# Validate a signature manually

You can assess the validity of a digital signature by checking the signature properties.

1. Set your signature verification preferences. For more information, see Set signature verification preferences.
2. Open the PDF containing the signature, and click the Signatures button on the left to open the Signatures panel.
3. Select the signature in the Signatures panel, and then choose Validate Signature from the Options menu. The Signature Validation Status describes the validity of the signature.
4. Click Signature Properties, and do the following:

   - If the status is unknown, click the Signer tab, and then click Show Certificate to view the details of the certificate. If you’re working with self-signed digital IDs, confirm that the certificate details are valid. If the certificate isn’t valid, request a valid certificate from the signer. Click OK.

   - Click the Date/Time tab to verify the timestamp, if needed.

   - Click the Legal tab to learn more about the legal restrictions of the signature. In the Legal tab, click View Document Integrity Properties to check if the document is PDF/SiqQ-compliant, or if it contains items that could alter its appearance.

   If the document was modified after it was signed, check the signed version of the document and compare it to the current version.

Related Information

- Validate a timestamp certificate
- Sign in Preview Document mode
- View previous versions of a signed document