How to Fix Invalid PDF Signatures and Display 'Certified By' in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user wants to display the 'Certified By' status instead of 'Digital Signature' on a PDF and needs help resolving an invalid certificate error in Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing a certified PDF document where the signature shows up as a standard 'Digital Signature' and triggers an invalid signature warning.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat reports the PDF signature as invalid, and the signature's visible appearance displays 'Digital Signature' rather than the certifier’s name or 'Certified By' status.
Ensure you are connected to the internet so the software can check certificate revocation lists, and only trust certificates from senders you know and verify.
Validate the Certificate Using the Signature Panel
Before worrying about the visible text on the page, you must resolve the 'invalid signature' error by verifying the certificate trust in the Signature Panel.
The visible appearance of a signature on a PDF page can be easily falsified and should not be relied upon for security. The true validation of a document's integrity and certification status is found within the Signature Panel.
By examining the panel, you can identify why the signature is marked invalid, whether due to an untrusted certificate, unauthorized document changes, or a revoked identity.
Open the PDF document in Adobe Acrobat and click on the 'Signature Panel' button located on the left-hand navigation pane or in the top alert bar.
Expand the signature tree to view the complete validation details, including certificate trust, signer identity, and revocation status.
If the error is due to an untrusted certificate and you recognize the sender, right-click the signature, select 'Show Signature Properties', click 'Show Signer's Certificate', and navigate to the 'Trust' tab to add it to your Trusted Certificates.
Close the properties window and click the 'Validate All' button in the Signature Panel to refresh the status. The signature should now show as valid.
Configure Signature Appearance Settings
Modify your Acrobat preferences so that future signatures you apply display specific details, such as labels and names, on the document page.
Easily Validate and Manage PDF Signatures with WPS Office
WPS Office includes a built-in, user-friendly PDF editor that allows you to easily view, manage, and validate digital signatures without navigating through complex settings menus.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the certified or signed PDF document you need to review.
- 2. Access the Protect Tab: Navigate to the 'Protect' tab on the top ribbon to access security and signature features.
- 3. View the Digital Signature: Click on 'Digital Signature' or simply click the visible signature block on the document page.
- 4. Validate the Certificate: A properties window will appear, allowing you to instantly view the certificate details, check the signer's identity, and validate the document's integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a digital signature say 'Invalid' even if I trust the sender?
This typically occurs because the signer's digital certificate is not yet included in your software's list of trusted identities. You must manually inspect the certificate in the signature properties and add it to your trusted list.
Is the visible signature text on the PDF page secure?
No. The visible text, images, or labels on a PDF page can be easily manipulated or falsified. You should always rely on the Signature Panel's validation message to confirm the true security and integrity of the document.
What is the difference between a standard Digital Signature and a Certified PDF?
A standard digital signature simply indicates approval by the signer. A certified PDF (usually applied by the document creator) locks down the document and specifies exactly what changes (like form filling) are allowed without breaking the certification.
