Digitally Sign & Seal Documents Instructions

Once you have installed your digital certificate (browser or usb), you can export or insert it for use on other devices and/or for safe keeping in case your installed certificate is lost. It is recommended to save your certificate in two locations. (This could include your local computer or on an external drive).

• Open Microsoft Edge (preferred is Microsoft Edge)
• Select the “Gear” icon, then select Internet Options
• On Content tab, select Certificates
• Select your most current certificate (look at expiration date) issued by your certificate authority (i.e. IdenTrust) then select export
• Follow the steps in the Certificate Export Wizard, then select Next
• Select Yes, export the private key, select Next (You will need your digital certificate password.)
• Select Personal Information Exchange and include all certificates in the certificate path if possible, select Next
• Select the Password box and enter your password twice, select Next
• Select Browse
• Navigate to your chosen file location and enter a file name, select Save
• Select Next
• Select Finish
• Enter your Digital Signature Password, select OK.
  • Note: Do not select Remember Password.
• Select OK
• Select Close
• Select OK and Close Internet Browser

You will need to download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. If you prefer, uncheck the boxes for optional offers.

Signature Appearance

• Open Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and select Edit >> Preferences.
• Select Signature >> More
• Select New
• Select your signature appearance options. The options shown below will create a very simplistic signature appearance. Give your appearance a unique title. Click OK. Then select OK twice more to exist the preference menus.

Verification Preferences

• Open Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and select Edit >> Preferences
• Select Signatures >> More…
• On the Signature Verification Preferences screen, select both boxes under “Windows Integration, Trust ALL root certificates in the Windows Certificate Store for: “Validating Signatures and Validating Certified Documents”

• Select Certificates (PNG).
• Select Digitally Sign (PNG).
• If an instructions box pops up, Click OK. Then click and drag to place the signature block to the desired location (PNG).
• The “Sign with a “Digital ID” box will appear after you draw the signature block. Select the certificate from your approved signature provider (IdenTrust in the example below) and ensure your certificate is not expired. Select Continue (PNG).
• Select the signature appearance created earlier. Select Sign (PNG).
• Input your certificate signing password, then select Allow (PNG).
• Navigate to your file location, name your file and select Save (PNG).

• Right-click the signature block and select Validate Signature
• If the signature is valid, you will see a green check mark, select Signature Properties
• Select Show Signer’s Certificate…
• Ensure that the signature is issued by one of the providers on the approved list.
• If the signature is invalid, the signature could be expired or revoked, or the document could have been modified after it was originally signed.