How to verify a signature on a PDF
Confirm an electronic signature is genuine and the document has not been altered. Scan the QR code, paste the verification code, or upload the file — PDF Verified recomputes the document SHA-256 fingerprint and checks it against the value sealed at signing. Anyone can verify, with no account.
Three ways to verify
- Scan the QR code printed on every page of the signed PDF
- Enter the short verification code on the verification page
- Upload the signed PDF to recompute and compare its SHA-256 hash
How to verify a signature, step by step
- Open the verification page. Go to pdfverified.com/verify, or scan the QR code printed on any page of the signed PDF — the QR opens the verification page automatically.
- Submit the document or its code. Upload the signed PDF, paste the short verification code, or let the scanned QR carry the document reference. PDF Verified recomputes the SHA-256 fingerprint.
- Read the result. See whether the document is verified or tampered, the completion date, every signer and timestamp, the SHA-256 fingerprint, and the full audit trail.
What makes a signature genuine
A photographed or pasted signature proves nothing. Every PDF Verified signature is backed by three layers of evidence: the signer captured intent (signing action, timestamp, IP), a tamper-evident SHA-256 hash of the sealed document, and a public audit trail — so authenticity and integrity are something anyone can check.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a signature on a PDF?
Open pdfverified.com/verify, then scan the QR code printed on the signed PDF, paste the verification code, or upload the file. PDF Verified recomputes the document SHA-256 fingerprint and compares it to the value sealed at signing. If they match, the signature and document are authentic and unaltered; if a single byte changed, verification fails. No account is required.
How can I tell if an electronic signature is real?
A genuine PDF Verified signature is backed by three layers of evidence: the signer captured intent (the signing action, timestamp, and IP), a tamper-evident SHA-256 hash of the sealed document, and a public audit trail. The verification page shows every signer, their timestamps, and whether the document has been modified since signing.
Can anyone verify a signed document, or do I need an account?
Anyone can verify. Every signed PDF Verified document carries a QR code on every page that opens a public verification page — recipients, counterparties, auditors, and courts can confirm authenticity with no account and no login.
What is the difference between verifying a signature and verifying a stamp?
Signature verification confirms who signed a document and that the document is unaltered, using the document SHA-256 fingerprint and audit trail. Stamp verification at /verify-stamp/:token confirms a specific company seal or approval stamp is genuine, shows its serial number and the document it was applied to, and whether it has been revoked.
How do I know a signed PDF has not been tampered with?
PDF Verified seals every completed document with a SHA-256 fingerprint. Because any change produces a completely different hash, the verification page detects tampering instantly: it recomputes the hash of the file you submit and compares it to the sealed value. A mismatch means the file was altered after signing.
Is PDF Verified signature verification accepted in court?
The audit certificate and SHA-256 fingerprint are designed to be admissible evidence. PDF Verified signatures comply with the US ESIGN Act, UETA, EU eIDAS, and equivalent laws in 190+ countries, and the tamper-evident hash plus the timestamped signer hash chain establish authenticity and integrity.
How do I check if a document is original online?
Open the file public verification page — scan the QR code on a PDF Verified document, paste its verification code, or upload the PDF at pdfverified.com/verify. It recomputes the SHA-256 fingerprint and compares it to the sealed original, then shows whether the document is the genuine, unaltered original or a modified copy. It works online in any browser, with no account.
How do I check if a PDF is original or not?
A PDF is the original when its current SHA-256 fingerprint still matches the value sealed at signing. Upload the PDF (or scan its QR code) on the verification page: a match means it is the untouched original; a mismatch means it was edited, re-saved, or forged after signing. PDF Verified also flags post-signature revisions and metadata changes.
How can I tell if a document is fake?
A fake or tampered document fails cryptographic verification: its hash no longer matches the sealed original, or it carries no verifiable seal or audit trail at all. Genuine PDF Verified documents expose a public QR verification page with the signer identities, timestamps, SHA-256 fingerprint and revocation status — evidence a photoshopped or AI-generated document cannot reproduce.
What is a verified PDF?
A verified PDF is a document whose electronic signature and integrity have been cryptographically confirmed: it identifies who signed it, proves it has not been altered since signing (via a SHA-256 fingerprint), and can be checked by anyone through a public QR link or by re-uploading the file. That is exactly what PDF Verified produces and lets recipients confirm — free, with no account.