Frequently asked questions
Direct answers about PAdES digital signatures, e-signature law in Rwanda and East Africa, verification by QR code, the PDF tools, QR attendance and meeting minutes on Sealique.
About Sealique
How do I sign a PDF online with Sealique?
Upload the PDF, draw, type or upload your signature, tap where it goes and press Sign & seal; the sealed PDF carries a PAdES digital signature, a verification ID and a QR code. You can also invite other people to sign by e-mail.
Are PAdES digital signatures legally valid?
Yes in most jurisdictions: PAdES is the ISO 32000 / ETSI standard for PDF digital signatures, with a signing time, the signer's identity and a tamper-evident seal, all checked on our online verification page. Check the rules for your country and document type.
How can someone verify a signed document?
Scan the tamper-evident QR code printed in the signature block, type the verification ID on the verification page, or upload the PDF to check its seal. Printed pages can be checked individually through the page mark.
Do signers need an account?
No. Signers open a personal link, review the document and sign from any phone or computer. Creating an account takes a minute, needs no card and lets you keep your documents, folders and a saved signature.
Can I edit, split or merge a PDF before signing?
Yes. Rewrite text, add tables, cover content, reorder pages, split into parts, merge several PDFs, turn pages into images or make a PDF from photos, all with browser-based processing.
Which languages are supported?
English, French, German, Kinyarwanda and Kiswahili: the whole interface, e-mails, guides and the verification page.
Does it cost anything?
No card and no trial clock: today everything is included with an account, with no watermark and no task cap. Signers and anyone verifying a document never need an account.
Can I use it for my own paperwork, not only for an organisation?
Yes. Sign a lease, convert a CV to PDF, compress a scan for an application, merge receipts or fill a school form: every tool works for one person as well as for a team.
Who can see the documents I upload?
Only you, the people you invite to sign and anyone you explicitly share with. Files live in private, encrypted storage, never on a public link, and administrators never read document contents.
How long are my files kept?
Documents stay in your library until you delete them; the sealed copy, the certificate of completion and the audit trail can be downloaded again at any time, and you can ask for an export of your data.
How big can a file be and which formats work?
PDFs up to 50 MB per upload. The converters take Word, PowerPoint, Excel, HTML, JPG, PNG and WebP files, and a PDF can come back out as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, images or PDF/A.
Can a printed copy be verified?
Yes. Every page of a sealed PDF carries a small mark with a QR code; scanning it on the verification page confirms that the page belongs to the signed original.
Can several people sign the same document, in a set order?
Yes. Invite signers by e-mail, choose sequential or parallel signing, send reminders and follow who opened, who signed and who is next; every signer gets the sealed copy.
How does QR attendance work?
Create an event and print or display its QR code; participants scan it, fill the form and sign on their phone. The register exports to CSV and seals into a PDF that can be verified like any signed document.
What about meeting minutes and data tables?
Minutes are written together, with mentions and versions, and go for signature in one step. Data tables turn Excel and CSV files into shared tables with forms, rules, history, dashboards and an API.
Can I build a dashboard without technical skills?
Yes. Pick a table, add KPI cards, charts, pivots and text blocks, then drag them into place on a grid; Interpret writes a plain-language summary of any widget's numbers. No code and no formulas.
Can people outside my organisation see a dashboard?
Yes. Publish it on a public link that needs no account, or share it inside the app with viewer, editor or manager roles; a full-page view and PDF or PowerPoint exports cover meetings and reports.
Does it work on a phone, and can I install it?
Yes. Everything runs in the browser on any phone, including signing and QR check-in; add it to your home screen in one tap to use it like an app.
Is there an API?
Yes. A REST API with an OpenAPI description, test and live keys, HMAC-signed webhooks and public verification endpoints, so your own software can send, sign and verify documents.
What if I lose a signed PDF?
Nothing is lost: the sealed copy, the certificate of completion and the hash-chained audit trail stay in your library, and the verification ID finds the record again.
Sign a PDF
Is an online PDF signature from Sealique legally valid?
Yes in most jurisdictions: it is a PAdES digital signature with a signing time, the signer's identity and a tamper-evident seal that anyone can check on the online verification page. PAdES (PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures) is the ETSI standard for digital signatures in PDF. Check the rules that apply to your country and document type, especially for notarised or witnessed documents.
Can several people sign the same PDF?
Yes. Invite signers by e-mail, in a fixed order or all at once; each signs from a personal link and the final PDF carries every signature. You see who has signed and can send reminders. Signers never need an account.
How do I sign a PDF on my phone?
