Login

How to verify an electronic signature? PAdES, XAdES and CAdES. Guide

Wondering how to properly verify electronic signatures? Here are practical tips for verifying signatures in SmartSign and WebNotarius Certum applications
How to verify an electronic signature? PAdES, XAdES and CAdES. Guide
4-minute read Updated: August 18, 2026

Can PAdES, XAdES and CAdES signature formats be verified and how?

Electronic documents are becoming an everyday occurrence, and with them various formats of digital signatures: PAdES, XAdES i CAdES. Today we will explain how to check these signatures using the Asseco application: proCertum SmartSign (desktop) and SimplySign, as well as WebNotarius services from Certum.

Verification of signatures in practice

Each of these formats requires appropriate tools for verification. Let's see what this looks like for specific applications available from Asseco.

proCertum SmartSign

Application proCertum SmartSign is a comprehensive desktop solution from Asseco for handling electronic signatures. It supports full verification of files signed in formats:

  • CAdES (.p7m) - SmartSign allows you to both sign and verify documents in this format. In practice, you will easily open the .p7m file, verify the validity of the signature and extract the original document from the cryptographic envelope.
  • XAdES (.xml) - also supported, SmartSign allows verification of signatures embedded directly in XML files and those with external signature.
  • PAdES (.pdf) - Verification of PDF files electronically signed in PAdES format is also done without problems. SmartSign reads the signature, displays its validity and signature details.

proCertum CardManager

Important: proCertum CardManager is not a signature verification application! It is used to manage cryptographic cards and qualified certificates.

With it you can activate, import or export certificates, but you will not verify digital signatures in any of the formats (CAdES, XAdES, PAdES).

WebNotarius Certum

If you prefer online solutions, WebNotarius from Certum is a convenient tool that can be accessed through a web browser:

  • Supports verification of signatures in all major formats: CAdES, XAdES and PAdES.
  • A simple interface allows you to quickly check the validity of the signature and download the original document.

How to verify a signature in WebNotarius step by step

  1. Open the WebNotarius Certum page and log in to your account
  2. Select „Signature Verification”
  3. Drag or point to the document for verification (.p7m, .xml or .pdf).
  4. Wait for automatic verification of the signature - you will see information about the validity of the signature and the details of the certificate.
  5. After successful verification, you can download the original document to your computer.

How to verify a signature step by step (proCertum SmartSign)?

Open proCertum SmartSign

  • In the proCertum SmartSign app, select the “verify” option on the top bar
  • then point to a digitally signed document (.p7m, .xml or .pdf).

     

Verification

  • SmartSign will automatically verify the signature, show the validity status and details of the certificate.

     

Downloading the original

  • After successful verification, you can save the original document to your computer.

Does it verify the same in every application?

Not every electronic signature verification application works exactly the same way, although the general purpose and basic steps are similar - to check whether the signature is valid, who made it and when.

But differences emerge in the way results are operated and presented. For example:

  • proCertum SmartSign (installed desktop application) - gives lots of technical details. You can check, for example, the certificate, the time of signing, whether the document has been altered, and even extract the original document of the signature (which is important in the case of format CAdES).

     

  • WebNotarius Certum - is a web application, it works In the browser, without installation. It is simpler and more accessible, but shows less technical details.

Summary - which application should you choose?

✅ proCertum SmartSign - A comprehensive desktop solution for any format: PAdES, XAdES and CAdES.

✅ WebNotarius Certum - A quick and easy online tool to verify any signature format.

❌ proCertum CardManager - does not verify documents, it is used to manage certificates and cryptographic cards.

 

All tools can check the signature, but some are more technically advanced, and others more friendly and quick to use. The choice depends on your needs - whether you just want to confirm the validity of the signature or analyze the document in detail. For podpisano.pl customers, we especially recommend proCertum SmartSign as an essential tool for daily work with electronic signatures.

Qualified signatures SimplySign and Certum Mini

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us

+48 22 417 05 55

We'll answer your questions, find a time that works for you, and match you with an advisor at one of our locations throughout Poland.

You can also write an email from us [email protected]. 

Check also:

  • Confirmation of identity

A Foreign National Running a Business in Poland — From IDnow Identity Verification to KSeF

  • e-Delivery

E-Delivery and Qualified Signatures for Foundations and Associations — Requirements for 2026

  • Qualified Electronic Seals

e-CMR and Digital Waybills — The Role of Signatures and Seals

  • Qualified signatures

Qualified Digital Signatures for Notaries — Electronic Extracts of Deeds and CREWAN

See all

Do you need help?

Info
Dowiedz się więcej Add to cart
Info
Dowiedz się więcej Add to cart

Find what you're looking for