How to Check if a PDF Is the Original
An “original” PDF is one that has not been changed since it was finalised. PDF Verified confirms this two ways: for a document it sealed, it compares the current file to the original SHA-256 fingerprint; for any PDF, it inspects the internal structure and revision history for signs of editing after the fact.
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.
Step by step
- Open /verify and upload the PDF (or scan its QR code).
- The checker computes the file’s SHA-256 fingerprint and inspects its structure.
- It compares against the sealed original where one exists.
- Read the verdict: original and unaltered, or modified.
What to look for
- A SHA-256 fingerprint identical to the sealed original
- No incremental-save revisions appended after signing
- Original, unedited metadata
- Consistent fonts and object streams across every page
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to check if a pdf is original?
Yes. Upload the PDF to the PDF Verified checker and get a verdict for free, no account needed. The file is analysed and not shared.
Do I need the original to compare against?
No. If the document was sealed by PDF Verified, the SHA-256 fingerprint is embedded and checked automatically. For any other PDF, the forensic checker inspects the file's own structure, metadata, and revision history.
Is my document kept private?
The file is processed only to produce the verdict and is not published or shared. Verification of a PDF Verified document can also be done with just the QR code or short code, without uploading the file at all.
How can I tell if a PDF is the original?
Upload it at /verify. If it was sealed by PDF Verified, the tool matches it against the original SHA-256 fingerprint and tells you instantly whether it is the untouched original. For any other PDF, the forensic checker flags edits, appended revisions and altered metadata.
What PDF Verified is, and what it is not
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.
More verification guides
- How to Check if a PDF Was Edited or Modified
- How to Verify a Signature Is Authentic
- How to Detect Document Tampering & Forgery
- How to Validate a Digital Signature in a PDF
- Verify a Signed PDF Online, Free
- How to Check Document Authenticity Online
- How to Check PDF Metadata & Edit History
- How to Verify a Certificate of Completion
- How to Tell if a Document Was Photoshopped or Altered
- Verify a Document Without an Account or Software