Open the signing link on your phone, draw your signature with a finger and tap where it goes; the sealed PDF is produced on the server in seconds. Sealique also installs as an app on Android and iOS from the browser menu, so it opens like any other app.
What does the QR code in the signature block do?
The tamper-evident QR code links to the verification page for this exact document, so anyone with a phone can check that the file was never changed. The block also prints the verification ID, which can be typed on the verification page when the QR code cannot be scanned.
Do I need to print anything?
No. The whole process happens in the browser, and the sealed PDF is the original; a printout can still be checked page by page through the page marks.
Verify a signed PDF
Do I need an account to verify a signed PDF?
No. The verification page is public: scan the QR code, type the verification ID or upload the PDF, and the result appears without signing in. Signing or sending a document requires an account (no card needed); invited signers and anyone verifying need none. Verification is open to anyone who receives the document, including people outside your organization.
How do I know the PDF was not changed after signing?
The result shows the tamper status: whether the sealed copy kept for that ID is intact and whether every PAdES digital signature in it is still valid. Compare your copy with the sealed copy shown on the page: it is the authoritative version. If you upload a file instead, it is judged by its embedded signatures alone: when the signed content was altered after sealing, the check fails and the status badge turns red: Invalid · modified after signing.
Can I verify a printed copy of a signed PDF?
Yes. Scan the tamper-evident QR code in the signature block or, if a signer added page marks, scan the mark on a marked page to check that page individually. The page mark proves that the code belongs to that page of the sealed document and opens the sealed copy at the same page, so you can compare the printout with it; a page whose mark does not match the sealed document is flagged.
Do I need any software to verify a signed PDF?
No. Verification is done online: scan the tamper-evident QR code, type the verification ID or upload the file, and the result appears in seconds. Nothing needs to be installed: the verification page checks the PAdES digital signature, the file fingerprint and every page mark for you.
What does the verification result show about the signers?
On a QR code or ID check: each signer's name, title and organization, the exact signing time, and the issuer of each PAdES digital signature. E-mail addresses are masked on the public page, and public verification pages are not indexed by search engines, so the document stays private to the people who hold it.
What is the verification ID and where do I find it?
The verification ID is a code in the form VF-XXXXXX-XXXXXX, printed under the date in every signature block of the sealed PDF. Type it on the verification page when the QR code cannot be scanned, for example from a photocopy or a screenshot of the document.
Sign a PDF on your phone
Can I sign a PDF on my phone without an account?
If someone sent you a signing link, yes: open it and sign, no account needed. To sign your own PDF, create an account first.
Is there an Android or iPhone app?
Sealique is a web app: open it in the browser and add it to the home screen; it then opens like an installed app.
How do I sign a PDF attached to a WhatsApp message?
Save or open the attachment in the browser, upload it in Quick Sign, sign and seal, then share the sealed PDF back into the chat.
Does my signature photo need a white background?
No. The background is removed automatically when you upload a photo of your signature; you can also use the browser background remover first.
How does the other person check my phone signature?
They scan the QR code printed in the signature block or type the verification ID on the public verification page.
Edit a PDF
Is my PDF shared with anyone when I edit it with Sealique?
No. The file is stored in your private library, the edits happen in your browser and the saved PDF is built on Sealique servers; nothing is shared with third parties. Only you can open the documents in your library unless you share or send one for signing yourself. Drafts of your edits are kept with your account so you can continue later.
Does a cover box remove the text underneath?
No. A cover box hides content visually in the saved PDF, but the underlying text stays in the file and can still be selected or extracted. A cover is a filled box laid over the page, not a redaction. For confidential data that must be removed from the file, use a true redaction tool before sharing the document.
Can I edit a PDF that is already signed?
No. A PDF that carries a digital signature is refused, because a signed document must stay exactly as it was signed. Make the changes first and sign afterwards. If a signed document needs a correction, edit the unsigned original or a fresh copy and sign that version again.
Does editing change my original PDF?
No. The original stays untouched in your library and the edited PDF is saved as a linked edited copy, so both are kept. The edited copy records what was changed and can be edited again, split, merged or sent for a PAdES digital signature like any other document.
Do I need an account to edit a PDF on my phone or computer?
Yes, you need a Sealique account: the editor keeps your documents and drafts in a private library, so it has to know who you are. The editor runs in the browser on Android and iOS as well as on a computer: tap to place text, tables or cover boxes, move them with a finger, and reorder pages in the panel. Sealique also installs as an app from the browser menu.
What files and sizes can the editor open?
