How do I insert additional PDF pages to an already digitally signed document?

[keri2017]

I have a form that requires digital signatures.  Once it has been routed, additional PDF pages need to be added.  However, the insert pages from file option is grayed out.  Any help would be appreciated.

[Bernd Alheit]

You can't change signed documents. Add the pages before signing.

[keri2017]

additional pages are not available until after the request document is signed.  They can't be added prior to signing.  Looks like I am out of luck on figuring this problem out.

[Monroe5EF3]

Well, actually, yes you can.

If you're creating a PDF form using "Prepare Form" in Acrobat Pro DC, you can choose which text field become read-only once the document is signed.  This allows multiple signatures on one document, each with its own customized list of items that become "locked" after signature.

So there should also be a way to allow pages to be added - in the signature properties.

This is a very common need in business.  It's called document workflow.

[try67]

The whole purpose of a digital signature is to make sure the file is not changed after it is saved, so no, you can't do that.

[keri2017]

I get that it is not to be changed.  But, the additional pages need to be part of the final signed document.  However, those pages are not created until after the original request has been signed.  This has been frustrating.  I end up having two files.  One with the form only, and another with the additional pages.

[Thom Parker]

You can't change an existing signed document, or at least you shouldn't. But put both the signed PDF and additional pages into a Portfolio, or even as regular attachments to another PDF, that acts as a folder.

[keri2017]

Thanks Thom.  I hadn't thought about a Portfolio.

[Monroe5EF3]

Portfolios don't work so well when you have to import the finished document into a document repository for digital archival.  Most digital archival software converts to TIFF, which will only capture the first document in the portfolio.

You can customize signature properties to only limit certain editing functionality - essentially choose which functionality you want to be "locked" whent he document is signed.

This is absolutely crucial for multi-approval document workflows.

[try67]

 If you convert the file to an image then a digital signature is useless anyway, since it gets flattened when exported and can no longer be validated. An image of a digital signature is no different than an image of a hand-written signature.

[RW Admin]

This works!!!  Once you have documents in a portfolio, it is possible to add additional signatures to each document inside the portfolio (you hace to 'open document', & sign - the portfolio contains the updated document - hooray!). All of the signatures are retained, solving the workflow issue raised by the  OP.

I have been struggling with the same issue as the OP for a long time. THIS is the fix!  THANK YOU!

[Monroe5EF3]

The purpose of a digital signature is to ensure that selected elements cannot be changed after signature.  In my experience, multi-approval document workflows almost always require pages to be added throughout the process.  Signature properties should be customized to only lock the editing capabilites chosen by the document designer.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Imagine you signed a contract and someone was able to add pages to it, pretending you signed those as well... That wouldn't be very good, would it? In the real world the solution is to sign each page, but that's not how digital signatures work, as they apply to the entire file as a whole, so what you're describing is simply not possible, even if you really want it to be.

[Monroe5EF3]

You do understand the concept of document workflow, right?

Digital signature properties can be customized to make only the elements you choose read-only.

You just have to know what you're doing when you build the form.

I use this functionality every day on documents signed with DoD-level certificates.

So yes, it simply is possible, no matter how much you really want to be right.

[Thom Parker]

For a PDF, a digital signature/certificate applies to the entire document. It is possible to remove some elements from the certification process, so that changes to those elements do not invalidate the signature.  But, pages are not one of those element types. 

There is a variation on this theme that allows for multiple certificates to be applied to a PDF, but I'm not sure of the underlying technical details of how this is implemented and I do not think it is productive to argue on this point until you have read the specification and actually understand how it all works. 

[Jill251525643xga]

This is possible. The only way to do this is to open your PDF in Preview. Select Print and Save as PDF. 

[cheryle_9403]

You are correct about adding pages to a signed document causing it to lose it's integrity.  The problem is, that for some of us, we need signed documents combined with other docs.  With DocuSign, you could extract the signed docs, save and then insert in the new document.  The new document didn't have the added security, but each page was marked as having been through DocuSign.  This is what I need to do for my company's workflow.  I must show that the original document was approved (ie signed), but I don't need a legally signed document.  AdobeSign doesn't allow this and it creates a problem that needs a resolution. Reminding people that it can't/shouldn't be done isn't helpful.  

[try67]

> With DocuSign, you could extract the signed docs, save and then insert in the new document. The new document didn't have the added security, but each page was marked as having been through DocuSign.

I find that extremely dangerous. If you don't know the full context of the document a single "signed" page can mean anything and be used for nefarious purposes, especially if it can be combined with other pages.

If DocuSign allows that I consider it a major privacy and security flaw in that technology. But I guess some industries need it, despite the obvious risks involved. PDF is not the format for you, then. Use something else.

[Jill251525643xga]

This is possible. The only way to do this if on a Mac is to open your PDF in Preview. Select Print and Save as PDF. 

[try67]

By doing that you're removing the signature from the file, though.

[Test Screen Name]

Jill, this is nonsense, sorry. The whole point is to keep the digital signature (or there was no reason to sign) but editing in Preview destroys the signature, removing all the legal proof it was ever signed. Don't confuse the useless "stamp" on the page with the signature itself. Such a file would be repudiated in court, and may be considered an attempt at forgery. Just don't go there.

[Christina34812007dgr9]

I went to File> Print> Microsoft Print to PDF> Print (save to folder). Open in folder and add your pages!

[Shurmano]

But then you lose the first signature

[boyleerin1204_2426]

when i have a packet that i need to add in a document that i signed into is i do a print to adobe for the signed document and save on my desktop. then i can insert it into my other adobe packet

[Kathi322787285vry]

I have tried to print adobe but it still will not allow me to insert additional pages.