How to Verify a PDF Signature
Verifying a PDF signature answers two things: is the signature genuine, and has the document changed since it was signed? PDF Verified binds every signature to a tamper-evident SHA-256 seal and an audit trail, so anyone can verify a PDF signature in the browser — free, and with no account.
Step by step
- Open /verify on the signed PDF.
- Scan the QR code, paste the short verification code, or upload the file.
- Confirm the signature is intact and the document unaltered.
- Open the certificate of completion for the signer, time, and audit trail.
What to look for
- An unbroken SHA-256 seal binding the signature to the document
- A signing record with signer identity and timestamp
- No revisions appended after the final signature
- A public verification page reachable from the QR code
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to verify a pdf signature?
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 do I verify a PDF signature?
Scan the QR code on the signed PDF, paste its short verification code, or upload the file at /verify. PDF Verified confirms the signature is intact and the document is unchanged since signing, and shows who signed and when — free, no account.
How do I know a PDF signature is genuine and not copied?
A pasted picture of a signature has no matching verification record. A PDF Verified signature is bound to the document’s SHA-256 fingerprint and an audit trail, so a genuine signature resolves to a public verification page while a copied image does not.
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