Any unsigned PDF of up to 50 MB; edits save on PDFs of up to 500 pages. PNG, JPEG or WebP images above 1600 px are shrunk to that size. The file you open has to be a PDF. To turn pictures into a PDF first, use the image to PDF tool, then open the result in the editor.
Split a PDF
Does splitting a PDF with Sealique cost anything?
No. Splitting is included with an account, no card needed; signing in is required so the parts can be stored in your private library. Sign-in is needed because every part is saved as a document you own, where it can be signed or merged later.
Where does my PDF go when I split it?
Thumbnails are rendered in the browser; the split runs on the server inside your private storage, and every part is created in your private library, visible only to you. Nothing is shared with other users or made public. The parts are linked to the source document in your library and stay private until you choose to share or sign them.
Can I split a PDF on my phone?
Yes. Open the tool in your phone's browser, tap the thumbnails that belong together and press Split now; the parts are produced in seconds. Sealique also installs as an app on Android and iOS from the browser menu, so it opens like any other app.
Can I extract only a few pages instead of splitting the whole file?
Yes. Choose Pick the pages and tap only the pages you want: pages you leave out are not included in any part. You can also type ranges such as 1-3, 4, 5-8 to get one document per range. The original PDF is never changed.
Is there a file size limit for splitting?
A PDF can be up to 50 MB, and one split can produce up to 60 documents. PDFs that already carry a digital signature are refused. Each page is rendered as a thumbnail in the browser, so very long files take a little longer to show. A signed document must stay exactly as it was signed, so split it before signing, or sign each part afterwards.
Can I sign or merge the parts afterwards?
Yes. Each part is a normal document in your library: open it to apply a PAdES digital signature or merge it with other PDFs. Parts stay linked to the source document while it is in your library, so you can see which file they came from.
Merge PDFs
Does merging PDFs on Sealique cost anything?
No. Merging is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no task cap. You only need to sign in so the merged document can be saved to your library, where you can split it or send it for signing later.
Where do my files go when I merge them?
The merge runs on our servers and the result lands in your private library; nobody else can open it unless you share it or send it for signing. Library documents stay where they are and uploaded files are not stored; only the merged result is. It is kept as a derived document in the folder of the first library document (when one is used), and you can delete it whenever you like.
How many PDFs can I merge at once?
Up to 20 PDFs in one go, each up to 50 MB. When you rearrange pages in the Pages panel, the merged document can have up to 500 pages; the result of one merge can itself be added to the next.
Can I merge PDFs that are already signed?
No. A PDF that carries a digital signature is refused, because changing it would break the signature and the document must stay exactly as it was signed. Merge the unsigned versions first, then send the single merged document for signing so one PAdES digital signature covers all of it.
Can I merge PDFs on my phone?
Yes. Open Merge PDFs in your phone's browser, pick the files, tap the arrows to set the order and merge. Sealique also installs as an app on Android and iOS from the browser menu, so it opens like any other app.
Can I change the page order or rotate pages while merging?
Yes. The Pages panel shows every page of the merged document: drag a page to move it, rotate it, or take it out before you merge.
PDF to image
Is my PDF uploaded when I convert it to an image?
No. The pages are rendered in the browser; the PDF never leaves your device, and only the finished picture is uploaded when you press Save to my files. Choosing a document from your library loads it from your own account. Downloading, copying or sharing the picture sends nothing to the server at all.
Which image formats can I export a PDF page to?
PNG, JPG and WebP. PNG keeps text sharpest, JPG gives the smallest file for photos and scans, and WebP balances size and quality for the web. You also choose the quality: Standard, High (the default) or Print. Print produces the largest and sharpest picture for a few pages, which suits documents that will be enlarged or printed. The finished picture is capped at 16000 px on its longest side, so many pages stacked at Print quality are scaled down; use Grid or Download pages one by one to keep every page sharp.
How many PDF pages can I put in one image?
Up to twelve pages in a single picture, stacked one under another, side by side or arranged in a grid, in the order you selected them. For longer documents, convert the pages in batches, or use Download pages one by one to get a separate picture for each selected page.
Can I convert a PDF to an image on my phone?
Yes. The tool runs in the phone's browser: pick the PDF, check the pages, choose the format, then download, share or save the picture. The Share button appears when the phone's browser can share files. Sealique also installs as an app on Android and iOS from the browser menu. Large PDFs at Print quality take longer on a phone, so start with Standard or High.
Does the PDF to image tool cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account, which is needed to open it and to keep the pictures in your library; no card, no daily limit.
Where does the saved picture go?
