How to detect Docs converted to Word and re-saved as PDF?

Question

I send out documents to be signed by two parties and I always sign second. Often the documents are retuened to me locked. Using Adobe Pro, I export the document to MS Word, apply my signature as a picture, and re-save the document as a PDF. There is nothing preventing me from making other changes to the document while it is in Word/. Once I re-save there is nothing that visually indicates changes have been made.

Is there a way to insert a watermark, font, or graphic that Word cannot convert properly so that the possibility of unapproved changes could be detected at a glance?

I'm aware I can compare two documents to detect differences, but it is cumbersome for the volume of documents we handle.

try67 · Answer

If you don't want the document to be changed you need to sign it yourself (using a digital signature, not an image!) before sending it out. You can set the signature to lock all the file's contents, except for one other signature field, which the recipient can use to sign the document themselves, before sending it back to you.

When you get it back you can validate your own signature to ensure the file has not been edited in any way.

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