Lock PDF Signed via Digital Certificate

[Justin29395894xpc4]

Is it possible to retroactively lock a document signed by digital certificates? For example, the document was signed by everyone but was not locked by the last signer. I then go back and lock it.

Also, is it possible to prevent comments and other editing tools once locked?

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Justin29395894xpc4,

Thank you for reaching out.

If the document is digitally signed, it is not possible to make any changes to that PDF.

After digitally signed, the document will add restrictions to adding comments and editing text in the PDF.

You may check the security added to PDF after adding the signature via the document properties. Launch PDF and go to File > Properties > Security.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

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[try67]

> If the document is digitally signed, it is not possible to make any changes to that PDF.

That's not always the case. If the file is not locked when signed form fields can be filled in, and additional signatures can be applied to it.

[Martha29442891labk]

Thanks for the answer!

[Justin29395894xpc4]

Thank you for the clarification, can you lock the document without signing (eg. the last signer forgot to lock the document)? 

[try67]

In a way. You can apply a security policy that will prevent it from being edited.

To make it really secure, though, you should also apply a policy that requires a password to open it, as just the file-edit policy can be quite easily overcome.