How to Validate eSign Online: A CXO’s Guide for 100% Compliant eSigning with SignDesk

With a 67% rise in digital fraud and document tampering, validating eSign online is no longer optional – it’s a must-have competitive edge.  From customer onboarding to vendor contracts and legal agreements, every e-signed document requires verification for authenticity, integrity, and legal compliance.

That’s why over 3,000 leading enterprises trust SignDesk to power their eSign workflows.  Giving compliance teams, legal heads, and CXOs the assurance they need, in just a few clicks.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explore how to validate eSign online quickly, accurately, and securely – so your business stays compliant, protected, and ahead.

What is eSign Validation?

eSign validation is the process of checking whether a digital or electronic signature on a document is:

• Authentic (signed by the right person),
• Intact (not tampered with after signing),
• Legally valid (compliant with the Indian IT Act 2000, and global standards).

A digital audit trail, which proves the integrity and legality of your document.

Step-by-Step: How to Validate eSign Online in a PDF for 100% Legal Compliance 

To validate eSign, you must follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Signed PDF

Use a trusted PDF viewer, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, to open the document containing the e-signature.

Step 2: Look for Signature Panel

Once the file opens:

• A blue ribbon or green checkmark will typically appear at the top, indicating that “Signed and all signatures are valid.”
• Alternatively, click on “Signature Panel” to see more information about the signer.

Step 3: Check Signature Properties

Click on the signature and select “Signature Properties”:

• View the signer’s name and organization.

• Verify certificate details (issued by CCA in India for DSCs).

• In the ‘Certificate Viewer’ window, click the tab named ‘Trust’.

• Click ‘Add to Trusted Certificates’. Click ‘OK’ in the pop-up that follows.

• You will be redirected to the ‘Import Contact Settings’ window.  Check (Tick) the boxes provided before Certified documents and the three other options that follow.  Then click ‘OK’ to continue.

• Click ‘Validate Signature‘ in the Signature Properties window. And then click ‘Close‘.

• Now your eSign is complete. Your eSign will have a green-colored Tick mark, which means it is validated.

Step 4: Validate Certificate Trust Chain

Ensure that the digital certificate is:

• Issued by a licensed Certifying Authority (like eMudhra, Capricorn, etc.).
• Valid and not expired.
• Not revoked or tampered with.

3 Major Reasons Why eSign Validation Online Matters More Than Ever

It’s 2025, and more than 83% of businesses have adopted e-signatures, considering them a more secure option.  From loan approvals and NDAs to procurement deals and patient records, eSignatures are everywhere.

But here’s the catch – when documents are sent without proper signature validation, millions of contracts are potentially at risk, not only legally, but financially.

Validated eSignatures create trust – not just between you and your customer, but across internal teams, regulators, and stakeholders.  Yet, it is common for people to make mistakes.

Want Help Validating eSigns? Talk to a Compliance Expert

Common Errors in Signature Validation (And How to Fix Them)

Below are three common eSigned document validation issues professionals encounter – and how you can fix them without losing time or trust.

1. Signature Not Verified

What it means: This typically occurs when you open an eSigned document in an outdated or incompatible version of PDF software (like Adobe Reader).  The tool fails to recognize or validate the signature algorithm.

How to fix it:

• Update your Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version from the official site.
• Reopen the document, and click the “Signature Panel” to refresh validation.
• If needed, manually trust the signer’s certificate.

2. Unknown Issuer

What it means: The signer’s certificate isn’t linked to a recognized Certificate Authority (CA), or your system doesn’t trust the issuing authority by default.  This breaks the trust chain.

How to fix it:

• Click on the signature → “Signature Properties” → “Show Signer’s Certificate”
• Go to the “Trust” tab → Click “Add to Trusted Certificates”
• Tick all boxes (certified documents, identity, and dynamic content), then hit OK

3. Revoked or Expired Certificate

What it means: The signer’s digital certificate was either revoked (invalidated before expiry) or has crossed its validity period.  These certificates cannot be validated unless they are replaced.

How to fix it:

✅ Reach out to the document issuer and request a new version signed with an active certificate.

✅ For internal workflows, revoke the old signing request and initiate a fresh eSign process.

By proactively managing signature validation, you protect your organization’s credibility, timelines, and legal enforceability.

Don’t leave your contracts to chance! Let SignDesk help you seal every deal – eSign securely and quickly.

SignDesk’s Compliant eSign Platform: One-Click Confidence 

Long turnaround times, rising operational costs, and mounting compliance risks are everyday hurdles – that’s where SignDesk eSign makes all the difference. We offer quick and secure e-signing, allowing you to validate it even more quickly.

SignDesk eSign: Verified, Secure, Instant e-Signing

SignDesk’s eSign platform empowers enterprises to sign, share, and store legally valid documents digitally.  The platform is fully compliant with Indian regulations like the IT Act, UIDAI guidelines, and CCA standards.

✅Aadhaar-based eSign: Easily authenticate signers with OTP-based or biometric Aadhaar verification.

✅ AI-Enabled Verification: Enhance signer identity assurance using geofencing, liveness detection, and AI-powered face match.  It’s ideal for high-value or sensitive agreements.

✅Digital Signature Certificates (DSC): Offer high-assurance signing using DSC-based signatures, best-suited for legal, financial, and regulatory documentation.

✅ Fully API-Enabled & Scalable: Integrate seamlessly into your workflows with enterprise-grade APIs, audit trails, and multi-party signing features.  Scale confidently as your operations grow.

Real Impact, Real Outcomes: Fyers’ Success Story

Take Fyers, a leading name in India’s fintech space.

They faced rising pressure from customers due to the slow and manual processing of paperwork, especially during high-volume periods. SignDesk stepped in with a customized eSign solution, designed to handle bulk signing with speed and precision.

The results?

✅Turnaround time (TAT) dropped from days to just a few hours

✅Over 1,000 eSigns processed daily, effortlessly

✅Happier customers and increased onboarding rates

Fyers didn’t just fix a broken process – they scaled faster and delivered better experiences.

Trusted by 3,000+ Businesses for a Reason

SignDesk is the go-to partner for industry leaders across finance, legal, HR, and procurement. Here’s how we help teams like yours:

What does this mean for you? Quick eSigning and faster validation = Frictionless contract closures!  Most importantly, faster, more innovative customer experiences.