Validate PDF/A
About PDF/A Validation
PDF/A validation checks whether your document meets the ISO 19005 standard for long-term digital archiving. The validator checks:
- Metadata: PDF/A identification in XMP metadata
- Fonts: All fonts must be embedded
- Encryption: Not allowed in PDF/A
- JavaScript: Not allowed in PDF/A
- Transparency: Only allowed in PDF/A-2 and later
Note: This tool checks compliance without modifying your file. To convert a non-compliant PDF, use Convert to PDF/A.
Tips for Best Results
- PDF/A-1b is the most widely accepted archival standard
- All fonts must be embedded for PDF/A compliance
- Transparency effects may prevent PDF/A-1b compliance
- Use Convert to PDF/A to fix non-compliant documents
- Remove password protection before validating
Frequently Asked Questions
PDF/A validation verifies that your document meets the ISO 19005 standard for long-term archiving. It checks for embedded fonts, correct metadata, absence of encryption, and other requirements that ensure the document can be faithfully reproduced in the future.
Validation checks whether your PDF already meets PDF/A standards — it reports pass or fail without modifying the file. Conversion takes a non-compliant PDF and transforms it into a compliant one by embedding fonts, converting colors, and adjusting metadata.
Use our Convert to PDF/A tool to automatically fix compliance issues. The converter embeds fonts, adjusts color profiles, and removes features not allowed in PDF/A documents.
PDF/A is commonly required in government, legal, healthcare, financial services, and any sector that needs to preserve documents for regulatory compliance or long-term archiving.
Processed on ISO 27001-certified UK servers.
Files are encrypted in transit and automatically deleted.
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