What is Advanced Electronic Signature (AdES)?

A middle-tier eIDAS signature that uniquely identifies the signer and detects any later changes to the document.

An Advanced Electronic Signature (AdES) under eIDAS Article 26 must (a) be uniquely linked to the signer, (b) be capable of identifying the signer, (c) be created using signature-creation data that the signer can use with a high level of confidence under their sole control, and (d) be linked to the data signed in such a way that any subsequent change in the data is detectable. AdES is the sweet spot for most B2B EU contracts: stronger evidentiary value than SES, none of the QES overhead.

Drop your document here and sign it now. PDF, Word and Excel all work: a .docx or .xlsx is laid out in your browser exactly as it was written, so there is nothing to convert first. Add a signature, a date, a company stamp or a watermark, then download it sealed. Free to start, no account, and the file is never uploaded to open it.

AdES building blocks

In practice, AdES combines a captured signature with a PKI digital signature certificate. The signer's identity is verified (typically email + ID document upload + selfie liveness), the signing key is held by them (or by the TSP on their behalf with strict access controls), and the document is hashed and signed cryptographically so any byte change is detectable.

AdES vs QES

AdES doesn't require the certificate to come from a Qualified TSP, any TSP that meets the technical bar will do. AdES also doesn't require a hardware QSCD. This keeps the cost roughly 10x cheaper than QES while still providing strong tamper-evidence and signer identification.

When AdES is enough

Most commercial contracts, NDAs, employment agreements, vendor agreements, sales contracts, lease agreements, all are valid with AdES under eIDAS. PDF Verified offers AdES via TSP integration on Business Plus.

What PDF Verified is, and what it is not

Electronic signature law is settled in broad terms and specific in the details. The ESIGN Act, UETA, eIDAS and their equivalents recognise electronic signatures across more than 190 countries, and what decides a particular case is intent to sign plus evidence connecting the signature to the signer, which is what the audit certificate records. Certain document types carry their own formalities wherever you are: deeds, wills, some property instruments, and anything requiring a witness or a notary. Sign only what you are authorised to sign, since applying another person signature without their authority is forgery whatever tool is used.

PDF Verified is a tool for preparing, signing, stamping and checking documents. It is not a law firm, a compliance service or a forensic examiner, and nothing here is legal, financial or compliance advice. Requirements differ by country, by document type and by the party asking, so check what applies to your document before you rely on it, and take advice where the document matters. You are responsible for the documents you create, sign and send, and for having the authority to do so: signing or stamping in somebody else name, or as an organisation you do not represent, is forgery whatever tool is used. To the extent the law allows, we accept no liability for how a document made with this tool is used or relied on. The full position is in our terms of service.