Acrobat
How to check and sign Aadhaar PDF documents securely.
This guide explains how to validate the digital signature on your Aadhaar card and securely e-sign documents when required.
Published by Adobe Acrobat India on 15 July 2025
JUMP TO SECTION
What is a digital signature and how does it work on an Aadhaar card?
How do you check the digital signature on your e-Aadhaar card?
How can you validate a digital signature manually in Adobe Acrobat?
What if the Aadhaar signature still shows as invalid?
Can you electronically sign your Aadhaar card for submission?
How can you ensure your Aadhaar PDF has not been modified?
What are some common errors users encounter when signing or verifying Aadhaar documents?
Can you sign Aadhaar-related forms digitally instead of printing them?
What best practices should you follow when working with Aadhaar PDFs?
Verifying the digital signature on your Aadhaar card is essential to confirm the authenticity of the document and ensure that it has been issued and digitally signed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). A valid digital signature confirms that the electronic Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) has not been tampered with, and is officially recognised. In India, e-Aadhaar documents are commonly accepted by banks, government offices and private service providers, but only when the digital signature is validated. Skipping this verification step may result in your Aadhaar being rejected in formal procedures. Digital signature validation ensures the document's integrity and protects your identity from fraudulent modifications or forgery.
Key takeaways.
- e-Aadhaar cards include a digital signature from UIDAI that must be validated.
- Adobe Acrobat allows you to manually verify and trust the digital certificate.
- Signature validation issues can often be resolved with updates and certificate trust settings.
- Users can securely e-sign Aadhaar-related forms and copies using fill and sign tools.
- Validating and handling Aadhaar PDFs correctly ensures document authenticity and acceptance.
What is a digital signature and how does it work on an Aadhaar card?
A digital signature is an encrypted, secure seal that verifies the authenticity of a digital document. In the case of Aadhaar:
- The e-Aadhaar PDF includes a digital signature from UIDAI
- This signature is placed at the bottom of the last page of the PDF
- It includes a certificate issued by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA)
- A valid signature will show a green tick mark or similar visual confirmation in PDF readers
When you open your e-Aadhaar in a tool like Adobe Acrobat Reader, the software automatically attempts to validate the digital certificate against a trusted source.
How do you check the digital signature on your e-Aadhaar card?
To check whether the digital signature on your Aadhaar card is valid, you can follow these steps:
- Open the e-Aadhaar PDF using a trusted application such as Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Scroll to the last page and locate the signature field
- If the signature is valid, a green tick mark will be visible
- If the signature is not validated, a warning symbol or message may appear
- Click on the signature panel to view more details about the certificate issuer
If you encounter any errors, you may need to manually validate the certificate.
How can you validate a digital signature manually in Adobe Acrobat?
If the signature does not validate automatically, you can manually validate it in Adobe Acrobat using the steps below:
- Open the e-Aadhaar PDF in Adobe Acrobat
- Right-click the signature panel or the warning symbol
- Select "Validate Signature"
- In the pop-up window, click "Signature Properties"
- Click "Show Signer’s Certificate" to view certificate details
- Press "Add to Trusted Certificates"
- Confirm the selection and trust settings
- Click "Validate Signature" again to complete the process
This process adds UIDAI's digital certificate to your trusted list so the signature validates properly.
What if the Aadhaar signature still shows as invalid?
If you have followed the steps to validate the signature but it still appears invalid:
- Ensure your PDF viewer is up to date
- Check your internet connection, as validation requires access to certificate authorities
- Clear certificate cache in Adobe Acrobat and restart the software
- Download the latest version of the e-Aadhaar from the official UIDAI website
- Revalidate the signature after updating your trusted certificate list
Adobe provides enhanced support for signature validation as part of its PDF security features.
Can you electronically sign your Aadhaar card for submission?
While the Aadhaar itself comes digitally signed by UIDAI, some processes may ask you to sign the Aadhaar or a copy of it when submitting to a third party. In these cases:
- Download the e-Aadhaar and save it securely
- Open the file in Adobe Acrobat
- Use the built-in e-sign feature to apply your own signature
- Ensure the document is not locked or password-protected
Adobe Acrobat allows users to add secure electronic signatures via its electronic signature tool.
