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How to Remove Digital Signature From PDF? Via Guide

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Published By Nilesh Kumar
Raj
Approved By Raj
Published On December 17th, 2024
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading
Category PDF Tips

Have you ever needed to remove digital signature from PDF? It’s important for fixing mistakes or updating documents, like removing a stamp but in the virtual world. This article explains how to do it. By understanding the steps, you can keep your PDFs accurate and up to date.

Like a handwritten signature, a digital signature certifies the PDF file authenticity with encryption to prevent fraud. Plus, adding a password also makes it even safer. Sometimes, you might need to remove digital signature from PDF to make changes to the document or share it more easily.

For the same, there are various ways of doing this which we can execute the procedure: manual and automated approaches. Within this, guide you will find the reasons, instructions and understanding of each technique precisely.

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Reasons to Clear Digital Signature From PDF

There could be several reasons by which an user need to clear digital signature from PDF. Let’s get into those crucial points in below part:

  • Firstly, the signature might be in the wrong section or position of the document.
  • As, the signed PDFs are in read-only format and can’t be edited.
  • Having duplicate or unnecessary repeated signatures can clutter your file.
  • The signature could be set on the wrong version of document.
  • If you have outdated or incorrect signatures in the document. Then, it may break compliance rules and standards.

Remove Digital Signature From PDF – Explained

When there’s only one digital signature to delete from PDF. Then, first you need to figure out if it was added when the PDF was created or later.

      • If it was added during PDF creation, we locate the signature field and delete it with any visual appearance.
      • If it was added after PDF creation, we use a method to revert to a previous version of the PDF. This involves finding the second-to-last and removing everything after it to get the PDF before the signature was added.

When there are multiple signatures:

      • We only remove the most recent one without affecting the others.
      • To remove an older signature, we need to go back to the version of the PDF before that signature was added, removing all subsequent signatures added after it.

How to Remove Digital Signature from PDF Using Manual Steps

Here. we are going to show you some of the methods which directly or indirectly can help you delete digital signature from PDF efficiently without any trouble.

If you want to clear digital signature from PDF using Adobe Acrobat DC. Then, first you need to ensure that you have the passwords of all the PDFs. Remember, for any reason you misplaced your password, you can’t remove digital signature from locked PDF manually.

Let’s go through these instructions to clear the digital signature with Acrobat DC.

  • To begin with, launch Acrobat DC and accessing the PDF file.
  • Then, identify the digital signature within the document.
  • Next, right-click on the designated signature area and opt for the ‘Clear signature‘ function.
  • If you want to do for another document, then you can repeat the above steps.

Hence, within three steps you can remove digital signature from PDF efficiently, but once at a time.

Keep in mind: Using this conventional approach for the clearing signature task may downgrade the quality of your PDFs or mess up things. Also, you can erase a digital signature once at a time, for multiple portable document formats this approach is not practical. So, be prepared for these types of hassles, if you are considering this solution.

Unlock the PDF Security Settings to Remove Digital Signature From PDF

If you are facing problem to delete digital signature from PDF, then you need to check and unlock the security settings.

  • You need to save a copy of your signed PDF to keep the original one.
  • Then, open File > Properties and go to the Security tab.
  • Next, check the security Method drop-down.
  • If allowed, select “No Security” and enter the password.
  • Return to the Signatures panel and clear out the signature.

Use Print to PDF to Remove Digital Signature From PDF

If you can’t remove the signature due to restrictions. Then, you can flatten the PDF and it will remove all interactive elements which also includes the signature field.

Step 1. Open the file in a PDF reader.

Step 2. Then, go to File > Print.

Step 3. Choose a virtual printer like “Microsoft Print to PDF“.

Step 4. Now, save the new PDF by assigning the name to the file.

Step 5. Open and edit the flattened PDF. Finally, the signature will no longer be interactive.

Ultimate Solution to Remove Digital Signature From Multiple PDFs

It is evident from above that to clear digital signature from PDF manually can be both a tedious and time-consuming procedure. But, you don’t need to worry, because fortunately, there is one credible utility considered by experts that can help i.e. Best PDF Password Remover Software.

Using this, you can remove the digital signature from any PDF even if it is restricted. Plus, it doesn’t matter how large your data is, it lets you erase the signatures in one go, which the manual solution lacks. Also, this solution can clear all the protection or restrictions from the portable document format for editing, copying, signing, and many more.

What Makes the Specified Software the Most Suitable Option?

Now, just take a quick look at the advantages of opting for the aforementioned solution, with which you can understand how reliable it is.

    • With this solution, you can remove the restrictions of the PDFs, even if it is secured by owner-level security.
    • There is no requirement for any other software after downloading this because it can do everything by itself at the same time.
    • This helps add comments, sign PDFs, and remove digital signatures for easier editing and verifying document authenticity.
    • The PDF Unlocker tool lets you print protected PDFs easily, with no need for Adobe Reader/Acrobat Pro. Just click the “Print” option.
    • It keeps your file’s layout and attachments unchanged while unlocking and saving it.

Here’s How to Remove Digital Signature From PDF

Below are the guidelines to clear digital signature from PDF simultaneously using the aforementioned solution:

  • Start by downloading and opening the software.

Install PDF unlocker solution to remove digital signatures

  • Select ‘Add file/folder’ to add your PDF. Enter any password if needed.

Choose "Add files" or "Add folder" to remove digital signatures from PDF

  • Click ‘Unlock’ to remove the digital signature.

Hit "unlock" button to remove digital signature from PDF.

  • Verify the changes by opening the new PDF file.

view unlocked PDF files.

What’s Next?
After removing the digital signature, if you realize that you need to add another signature or scanned signature within PDFs. Then, you can opt for PDF Watermark Maker Software, which is a highly recommended solution to add text, images, and date & time as a watermark. With this you won’t face any hassle, just need to download it from the below button and run it. Plus, this can be operated by even naïve users.

Download Now Purchase Now

Bottom Lines

The PDF is the most preferred file format with robust security options like passwords and digital signatures. This helps to protect your documents from unauthorized access, editing, copying, or printing of your crucial data. But sometimes, to delete digital signature from PDF can be a complex task, only when if you have acquired Adobe Acrobat. This guide will show you how to remove digital signature from PDF easily with the help of mentioned utility.

  author

By Nilesh Kumar

As a Chief Technical Writer, I know the technical issues faced by home and professional users. So, I decided to share all my knowledge via this blog. I love to help you with challenges while dealing with technical jargon.