Signed document doesn’t properly present the visible signature

Problem description

When viewing a signed document on Adobe Reader, the visible information applied is not shown properly.

Typically the following information pop-up will be presented and an area with dotted symbols will be shown where the visible information would be expected.

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Messagem presented by Adobe Reader

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Corrupted visible information presented by Adobe Reader

What is causing this behaviour ?

This behaviour is observed when the PDF version of the original document (the one that was sent for Sign’Stash to sign) was created with an early PDF version that restricts all the functionalities of a digital signature.

Typicially all versions previous to v1.3 (release on year 2000) will not handle digital signatures correctly (for more information please consult https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_PDF).

How can I check the PDF version of my original (non-signed) document ?

When using Adobe Reader, you’ll just need to access “File > Properties” and on the “Description” tab will be presented the PDF version.

How can this be resolved ?

Unfortunately there is no other way than producing the PDF on a more recent version.

Minimum version supported is v1.3.