TL;DR: Convert PDF to PDF/A by uploading to the Convert to PDF/A tool, picking a level (PDF/A-2b default), and clicking "Convert". The tool embeds fonts, adds sRGB color profile, removes JavaScript, and validates with veraPDF. You get a converted file plus a separate compliance certificate.
Who this guide is for
- Solo lawyers submitting to courts
- Accountants producing annual reports for archives
- Students submitting theses or dissertations
- Freelancers working with government clients
- Anyone needing to ensure a document survives 50 years
PDF/A levels - which to pick?
The ISO 19005 standard defines multiple levels. Here's what our tool supports:
PDF/A-1b (2005)
The oldest and most restrictive version. No transparency, no layers, no JPEG2000.
Fits when:
- The recipient explicitly requires PDF/A-1
- Content is simple - text + standard images
- Compatibility with legacy software required
PDF/A-2b (2011) - Recommended
Our default. Supports JPEG2000, transparency, layers, and embedded PDF files.
Fits:
- University thesis submissions
- Court filings
- Office archiving
PDF/A-2u (2011)
Same as 2b + requires Unicode for all text. Enables precise search of document content.
Fits:
- Archives needing content search
- Text-heavy documents
- Hebrew content (Unicode required for correct Hebrew)
PDF/A-3b (2012)
Supports file attachments - Excel, XML, any format.
Fits:
- E-invoicing (signed PDF + source XML)
- Financial reports (PDF + worksheet)
- Research documents (PDF + datasets)
What the tool actually does
1. Pre-analysis (pikepdf)
→ Scans fonts, encryption, JavaScript, multimedia
2. Preprocessing
→ Removes JavaScript, encryption, video/audio
3. Conversion (Ghostscript)
→ Font embedding, sRGB profile, CMYK → RGB
4. XMP metadata
→ pdfaid:part, pdfaid:conformance, title, author
5. Validation (veraPDF)
→ Checks 150+ ISO 19005 rules
6. Auto-fix (if validation fails)
→ Up to 3 correction iterations
7. Compliance certificate (reportlab)
→ Separate PDF with SHA-256 + validation report
What the tool will auto-fix
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Unembedded fonts | Re-embed |
| JavaScript | Remove |
| Encryption (no password) | Decrypt |
| Embedded video/audio | Remove |
| CMYK colors | Convert to sRGB |
| Missing XMP | Full rewrite |
| Missing ICC profile | Add sRGB |
What the tool won't fix
- Password-protected file - remove password here then convert
- Font un-embeddable due to licensing - outlined to curves
- Severely corrupted file - you get an error message
Compliance declaration - why keep the certificate
The certificate the tool produces is a separate PDF containing:
- SHA-256 hash of the converted file (unique identifier)
- Compliance level (PDF/A-2b, etc.)
- veraPDF results (rules passed, rules failed)
- UTC timestamp
- veraPDF version (1.26.2)
If the recipient (court, university) questions compliance - you simply send the certificate with the file. They can run the hash and verify it's the same file that passed validation.
FAQ
Does opening the file in Word preserve compliance? No. Opening a PDF/A in Word, editing, and re-saving breaks compliance. Don't edit the file after conversion - if edits are needed, edit the original and re-convert.
Does the file open in every PDF viewer? Yes. PDF/A is fully PDF. Opens in Acrobat, Foxit, Chrome, Edge, Mac Preview - everywhere.
Do I need a license for commercial use? No. veraPDF is open-source (MPL/GPL). Ghostscript is open-source (AGPL/commercial depending on use). Our tool is free to use.
Related links
- Convert to PDF/A tool
- PDF/A vs regular PDF - differences
- Remove PDF password (before conversion)
- Compress PDF (to shrink after conversion)
Want to convert to PDF/A now?
With full Hebrew support
Frequently Asked Questions
Which PDF/A level should I choose?
Default is PDF/A-2b - supports JPEG2000, transparency, and layers. Suitable for most university and court submissions. PDF/A-1b has maximum compatibility but no transparency. PDF/A-2u requires Unicode for search. PDF/A-3b allows file attachments (useful for e-invoicing).
What is veraPDF and why does it matter?
veraPDF is the official open-source validator from the PDF Association. It checks 150+ rules from the ISO 19005 standard. If a file passes veraPDF validation - it is genuinely PDF/A compliant, not just 'tagged' as such. Our tool shows full validation results.
Why did my file grow after conversion?
Full font embedding + ICC color profile add ~30-50% to file size. This is normal and required by the standard. A regular PDF can rely on system fonts; PDF/A must include them internally.
Do I need to remove the password first?
Yes. PDF/A forbids encryption. If the file is password-protected, remove the password first (with our Unlock PDF tool), then convert to PDF/A.
What happens to JavaScript in the file?
JavaScript is forbidden in PDF/A. Our tool removes it automatically during conversion. You will see it in the list of changes applied.
Compliance certificate - what is it worth?
A separate PDF certificate containing SHA-256 hash of the converted file, veraPDF validation results, timestamp, and a list of rules passed/failed. Useful when you need to prove to a court or archive that the file passed real validation.