visual image so you can add edits.
When you use the 'Print to PDF' feature, you are essentially taking a digital picture of the original document. This process creates a brand-new file where the visual appearance of the signature is retained as artwork.
However, because the document is now an image-based file, the actual digital signature and its underlying cryptographic data are stripped away. The signature cannot be validated in the new file, but the document itself becomes editable.
Open your digitally signed PDF document in your preferred PDF viewer.
Click on 'File' in the top menu bar and select 'Print', or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac).
In the printer selection dropdown, choose a virtual PDF printer such as 'Microsoft Print to PDF' or 'WPS PDF'.
Click the 'Print' button. A prompt will appear asking you to choose a save location and name for the new, flattened PDF file.
Clear the Signature or Request an Unsigned Copy
If you need to make legitimate edits while retaining the ability to re-sign the document properly, you must clear the existing signature or start with an unsigned source file.
Manage and Edit PDF Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite of PDF tools, allowing you to view, flatten, and manage digitally signed PDFs effortlessly. If you need to print a signed document to a standard PDF for editing, WPS Office handles it with ease.
- 1. Open the Signed File: Launch WPS Office, click on 'PDF', and open your digitally signed document.
- 2. Open Print Settings: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Print'.
- 3. Choose WPS PDF Printer: Under the Printer Name dropdown, select 'WPS PDF' to output a new file.
- 4. Export the Editable File: Click 'Print', choose your desired folder, and save the newly flattened PDF, which can now be annotated and edited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I edit a digitally signed PDF directly?
Digital signatures are designed to ensure document integrity and prevent tampering. When a signature is applied, the file is cryptographically locked so that any subsequent changes to the content will invalidate the signature and trigger a warning.
Does a PDF that has been printed to PDF retain its legal validity?
Usually not. When you print a digitally signed PDF to a new PDF file, the resulting document is a flattened image. The visual representation of the signature remains, but the cryptographic metadata required to verify its authenticity is permanently removed.
How can I remove a digital signature from a PDF?
Only the person who originally placed the digital signature can clear it. If you have the associated digital ID installed on your computer, you can right-click the signature field and select 'Clear Signature' from the context menu.
