(Chilkat2-Python) Sign a PDF (Simplest Possible Example)

See more PDF Signatures Examples

This example demonstrates how to a sign a PDF using mostly default options in the simplest way possible.

Chilkat2 Python Downloads install with pip pip3 install chilkat2 or download... Python Module for Windows, Linux, Alpine Linux, MacOS, Solaris

import sys
import chilkat2

# This example requires the Chilkat API to have been previously unlocked.
# See Global Unlock Sample for sample code.

pdf = chilkat2.Pdf()

# Load a PDF to be signed.
# The "hello.pdf" is available at https://chilkatsoft.com/hello.pdf
success = pdf.LoadFile("qa_data/pdf/hello.pdf")
if (success == False):
    print(pdf.LastErrorText)
    sys.exit()

# Options for signing are specified in JSON.
json = chilkat2.JsonObject()

# In most cases, the signingCertificateV2 and signingTime attributes are required.
json.UpdateInt("signingCertificateV2",1)
json.UpdateInt("signingTime",1)

# Put the signature on page 1, top left
json.UpdateInt("page",1)
json.UpdateString("appearance.y","top")
json.UpdateString("appearance.x","left")

# Use a font scale of 10.0
json.UpdateString("appearance.fontScale","10.0")

# In this example, the appearance of the digital signature will contain three lines:
# 1) The signing certificate's common name
# 2) The current date/time
# 3) Some arbitrary text.
# The keyword "cert_cn" is replaced with the Certificate's Subject Common Name.
# The keyword "current_dt" is replaced with the current date/time.
# Any number of appearance text lines can be added.
json.UpdateString("appearance.text[0]","Digitally signed by: cert_cn")
json.UpdateString("appearance.text[1]","current_dt")
json.UpdateString("appearance.text[2]","The crazy brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.")

# Load the signing certificate. (Use your own certificate.)
cert = chilkat2.Cert()
success = cert.LoadPfxFile("qa_data/pfx/myPdfSigningCert.pfx","secret")
if (success == False):
    print(cert.LastErrorText)
    sys.exit()

# Tell the pdf object to use the certificate for signing.
success = pdf.SetSigningCert(cert)
if (success == False):
    print(pdf.LastErrorText)
    sys.exit()

success = pdf.SignPdf(json,"qa_output/hello_signed.pdf")
if (success == False):
    print(pdf.LastErrorText)
    sys.exit()

print("The PDF has been successfully cryptographically signed.")

# The appearance of the signature appears in Adobe Acrobat as shown here: