an important PDF has locked itself and I cannot get it open

[OliviaSavile]

Hi brains trust,

I recently sent a document to a colleague to fill out on my behalf, as they are nomintating me for a new visa in Australia. The PDF document has been sent back to me and upon receiving is locked.  Now the colleague can no longer open it, nor can I.  When I click on the PDF it says it is protected and to please use an open password. I have literally spent all day trying to get it unlocked / open to no avail. I never put a password on the document, nor did my colleague. I have additionally contacted immigration to see if they put any sort of password protect on this form 1000 and they do not. I am at a total loss. Last resort is asking my colleague to do this form again as it is a large undertaking and they are extremely busy. I am so frustrated and don't know what to do, please help!

[Amal.]

Hi @OliviaSavile

I understand that dealing with password-related issues can be quite frustrating. I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble recalling the password for your PDF file.

Unfortunately, passwords don't apply themselves automatically, and I know how crucial it is to access your file. In this situation, the best course of action would be to recreate the PDF from its original source file. If you have the source document, you can generate a new PDF without the need for a password.

~Amal

[JR Boulay]

You have three options:
- Confess the sneak who added an opening password without telling you.
- Ask the NSA or CIA to crack the password.
- Redo a new form.