GdPicture.NET is a Nutrient product. Learn more

.NET PDF digital signature SDK

Sign and certify PDF documents programmatically in C#. Apply digital certificates, timestamps, and multiple signatures while maintaining PDF/A compliance. Ensure document authenticity and integrity with PKCS#12 certificates and Adobe-compatible signature modes.



Digital signatures

Sign PDFs programmatically with certificates from PKCS#12 files, Windows certificate stores, or smart cards. The SDK provides full control over signature appearance, placement, and validation — all from C# code.

Whether you need visible signatures with custom text and images, or invisible certification signatures for document integrity, the SDK handles the complete signing workflow without external dependencies.


  • Sign with PKCS#12 (.pfx), smart cards, or Windows certificate stores
  • Visible signatures with text, images, or both
  • Invisible certification signatures for document integrity
  • Timestamp support via trusted authorities
  • Multiple signatures per document
  • Signature verification and validation
  • SHA-256 encryption and Adobe PPKMS compliance
PDF digital signatures
Electronic signature

A visual mark — typed, drawn, or uploaded — that represents intent to sign. Ideal for internal agreements and low-risk approvals.

Digital signature

A certificate-backed signature that cryptographically proves signer identity and document integrity. Required for contracts and regulated workflows.

Certified document

An invisible digital signature that certifies a document as authentic and controls what changes are allowed afterward. Used for official records and compliance.

Digital certificates

Bind signer identity to a cryptographic key pair. Certificates prove authenticity of a PDF document and detect any changes made after signing.

PDF digital certificates
Modification detection and prevention

Certify documents and control what changes are permitted after signing — no changes, form fill-in only, or annotations allowed.

Standard #12

Load certificates from industry-standard container files that bundle the certificate and private key together.

Windows certificate stores

Access certificates already installed on the system — ideal for enterprise environments with centrally managed credentials.

Smart cards

Sign with hardware-protected certificates for maximum security. Select certificates by serial number for multi-card scenarios.

Security of the digital signing process

Every signature uses public key infrastructure (PKI) — your private key creates the signature, while the public key lets recipients verify it. If even a single character changes after signing, the signature becomes invalid. SHA-256 hashing and RFC 3161 timestamps provide cryptographic proof of both content integrity and signing time.


  • Digital signatures validation
  • RFC3161-compliant timestamp support
  • Use of the SHA-256 hash algorithm
PDF digital signatures security

Demo

Try digital signing in your browser

See it in action. Load a document, apply a certificate-based signature, and verify the result with our HTML5 viewer and document management kit, DocuVieware.

Loading digital signature viewer...

get started

How to use

Download and install the GdPicture.NET package to access compiled demo applications and multi-language sample projects with full source code.

Explore demo apps
Find compiled demo applications in \Samples\Bin\.
Explore multi-language source code
Find C# and VB.NET demo apps and source code in \Samples\WinForm\.
Visit reference guide
Explore other code snippets within the online reference guide.

Example of usage

The example shows how to add a certified digital signature to a PDF.

using GdPicturePDF gdPicturePDF = new GdPicturePDF();
gdPicturePDF.LoadFromFile(@"C:\temp\source.pdf");
// Set the certificate from a file.
gdPicturePDF.SetSignatureCertificateFromP12(@"C:\temp\certificate.pfx", "nutrient");
// Add additional signature information.
gdPicturePDF.SetSignatureInfo("John Smith", "Confidential", "Vienna (Austria)",
"john.smith@nutrient.io");
// Set the measurement unit to centimeters.
gdPicturePDF.SetMeasurementUnit(PdfMeasurementUnit.PdfMeasurementUnitCentimeter);
float width = gdPicturePDF.GetPageWidth();
// Select the last page.
gdPicturePDF.SelectPage(gdPicturePDF.GetPageCount());
// Define the signature boundary box position and dimensions.
gdPicturePDF.SetSignaturePos(width - 7, 10, 5, 2);
// Select the text font type.
string fontName = gdPicturePDF.AddTrueTypeFont("Freestyle Script", false, false, false);
// Save the text alignment to center in a variable.
var center = TextAlignment.TextAlignmentCenter;
// Draw the text to the signature boundary box.
gdPicturePDF.SetSignatureText("John Smith", fontName, 12, GdPictureColor.Blue, center, center, true);
// Add an image resource from a file.
string stampImage = gdPicturePDF.AddJpegImageFromFile("C:\temp\source.jpg");
// Draw the image resource to the signature boundary box.
gdPicturePDF.SetSignatureStampImage(stampImage);
// Save the output to a file.
gdPicturePDF.ApplySignature("C:\temp\output.pdf",
PdfSignatureMode.PdfSignatureModeAdobePPKMS, false);

Trusted by 3,000+ customers and Fortune 500 companies

15Y+
More than 15 years of experience developing our SDK
10K+
Trusted by more than 10,000 developers


Frequently asked questions

What types of digital certificates are supported by the GdPicture.NET PDF signature SDK?

The SDK supports various digital certificates, including those stored in Public Key Cryptography Standard #12 (PFX, P12) containers, Windows certificate stores, and smart cards. This flexibility enables users to utilize certificates from multiple sources for signing PDF documents.

Can the SDK handle multiple signatures within a single PDF document?

Yes. The GdPicture.NET PDF signature SDK allows for the application of multiple digital signatures to a single PDF document. Users can add several signatures sequentially without invalidating previously applied ones, facilitating collaborative workflows and multiparty approvals.

Does the SDK support timestamping of digital signatures?

Absolutely. The SDK includes RFC3161-compliant timestamp support, enabling users to add trusted timestamps to their digital signatures. This feature provides verifiable proof of the time at which a document was signed, enhancing the credibility and legal standing of the signature.

Is it possible to validate existing digital signatures within a PDF using the SDK?

Yes. The GdPicture.NET PDF signature SDK offers functionalities to validate existing digital signatures. It can retrieve information about applied signatures and their corresponding certificates, checking for any alterations to the document since signing and ensuring the certificate’s validity.

How does the SDK ensure the security of the digital signing process?

The SDK employs robust security measures, including the use of the SHA-256 hash algorithm during the signing process. This ensures a high level of encryption and data integrity, safeguarding the document against unauthorized modifications, and ensuring the authenticity of the signer.

Does Nutrient use the same digital signature engine in GdPicture.NET as in its web and mobile SDKs?

Yes. GdPicture.NET is part of the Nutrient product family. The digital signature engine and its support for PDF signature standards are consistent across Nutrient’s desktop, web, and mobile offerings.

60-day free trial

Try GdPicture.NET now!