How to Move Digital Signatures From Acrobat 9 to Acrobat DC
Question details
The user needs to transfer existing digital signature identities from an older Adobe Acrobat 9 installation to a new computer running Adobe Acrobat DC.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Upgrading to a new computer and modern PDF software version while needing to retain previously established digital signatures.
- Observed behavior
- The user is looking for the exact steps to locate, export, securely transfer, and import digital ID files between the two specific software versions.
Ensure you have access to your old computer running Adobe Acrobat 9 and have a secure USB drive or private network location ready to transfer your digital ID file.
Exporting Digital ID from Acrobat 9 and Importing to Acrobat DC
Use the built-in Preferences menu to export your digital certificate as a secure file from Acrobat 9, and then import it into your new Acrobat DC setup.
Digital IDs act as your personal signature for securing and verifying PDF documents. Because they contain sensitive cryptographic keys, they cannot simply be copied by moving program folders; they must be properly exported and imported.
On your old computer running Acrobat 9, click on the 'Edit' menu at the top, select 'Preferences', and then click on the 'Signatures' category on the left sidebar.
Find the section labeled 'Identities & Trusted Certificates' (or 'Digital IDs') and click the 'More' button to view your saved signatures.
Select the specific digital ID you wish to move and click 'Export'. Choose to save the file. It will typically save as an FDF, CER, or a PKCS#12 (.pfx or .p12) file. If exporting a private key, ensure you create a strong password to protect it.
Securely copy the exported file to your new computer using a USB flash drive, an external hard drive, or a secure private network.
Open Acrobat DC on your new computer. Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Signatures. Click 'More' under 'Identities & Trusted Certificates', click 'Add ID' (or the plus icon), select 'My existing digital ID from a file', and browse to your transferred file. Enter the password you created during export to finalize the import.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What file format is best for exporting a digital signature?
If you are transferring a signature that you intend to use for signing documents (which includes a private key), you should export it in the PKCS#12 (.pfx or .p12) format. If you are only sharing your public certificate so others can validate your signature, a .cer or .fdf file is used.
Why is Acrobat DC asking for a password when importing my digital ID?
When you exported the digital ID from Acrobat 9, the system required you to secure the private key file with a password. You must enter this exact password in Acrobat DC to authenticate the file and authorize the import.
Can I just copy the Adobe installation folder to my new computer?
No, copying the installation folder or the application data folder will not transfer your digital identities correctly and may cause software errors. You must use the software's built-in export/import functionality to securely migrate certificate files.
What should I do if my digital ID has expired before I transfer it?
If your digital certificate has already expired, transferring it to a new computer will not renew it or make it valid again. You will need to generate a completely new self-signed digital ID in Acrobat DC or request an updated certificate from your Certificate Authority.
