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PAdES signature

Adobe-compatible PDF signing boundary

Prepare PDF and certificate inputs for a real CMS/PKCS#7 PAdES signing core.

A real PAdES signature requires CMS/PKCS#7 signing, byte-range placeholders, certificates and timestamp support. This page exposes the browser integration boundary.

Certificate material is only read locally by this page.

User guide

How to use PAdES Signature Integration Boundary

Prepare PDFs for a standards-compliant certificate signing service or WASM engine and validate returned signatures.

  1. 1

    Select a PDF and a trusted signing identity or provider.

  2. 2

    Create the provider-specific digest/signing request.

  3. 3

    Apply the returned CMS signature into a reserved PDF ByteRange.

  4. 4

    Validate certificate chain, timestamp, revocation, and document integrity in an independent viewer.

Best for

  • Enterprise signing integrations
  • Testing Adobe-compatible signature workflows

Important limitation

pdf-lib alone cannot create a complete production PAdES signature. Legal effect depends on jurisdiction, identity assurance, certificate policy, timestamps, revocation data, and validation software.

Frequently asked questions

Can Web Crypto alone create PAdES?

No. Web Crypto can sign bytes, but PAdES also needs precise PDF and CMS structures plus trusted certificates.

How should it be tested?

Use independent validators and the applicable legal and certificate-policy requirements.

PDFPerch processes files locally unless this guide explicitly identifies a cloud-dependent feature. Always keep an original copy and verify critical output before submission, printing, signing, or accounting use.