Today, most of our documents are digital including the PAN card. The government issues an electronic version of the PAN card, known as e-PAN Card, which comes with a digital signature. This digital signature helps to verify that the card is authentic and has not been tampered with.
But many people face a common issue: their e pan card digital signature not verified or e pan card signature not verified. This can create problems during KYC, tax filings, or while opening a bank account. In this blog, we will walk you through everything you need to know about e-pan signature verification and how to fix the issue if your e-pan signature is not verified.
What is e-PAN?
An e-PAN is an electronic copy of your PAN card issued by the Income Tax Department. It contains all the same information as your physical PAN card: name, date of birth, PAN number, photograph, and a pan card e signature.
The digital signature on the e-PAN proves its authenticity. If this signature is not verified, the e-PAN may not be accepted by certain institutions.
e PAN Card Apply Online
Applying for an e-PAN card online is a fast, paperless process. First, visit the official NSDL or UTIITSL website. Select the e-PAN option and choose whether you’re applying with an Aadhaar number. Fill in personal details like name, date of birth, and mobile number. Upload necessary documents, including identity proof and photograph.
Verify your Aadhaar-linked OTP for authentication. After payment, a 15-digit acknowledgment number is generated. You can track your status using this number. Once approved, the e-PAN is sent via email in PDF format. It’s a secure, convenient way to get a Permanent Account Number without physical paperwork.
Why is the e-PAN Signature Not Verified?
You may see a message saying “e pan card digital signature not verified” or “e pan signature not verified” when you open the e-PAN PDF file. This usually happens for one of the following reasons:
- The PDF reader you are using does not support digital signature verification.
- The digital certificate is expired or not trusted.
- The system you are using doesn’t have the right security certificates installed.
- The file may have been altered or downloaded incorrectly.
Luckily, you can easily fix this by verifying the signature using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Read More: How To Link Pan Card With Bank Account Online?
Why is Signature Verification Important?
Verifying the signature helps confirm that your pan card e signature is valid and hasn’t been tampered with. Banks, financial institutions, and government portals often reject e-PANs if the signature is not verified.
So, if your e pan card signature is not verified, it’s important to fix the issue before submitting the document anywhere.
How To Verify e-PAN Signature Online
Follow these steps to verify your e pan signature using a free and trusted method:
Step 1: Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to verify your e-PAN’s signature. It’s free to download from the official Adobe website.
- Go to: https://get.adobe.com/reader
- Download and install the latest version.
Step 2: Open Your e-PAN PDF
- Locate your e-PAN file (usually named something like e-PAN_<PAN Number>.pdf).
- Open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader (not in the browser).
Step 3: Check the Signature Panel
- Once the PDF opens, you might see a yellow warning at the top saying “Signature not verified”.
- Click on the warning, and a Signature Panel will open on the left side.
Step 4: Verify the Signature
- Right-click on the signature and select “Validate Signature”.
- A new window will pop up with validation details.
- Click on “Signature Properties”, then select “Show Signer’s Certificate”.
- If the certificate is valid, click “Trust” and then “Add to Trusted Certificates”.
Step 5: Confirm the Verification
- After trusting the certificate, click “Validate Signature” again.
- The warning message should disappear and a green tick will appear showing the signature is verified.
Now your e pan signature verification is complete!
What to Do If the Signature Still Doesn’t Verify?
If your e pan card digital signature not verified even after following the above steps, try the following:
- Ensure the PDF is not corrupt. Download a fresh copy from the official Income Tax e-filing website.
- Make sure Adobe Acrobat Reader is updated.
- Check your system date and time: incorrect settings can affect verification.
- Disable antivirus software temporarily (sometimes it blocks the certificate verification).
- Try verifying on a different computer.
If none of these work, you can contact the PAN helpdesk for support.
How to Download e-PAN Again (If Needed)
In case the file is damaged or you’ve lost it, you can easily download it again.
Steps to Download e-PAN:
- Visit the official e-Filing Portal: https://www.incometax.gov.in
- Login using your PAN, Aadhaar (if applicable), or mobile number.
- Go to the “My Account” section.
- Click on “Download e-PAN”.
- You can download your e-PAN in PDF format for free (if issued in the last 30 days) or pay a small fee otherwise.
Tips to Avoid Signature Not Verified Errors
- Always use a trusted PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Don’t try to convert or edit the e-PAN PDF file.
- Avoid opening the file in your web browser or mobile PDF viewer for verification.
- If using for official purposes, always verify the signature before sending the document.
Final Thoughts
An e-PAN is a valid and official identity document, but it must be properly verified to be accepted by various organizations. If your e pan card signature not verified, don’t panic. The process of e pan signature verification is simple and quick when you follow the correct steps.
Making sure the pan card e signature is verified will save you from last-minute stress during KYC checks, financial applications, and tax filings. So, if your e pan signature not verified, take a few minutes and follow the steps mentioned in this guide. You will be good to go!