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I received a PDF document already signed by email from a third party. It contains a DocuSign Envelope ID number. How can I verify the veracity of this signature?
Solved
Signature verification
+2- New Voice
Best answer by JohnSantos
When you open a DocuSign completed envelope in Adobe Reader, you can verify that the document has not been tampered with by using the signature validation feature next to the signature icon. Here’s how this process works and what it involves:
Steps to Verify a DocuSign Completed Envelope in Adobe Reader
-
Open the Document:
- Launch Adobe Reader and open the completed document.
-
Signature Panel:
- On the right-hand side or top toolbar, you’ll see a signature icon (a pen or a ribbon). Click on this icon to open the signature panel. This may also automatically open when you open a document with signatures.
-
Signature Details:
- Within the signature panel, you’ll find detailed information about the digital signature. Click on the signature to view the details.
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Validation Status:
- Adobe Reader will check the validity of the signature against the certificate authority that issued the signing certificate. You will see a message such as:
- "Signed and all signatures are valid": This indicates that the document has not been tampered with since it was signed, and the signatures are authentic.
- "Signature is valid, but...": This may suggest the document is valid but could have minor issues, such as untrusted certificates.
- "Signature is invalid": This indicates the document has been altered after signing, or there’s an issue with the signature.
- Adobe Reader will check the validity of the signature against the certificate authority that issued the signing certificate. You will see a message such as:
-
+15- Digital Leader
Hello
The Certificate of Completion (CoC) automatically incorporates this information for each envelope, bearing the same envelope ID as the signed documents. Digital electronic signatures, this information is also directly visible within the document itself upon examination of the certificate.
You can download the certificate and document to verify.
+2- New Voice
Thank you.
But I didn't receive the document via docsign. I received it via email external to the system. How do I get this information?
+15- Digital Leader
Thank you.
But I didn't receive the document via docsign. I received it via email external to the system. How do I get this information?
So you can ask to the sender who sends you the singed copy. you can ask for COC as it required to verify.
+19- Guru
- Answer
When you open a DocuSign completed envelope in Adobe Reader, you can verify that the document has not been tampered with by using the signature validation feature next to the signature icon. Here’s how this process works and what it involves:
Steps to Verify a DocuSign Completed Envelope in Adobe Reader
-
Open the Document:
- Launch Adobe Reader and open the completed document.
-
Signature Panel:
- On the right-hand side or top toolbar, you’ll see a signature icon (a pen or a ribbon). Click on this icon to open the signature panel. This may also automatically open when you open a document with signatures.
-
Signature Details:
- Within the signature panel, you’ll find detailed information about the digital signature. Click on the signature to view the details.
-
Validation Status:
- Adobe Reader will check the validity of the signature against the certificate authority that issued the signing certificate. You will see a message such as:
- "Signed and all signatures are valid": This indicates that the document has not been tampered with since it was signed, and the signatures are authentic.
- "Signature is valid, but...": This may suggest the document is valid but could have minor issues, such as untrusted certificates.
- "Signature is invalid": This indicates the document has been altered after signing, or there’s an issue with the signature.
- Adobe Reader will check the validity of the signature against the certificate authority that issued the signing certificate. You will see a message such as:
-
- Community Moderator
Hi
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+3- Conversation Starter
Hi guys, this query not answered at all, user just gave up i think. The PDF signature panel tells me nothing. How do I verify that each of the multiple signature images I see on the file are actual signature and not just the screenshot? I could easily paste some screenshots into file and that just add a small text box in docusign to make it look just as legitimate to your average Joe recipient.
+19- Guru
You are right, simply seeing a signature image on a PDF doesn’t confirm a valid, cryptographic digital signature. The presence of a signature “image” is not proof that the document is signed in a legally binding way—it could be nothing more than a pasted graphic. To verify the authenticity, you need to confirm the presence and validity of a digital signature embedded within the PDF’s data structure.
If the document is properly digitally signed, the panel will show details such as:
- The name of the signer.
- The issuing Certificate Authority (CA).
- Whether the signature is valid and if the document has been altered since signing.