How can you ensure your Aadhaar PDF has not been modified?
To confirm the Aadhaar document has not been changed since its issuance:
- Look for the "Certified by UIDAI" label in the signature
- Validate the certificate as shown earlier
- Use the "Compare Files" tool to ensure no changes have been made since download
- If any changes are detected, discard the file and download a fresh version
The compare PDFs feature in Acrobat Pro is ideal for checking integrity across versions.
https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/fragments/roc/blog/with-acrobat-work-from-anywhere
What are some common errors users encounter when signing or verifying Aadhaar documents?
Here are some typical issues users run into:
- "Signature is not validated" message appears
- "The signer's identity is unknown" error
- Adobe Reader does not recognise UIDAI as a trusted source
- File opens with blank signature field
To troubleshoot:
- Manually add the UIDAI certificate to your trusted list
- Update Adobe Acrobat or Reader
- Re-download the Aadhaar PDF to ensure it's uncorrupted
For detailed control over PDF signature handling, Adobe offers tools under its PDF editor.
Can you sign Aadhaar-related forms digitally instead of printing them?
Yes, digital signatures are widely accepted on Aadhaar-related forms submitted for:
- Government schemes
- Bank account verifications
- Telecom KYC
You can prepare and sign forms entirely digitally by using fill and sign tools, saving time and avoiding physical paperwork.
What best practices should you follow when working with Aadhaar PDFs?
To ensure your Aadhaar document remains valid, secure and professional:
- Always validate digital signatures immediately after downloading
- Never alter the Aadhaar PDF in any way
- Avoid converting it to other formats unless required by a government portal
- Store a backup in encrypted or cloud-secured storage
- Share the document through secured channels when required
Adobe Acrobat's share and review functionality enables safe collaboration on documents while maintaining integrity.
https://main--dc--adobecom.aem.live/dc-shared/fragments/roc/blog/acrobat-reader-scan-web
Frequently asked questions.
Can I open an Aadhaar card PDF on my phone and still verify the signature?
Yes, but some mobile apps may not support full signature validation:
- Use Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile
- Ensure your app is updated
- For complete validation, use a desktop PDF viewer
How can I check if the UIDAI signature has expired?
You can view expiry information in the certificate details:
- Open signature properties
- Click "Show Signer’s Certificate"
- Check the validity date of the certificate
Do scanned copies of Aadhaar hold the same validity as e-Aadhaar?
No, scanned Aadhaar copies lack official digital signatures:
- e-Aadhaar includes verifiable UIDAI certification
- Scans cannot confirm authenticity without manual attestation
What should I do if the digital signature says it is not trusted?
You must add the signer to your trusted certificates list:
- Open certificate settings in Adobe Acrobat
- Manually trust the certificate and save settings
Is it legal to sign a photocopy of Aadhaar with an e-signature?
Yes, if accepted by the requesting authority:
- Use e-signature on copies only when specifically permitted
- Avoid modifying original e-Aadhaar content
How do I add my own e-signature to Aadhaar documents for submission?
You can add a signature using digital tools:
- Open in Acrobat
- Use "Fill & Sign" to draw, type or insert a digital signature
Can I use Aadhaar with e-signature for job applications?
Yes, many employers accept digitally signed Aadhaar copies:
- Include signed Aadhaar as part of your digital document bundle
- Ensure validity of UIDAI signature
Will modifying Aadhaar PDF to sign it invalidate the UIDAI certificate?
Yes, altering the original may break the certification:
- Sign on a copy, not the original
- Validate the UIDAI signature before sharing
Can I merge Aadhaar with other documents and still retain signature validity?
Only if the Aadhaar is not altered during merging:
- Use merge tools that maintain digital signature integrity
- Always recheck the certificate after merging
How do I secure Aadhaar PDFs before sharing them digitally?
Add protection using encryption or passwords:
- Use trusted tools to apply PDF permissions
- Limit access to sensitive data during sharing
More resources
