Using the tools
Someone says my signature is not valid
The difference between a drawn signature, a digital certificate signature, and a qualified e-signature.
Updated
Three different things called “signature”
A drawn signature on a PDF is an image placed on the page. It is legally useful in many ordinary situations, but it carries no cryptographic proof of who signed or when.
A digital certificate signature uses a key and a certificate to prove the file was not changed after signing. A qualified signature uses a certificate issued to a verified identity under a regulation such as eIDAS. The three are not interchangeable, and a recipient asking for one will not accept another.
What PDFTrusted offers
PDFTrusted places a drawn signature on the document in your browser. It is not a qualified certificate signature and we do not claim it is. If a contract needs one, use a dedicated trust service provider.
Before you send
Ask the recipient what they need. If the answer is “just a signature”, a drawn signature is usually fine. If the answer mentions certificates, qualified signatures or eIDAS, stop and use the right provider.
Tools mentioned
Still stuck?
Tell us the tool, the file size and the exact error text. That is usually enough to reproduce it.