Scenario 1: you need a paper copy
- Open the container in ASiCE Viewer and download the PDF.
- Print it from your PDF reader.
A printout of a digitally signed document is a copy. If an office asks for a "signed original", explain that the original is the .asice file and offer to e-mail it. Many authorities accept or even prefer the digital original.
Scenario 2: the recipient cannot open .asice
This happens with partners outside the Baltics. Options, best first:
| Option | Signature preserved? | Effort for the recipient |
|---|---|---|
Send the .asice with a link to asiceviewer.com | Yes | Open a web page and drop the file |
Send the .asice and a PDF copy together | Yes, in the container | None for reading |
| Send only the PDF | No | None |
The second option is the most considerate: they can read immediately, and the proof is attached.
Scenario 3: a form accepts only PDF
Upload forms for visas, tenders or universities often accept PDF only. Extract the PDF and upload it. If the form has a comment field, state that the document was signed digitally and the container is available on request. Where it helps, export from the Android app: the PDF then shows the signer and signing time in the page header.
Scenario 4: long-term archiving
Do not convert for archiving. Store the container unchanged. For records kept many years, PDF/A copies are useful for reading, but the evidential original remains the container, ideally at a signature level with embedded time stamp and revocation data.
Mistakes to avoid
- Renaming
.asiceto.pdf. This converts nothing. - Screenshots of the viewer. A picture of a signature card proves nothing.
- Deleting the container after extracting. You would keep the copy and throw away the original.
- Using upload-based converters for confidential contracts.
A wording that helps
When forwarding a copy, a line such as "Attached is a PDF copy for reading; the digitally signed original (.asice) is attached as well" avoids most misunderstandings. The mechanics of extraction are covered in ASiC-E to PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Is a printed copy of a digitally signed document valid?
The printout is a copy. The legally signed original is the container file, which can be validated at any time.
Can I merge the documents of a container into one PDF?
Extract them and combine them with any PDF tool. The merged file is an unsigned working copy.