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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?

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JohnSantosAnswer

Guru

@Luis Canani

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.

Welcome to the DocuSign Community! Your feedback is highly valued. If you find my response helpful, please give it a "Like" and consider marking it as the "Best Answer" to assist others with similar issues.

Pawan Gangwani

Hero

Hello @Luis Canani

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.

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Luis Canani

Author

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?

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Pawan Gangwani

Hero

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.

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JohnSantos

Answer

Guru

@Luis Canani

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.

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Welcome to the DocuSign Community! Your feedback is highly valued. If you find my response helpful, please give it a "Like" and consider marking it as the "Best Answer" to assist others with similar issues.

A

Alejandro.Ramos

Docusign Employee

Hi @Luis Canani,

I hope you are doing well.

I would like to confirm if you were able to solve your issue by utilizing the solution that was suggested?

If so, please mark it as the best answer by clicking “Select as Best” to make it easier for other users to find.

Otherwise, feel free to let me know and I will gladly help you address the situation as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Alejandro R. | Docusign Community Moderator

"Select as Best" below if you find the answer a valid solution to your issue!

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Max Kavka

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.

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JohnSantos

Guru

@Max Kavka

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.

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Welcome to the DocuSign Community! Your feedback is highly valued. If you find my response helpful, please give it a "Like" and consider marking it as the "Best Answer" to assist others with similar issues.

M

Max Kavka

Conversation Starter

Thanks for the reply @JohnSantos, but the signature panel in my Adobe Pro tells me absolutely nothing about the 4 signatures I’m looking at :( All I ascertain from this is that someone had put it through the DocuSign. If Adobe Pro can’t show me details what will?

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JohnSantos

Guru

@Max Kavka

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.

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Welcome to the DocuSign Community! Your feedback is highly valued. If you find my response helpful, please give it a "Like" and consider marking it as the "Best Answer" to assist others with similar issues.

W

Wilberth809

Conversation Starter

@JohnSantos

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?

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Steps to Verify a DocuSign Completed Envelope in Adobe Reader

Steps to Verify a DocuSign Completed Envelope in Adobe Reader

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