Legally valid signed PDF documents for public administration and citizens. PDF-AS applies the official signature (Amtssignatur) or a qualified electronic signature to PDF documents. The signatures comply with the European PAdES standard. PDF-AS is the signature component behind key applications of Austrian e-government.
At a glance
- Official signature: authorities sign decisions and letters automatically on the server.
- ID Austria: citizens sign with a qualified signature – equivalent to a handwritten signature.
- Standards-compliant: signatures according to PAdES (PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures).
- Official layout: the visible signature follows the official signature layout and can be customised.
- Flexible: as a Java library, from the command line or as a web application.
Official signature for authorities
With the official signature, authorities prove the origin and authenticity of their documents. PDF-AS creates it on the server via MOA-SS. Authorities integrate signing directly into their applications and sign even large volumes of documents without manual effort.
In the default configuration, the visible signature appears in the official layout. Custom design requirements can be implemented. The official signature also remains effective on paper: the responsible authority can verify printed documents.
Qualified signatures with ID Austria
With ID Austria, citizens create qualified electronic signatures. They have the same legal effect as a handwritten signature. On your own computer, the easiest way is PDF-Over, which is built on PDF-AS.
For development and testing, PDF-AS can also sign with a PKCS12 file or a Java KeyStore.
Easy to integrate
PDF-AS has a modular design and adapts to the respective system landscape:
- PDF-AS Library: Java library for processing and signing PDF documents – the basis of all components.
- PDF-AS Client: command line for automated workflows and batch processing.
- PDF-AS Web: web interface for signing in the browser and interface for external applications.
Proven in e-government
Further applications are built on PDF-AS:
- PDF-Over – the desktop application for signing with ID Austria, with freely placeable signature.
- RTR signature verification – online verification of signed PDF documents.
Documentation and download
- PDF-AS handbook – installation, configuration and interfaces
- Releases and source code