Check the Document’s "Certified" Status:
Some PDFs are "certified." When you open such a PDF in a proper viewer, you’ll see a blue bar at the top (in Adobe Acrobat) stating that the document is certified, including the name of the certifying party and any allowed actions. A certified PDF with a valid certifying signature is hard evidence that the document hasn’t been modified since the certificate was applied.
A legitimate, cryptographic digital signature within a PDF is always accompanied by verifiable information accessible through dedicated signature panels in PDF viewers or by external validation tools. Just looking at an image that resembles a signature is not enough. The panel must show verifiable details such as the signer’s identity, certificate authority, and an indication that the signature is valid and the document has not been altered since the signing event.
+3- Conversation Starter
Thanks for the reply
+19- Guru
The short answer is: If a signature is truly “digital” (cryptographically verifiable) rather than just an image, there will be technical evidence of it.
A properly embedded digital signature will show up in the Signatures or Certificates panel.
Check for a Certificate of Completion or Audit Trail.
- Conversation Starter
When there are two different contracts and different envelopes for signature, should two numbers be automatically generated under the signature? If it were to happen that the two contracts have the same numbering under the signature, is it because a screenshot was taken to place the signature on different contracts? Would that be a way of knowing that there was manipulation of one of the contracts to duplicate the signature without prior authorization?
+19- Guru
- Each distinct DocuSign envelope should produce a unique Envelope ID and Certificate of Completion.
- Finding the same Envelope ID or signature block on two different contracts strongly indicates manipulation
- The definitive proof of a valid DocuSign transaction lies in the Certificate of Completion and verifying the Envelope ID directly with DocuSign’s records. If those don’t align with what appears on the contract, it’s very likely the document was altered outside of DocuSign.
- Conversation Starter
where can I find this Certificate of Completion and verifying the Envelope ID. thanks
+19- Guru
To find the Certificate of Completion and verify the Envelope ID in DocuSign, start by checking your DocuSign envelope in the Manage area (if you’re the sender) or follow the link in your completion email (if you’re a signer). The Certificate of Completion—often appended to the signed PDF or downloadable separately—will display the Envelope ID and important audit trail details. If anything appears irregular, or if you can’t find the certificate, contact the sender or DocuSign Support for further assistance.
- Conversation Starter
I found this in the contracts. Finding the same envelope ID or signature block in two different contracts strongly indicates manipulation. I want to know how I can have the contracts reviewed and have you certify to me if it is correct, so I can take legal action against this company.
Please help me by sharing the link so I can do this.
- Conversation Starter
I want to open a case and for some reason it's not giving access, to open a case and I really need that.
+19- Guru
I want to open a case and for some reason it's not giving access, to open a case and I really need that.
You need to be logged in into your account to open a case.
- Conversation Starter
I want to open a case about a signature, of some documents that a company sent me and I want that signature to be analyzed. And I haven't been able to.
because when I give it a chance two selections appear and I don't know which one exactly, to choose.
- Conversation Starter
To open a case I must have a paid subscription, because I have already tried and I have not been able to do it and it really urges me.
- Newcomer
Since a certificate of completion is not embedded in the document itself, it’s very easy to forge a document that will look legitimate. Let’s say, the document requires signatures of two parties - you and another party, You want to forge it. So, you just insert a picture of the other party’s signature copied from a legitimate document AND create a DocuSign signature field for yourself. Then you sign it with your own digital signature. Viola - this document will appear as “digitally signed” and legitimate! After that you can present it in a court, etc., and no one will ask you for a completion certificate - everyone will believe it (Adobe Acrobat will show that it’s digitally signed, that the signature has been verified and that the document has not been altered). Keep in mind that Adobe Acrobat DOES NOT verify the signatures of every signing party, it only verified the digital signature of the signing authority (in this case, DocuSign) with which the document is signed (because the document IS NOT signed with the digital signatures of each party). This means that you ABSOLUTELY need to see the Certificate of Completion to make sure that the document was signed with valid parties. And you CANNOT trust the Certificate of Completion that you did not receive directly from DocuSign because it can also be easily forged (just make a PDF that looks like a certificate of completion, add a picture of the other party to it and and digitally sign it with your own signature).
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