Most business documents today are shared in PDF format — contracts, NDAs, financial reports.
But a simple electronic signature often isn’t enough, especially if the document needs to be validated years later. That’s where PAdES comes in.
Built for long-term proof
PAdES (PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures) adds long-term validation (LTV) to the signature.
This means even if a certificate expires or is revoked, the signature remains valid — because the certificate chain and a trusted timestamp are embedded directly in the file.
Fully self-contained
Everything — the signer’s identity, validation data, and timestamp — is stored inside the PDF. There’s no need for external servers to verify the document later.
What it looks like
When opened in Adobe Acrobat, the document shows a green checkmark (“Signature validated”).
Clicking “Signature Properties” reveals a line like “Signature includes an embedded timestamp,” showing exact date and time.
If the file lacks LTV, Acrobat will warn: “Date/time are from the signer’s computer clock” — a weaker legal position.
How it works
- Upload a PDF to DocuChain.
- Add signers and send.
- The system applies a digital signature with a trusted timestamp.
- Open in Acrobat to view the validation and LTV status.
Why it important
- Fully eIDAS-compliant for EU use cases.
- Works in any standard PDF viewer.
- Doesn’t rely on external validation services.
- Guaranteed legal durability, even years from now.
Try it today
Upload your PDF to DocuChain, sign with embedded PAdES, and deliver a document that stands up to audits, courts, and time. Start free and secure your files for the long haul.
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