How to inspect the certificate details of a digitally signed pdf
- Step 1Upload the digitally signed PDF — Drop the file into the digital signature inspection tool.
- Step 2Select the signature to inspect — If there are multiple signatures, select the one you want to examine.
- Step 3Review certificate details — Read the issuer, subject distinguished name, serial number, and validity period.
- Step 4Verify against expected identity — Confirm the subject name matches the expected signer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if the certificate is from a trusted authority?+
The certificate chain should lead to a publicly trusted root CA (e.g., GlobalSign, DigiCert, or a government trust list). Self-signed certificates have no external trust anchor.
What key usage flag should a document signing certificate have?+
Look for 'Digital Signature' and 'Non Repudiation' key usage flags — these confirm the certificate was issued specifically for signing.
Can I see the certificate revocation status?+
The tool checks the embedded OCSP response or CRL if included in the PDF. For real-time revocation checking, an internet-connected OCSP check is required.
Privacy first
All PDF processing runs locally in your browser using PDF-lib and pdf.js. No file is ever uploaded — only metadata counters are saved for signed-in dashboard stats.