(Delphi DLL) Sign a PDF using SmartCard or HSM (Hardware Security Module)

See more PDF Signatures Examples

This example demonstrates how to a sign a PDF using a smartcard or HSM (hardware security module).

Note: This example requires Chilkat v9.5.0.88 or greater.

Chilkat for Delphi Downloads Chilkat non-ActiveX DLL for Delphi Chilkat ActiveX DLL for Delphi * The examples here use the non-ActiveX DLL.

uses
    Winapi.Windows, Winapi.Messages, System.SysUtils, System.Variants, System.Classes, Vcl.Graphics,
    Vcl.Controls, Vcl.Forms, Vcl.Dialogs, Vcl.StdCtrls, Pdf, Cert, JsonObject;

...

procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);
var
pdf: HCkPdf;
success: Boolean;
json: HCkJsonObject;
cert: HCkCert;

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

pdf := CkPdf_Create();

// Load a PDF to be signed.
// The "hello.pdf" is available at https://chilkatsoft.com/hello.pdf
success := CkPdf_LoadFile(pdf,'qa_data/pdf/hello.pdf');
if (success = False) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkPdf__lastErrorText(pdf));
    Exit;
  end;

// Options for signing are specified in JSON.
json := CkJsonObject_Create();

// In most cases, the signingCertificateV2 and signingTime attributes are required.
CkJsonObject_UpdateInt(json,'signingCertificateV2',1);
CkJsonObject_UpdateInt(json,'signingTime',1);

// Put the signature on page 1, top left
CkJsonObject_UpdateInt(json,'page',1);
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(json,'appearance.y','top');
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(json,'appearance.x','left');

// Use a font scale of 10.0
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(json,'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.
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(json,'appearance.text[0]','Digitally signed by: cert_cn');
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(json,'appearance.text[1]','current_dt');
CkJsonObject_UpdateString(json,'appearance.text[2]','The crazy brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.');

// Use a certificate on a smartcard or USB token.
cert := CkCert_Create();

// Provide the smartcard PIN.
// Set the smartcard PIN prior to calling LoadFromSmartcard.
// If the PIN is not explicitly provided here, the Windows OS should
// display a dialog for the PIN.
CkCert_putSmartCardPin(cert,'123456');

// Load the certificate on the smartcard currently in the reader (or on the USB token).
// Pass an empty string to allow Chilkat to automatically choose the CSP (Cryptographi Service Provider).
// See Load Certificate on Smartcard for information about explicitly selecting a particular CSP.
success := CkCert_LoadFromSmartcard(cert,'');
if (success = False) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkCert__lastErrorText(cert));
    Exit;
  end;

// Tell the pdf object to use the certificate for signing.
success := CkPdf_SetSigningCert(pdf,cert);
if (success = False) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkPdf__lastErrorText(pdf));
    Exit;
  end;

success := CkPdf_SignPdf(pdf,json,'qa_output/hello_signed_hsm.pdf');
if (success = False) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(CkPdf__lastErrorText(pdf));
    Exit;
  end;

Memo1.Lines.Add('The PDF has been successfully cryptographically signed using an HSM.');

CkPdf_Dispose(pdf);
CkJsonObject_Dispose(json);
CkCert_Dispose(cert);

end;