PDF to PDF/A
Turn a PDF into a PDF/A file for long-term archiving.
or drop files here
You can also paste with Ctrl+V
Runs on our servers. Encrypted in transit, deleted automatically.
About PDF to PDF/A
PDF to PDF/A converts a PDF into the ISO archival format (PDF/A-1b, 2b or 3b) that public bodies, courts and registries ask for: fonts embedded, colors defined, nothing that depends on outside resources. Conversion runs on our servers with Ghostscript.
How to use PDF to PDF/A
Add the PDF and choose the PDF/A level, usually 2b.
The file is uploaded over an encrypted connection and converted; the result is checked for the PDF/A mark.
Download the archival PDF; the upload is deleted at once.
Frequently asked questions
- Which level should I choose?
- PDF/A-2b suits almost everything and allows transparency and modern compression. Choose 1b only when a system demands it, and 3b when the PDF must carry attachments.
- Will the document look different?
- Rarely. Colors are converted to a defined color space and fonts embedded; what the level forbids, such as transparency in PDF/A-1, is flattened.
- Can a protected PDF be converted?
- No; PDF/A forbids encryption. Remove the password with Unlock PDF first.
- Do courts, registries and archives accept PDF/A-2b?
- Most ask for PDF/A-1b or 2b, and 2b is accepted wherever 1b is not demanded by name. Check the requirement and pick the level it names.
- How do I check that the result is really PDF/A?
- The file carries the PDF/A identification in its metadata, and readers such as Acrobat show a PDF/A banner. Free validators such as veraPDF confirm it too.
Related tools
- Flatten PDFMake form fields, comments and drawings a permanent part of the page.
- Compress PDFMake a PDF smaller, down to an exact size if you need one.
- Edit PDF propertiesChange or remove the title, author, keywords and other details stored in a PDF.
- Protect PDFAdd a password with strong AES-256 encryption.