Digital Signature Validation: Question Mark on Aadhaar or Birth Certificate? Easy Way to Verify Digital Signature at Home

Digital Signature Validation: In today’s digital era, we often download crucial government documents like Aadhaar cards, Ration cards, Birth certificates, or Income certificates directly from online portals. However, a common issue arises when we open these downloaded PDF files: instead of a valid signature, we see a yellow question mark (?) or the text “Signature Not Verified” in the signature box. Many government and private offices refuse to accept printouts of documents displaying this question mark, causing unnecessary hassle for the public. But there is no need to worry; you can easily resolve this issue from the comfort of your home. In this report, we will guide you through the complete step-by-step process of validating a digital signature and converting it into a “Green Tick”.

The Importance of Digital Signature Verification

A digital signature on an online document signifies that the document is authentic and authorized by the issuing authority. However, when a question mark appears, the validity of the document remains unverified by your software. Therefore, it is essential to validate or verify the signature before printing the document. Once verified, a green checkmark appears on the document, and this mark remains visible even on the printed copy, making it universally acceptable.

Prerequisites

To perform this task, you must have the Adobe Reader software installed on your computer or laptop. If you do not have it, you can simply search for it on Google and download it for free from Adobe’s official website. Please note that this process is often difficult to execute correctly on mobile phones, so using a PC or laptop is highly recommended.

Step-by-Step Signature Validation Process

Once you have Adobe Reader installed, follow the steps below to verify your document’s signature in just a few minutes:

1. Open the File: First, open the PDF file (such as an Aadhaar or Birth Certificate) that you need to validate in Adobe Reader. If you see ‘Validity Unknown’ or a question mark where the signature should be, proceed to the next step.
2. Signature Properties: Right-click on the question mark or the signature box using your mouse. A menu will appear; select the Signature Properties option from this list.
3. View Certificate: A new pop-up window will open. Here, you need to click on the Show Signer’s Certificate button. This will display the details of the signer.
4. Update Trust Settings: Navigate to the Trust tab located within that window. You might notice red cross marks on several options. Click on the Add to Trusted Certificates button at the bottom and click OK to confirm.
5. Certified Documents: This is a crucial step. A new window will appear where you must check the box labeled Certified documents. Just below this, there will be three more sub-options or checkboxes; make sure to tick all of them as well. Finally, click OK to exit this dialog.
6. Final Validation: Close the smaller windows and return to the main Signature Properties window. You will see a button labeled Validate Signature. Click on it to complete the process.

The Result

As soon as you click on Validate Signature, you will see the yellow question mark instantly transform into a bright green checkmark (Green Tick), accompanied by the text Signature Valid.

Once you configure these settings on your computer, signatures on most documents downloaded in the future may validate automatically. After validation, simply save and print the document; the green tick will appear on the hard copy, proving the validity of your document. This simple technical knowledge can save you from unnecessary trips to cyber cafes.