Navigate to Account Settings > Time Stamp Settings
Configure your own Time Stamp service in lieu of the default service provided.
Time Stamps and Digital Signature Compliance
Time stamps are critical in meeting US and EU digital signature compliance standards, using PADes and eIDAS, respectively. Regulations require that a digital signature securely establishes the signer's identity and the time of signing, embedding this information into the document at the time of signature.
How Time Stamps Work
- A time stamp locks the signer's identity and the document to ensure security and compliance.
- Identity can be verified through certificates, logins, or ID cards, but the time stamp must come from a trusted Time Stamping Authority.
- TSAs are third-party providers that offer timestamping services via Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).
- Adobe configures time stamps at the application, shard, and account levels.
Customizing a Time Stamping Authority (TSA)
- Adobe provides a TSA for all transactions, ensuring compliance for eIDAS customers in EMEA and other global users.
- Organizations with an existing TSA can configure Acrobat Sign to use their licensed TSA instead of Adobe's default provider.
- The Customizable Time Stamp feature allows companies to integrate their own TSA for digitally signed documents.
Ensuring Long-Term Validity (LTV)
- The timestamp ensures the signed agreement's Long-Term Validity by locking both the signature and document.
- Personal signing certificates can expire, but an LTV time stamp extends the document's validity without altering the signature's validity.
- This guarantees that the signature was valid at the time of signing and remains valid beyond the lifespan of the signer's certificate.
Customizing a Time Stamping Authority
- Adobe provides a TSA for all transactions, ensuring compliance for eIDAS customers in EMEA and other global users.
- Organizations with an existing TSA can configure Acrobat Sign to use their licensed TSA instead of Adobe's default provider.
- The Customizable Time Stamp feature allows companies to integrate their own TSA for digitally signed documents.
Approved Time Stamp Providers
Below is a list of pre-approved TSA providers. Any vendor not listed must be reviewed and approved by Acrobat Sign engineering before integration with the Adobe Acrobat Sign service.
Using a third-party Time Stamping Authority (TSA) is a paid service. If an organization uses an alternative TSA provider instead of the default Adobe-authorized time stamp, they are responsible for covering the associated costs. Adobe does not assume any expenses for third-party timestamping services.
How it’s used
Digital signatures automatically include time stamps on agreements. Once the service is set up for the account, no further action is needed.
Approved Time Stamp Providers
Below is the list of pre-qualified time stamp providers:
- Adobe Qualified Timestamp
- DigiCert Timestamp for Adobe
- GlobalSign Timestamp AATL
- InfoCert Qualified TSA
- Intesi Group
- Namirial Qualified TSA
- Notarius Timestamp AATL
- QuoVadis Europe (audited under eIDAS)
- QuoVadis Switzerland (audited under ZertES)
- Seiko Timestamp Service
- Trans Sped Qualified TSA
Enabling a Third-Party Time Stamp Provider
If you want to use a pre-qualified TSA for your account, contact Acrobat Sign Support and specify your preferred provider.
Configuring a Custom Time Stamp Provider
For providers not on the pre-qualified list, additional time is required for engineering verification to ensure compatibility. This process may take a few days.
To begin, contact Acrobat Sign Support and provide:
- The name of the service provider.
- The end-point URL for the service.
Once Support configures the end-point for your account, the Time Stamp Settings menu item will become available in your administrator's Account Settings menu.
The Server URL is only available through Acrobat Sign engineering, so if you need to change the service provider for any reason, contact Acrobat Sign Support.
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Check the Enable the following time stamp service option.
Tip:If you uncheck the Enable the following timestamp service checkbox, the Acrobat Sign default TSA is applied.
- User credentials are retained, so re-enabling the service does not require re-authentication
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Select the Add button. The Time Stamp Login Configuration overlay allows you to enter the Username and Password for your timestamp provider.
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Save once the credentials are entered.
You're returned to the Time Stamp Settings page, with your Username visible and your Password masked.
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Select the Verify Time Stamp Configuration button to ensure the configuration is working properly.
A success message should display.
Note:If there are errors, or the time stamp on the agreement is not correct, then review your setup or contact support.
Updating Credentials
To change the credentials for the configuration:
- Select the Edit button.
- The Time Stamp Login Configuration overlay will appear.
- Enter the new credentials as prompted.
- Save the changes to update the configuration.
Deleting Credentials
To remove credentials from the system:
- Select the Delete button.
- Confirm the deletion when prompted.
- Select Yes to complete the process. The credentials will be permanently removed.