Save to my files puts it under Pictures & exports in your library, where you can view it, rename or move it, or download it again later. When you save it you can name the picture and choose a folder in your library. Pictures larger than 20 MB cannot be saved; download them instead, or pick JPG or a lower quality.
Image to PDF
Where do my pictures go when I convert them to a PDF?
The pictures go over an encrypted connection to build the PDF, which is returned to you; it is kept only when a signed-in user leaves Save to my documents ticked. Ordering, rotating and arranging happen in the browser before anything is sent. Public use needs no account and nothing is stored. For signed-in users the Save box is ticked by default and can be unticked; a saved PDF appears only in that person's library.
Does converting images to PDF cost anything?
No. The Image to PDF tool is public, so you can use it without creating an account; an account only adds the option to keep the result, no card needed.
Which image formats can I convert, and is there a size limit?
PNG, JPG and WebP are accepted, up to 30 pictures per PDF and up to 20 MB per picture. Other formats such as HEIC are not accepted by the picker, so export them as JPG or PNG first. A tall picture can be cut into at most 12 pages. A PDF you keep with Save to my documents must also fit the usual document size limit, so a batch of very large photos may need to be split into two PDFs.
Can I turn a long screenshot into several PDF pages?
Yes. Paste or drop a screenshot, set Split tall pictures to Auto and anything much taller than the page is cut into page-shaped bands, or pick a fixed page count. Cutting is available with A4 or Letter in One picture per page mode. Dashed lines in the preview show roughly where the cuts will fall; the exact count can differ slightly in the finished PDF because margins are taken into account, so switch page size or orientation if a cut lands badly.
Can I make a PDF from photos on my phone?
Yes. Open the tool in your phone browser, tap the drop zone to pick photos from your camera roll, order them and download the PDF. Everything, including ordering, rotating and the preview, works in the phone browser. Signed-in users can also install Sealique as an app from the browser menu and open the converter from the PDF tools hub.
Can I sign or split the PDF after converting it?
Yes. Sign in and leave Save to my documents ticked, as it is by default: the PDF lands in your documents, ready to split, merge or sign. The saved copy can be signed with a PAdES digital signature and picked straight from your documents in the split and merge tools. Public use without an account still gives you the download, and a downloaded PDF can be uploaded to the signing, split or merge tools later.
Remove a background
Is my logo or signature uploaded when I remove the background?
No. The image is processed in the browser on your device; nothing is uploaded unless you are signed in and choose Save to my files. The page reads the pixels with a canvas in your browser, makes the background transparent and builds the PNG locally. Only the optional save for signed-in users sends the finished PNG to your library.
Does the background remover cost anything and do I need an account?
No. It is public: anyone can remove a background and download the PNG without creating an account. An account only adds the option to keep the result in your library with Save to my files and to see your recent logos. The downloaded PNG can be uploaded as your signature on the My signatures page or in the signing flow.
Can I remove the background of a scanned signature on my phone?
Yes. Open the tool in your phone browser, choose a photo of the signature, and the cleaner runs on the phone itself. Good light and a plain sheet of paper help the corner detection find the right colour. If the paper is uneven, raise the tolerance or pick the background colour by hand.
Which image formats are supported and what do I get back?
PNG, JPG and WebP images can be loaded; the result is always a transparent PNG, trimmed to the content while Trim empty margins is on. Large images are scaled down to a sensible size before processing so the tool stays fast on any device. A logo or scan on a plain, evenly lit background gives the cleanest result.
Why is part of my logo missing after removing the background?
The tolerance was too high or the logo contains the background colour; lower the tolerance, or make sure Connected to the edges (the default) is selected rather than Everywhere. Connected to the edges only removes background that touches the border of the image, so the inside of letters such as O or A stays filled. Everywhere removes every pixel close to the chosen colour.
Does the same cleaning happen when I upload a signature to sign a PDF?
Yes. When you upload a photo of your handwritten signature in the signing flow, a browser-based cleaner removes the background automatically. The cleaned signature is then placed on the page and sealed with the PAdES digital signature like any drawn or typed signature.
Edit an image
Does the image editor cost anything?
No. It needs no account and nothing is uploaded; there is no card, no watermark and no daily limit.
Can I blur or cover part of a picture?
Yes. The Cover tool draws an opaque box that is flattened into the exported picture; Highlight keeps the content visible.
Which formats are supported?
PNG, JPG and WebP pictures up to 10 MB.
Can I turn the edited picture into a PDF and sign it?
Yes. Export it, open the image to PDF tool, then sign the PDF in Quick Sign with a PAdES signature.
Word to PDF
Does the PDF look like the Word document?
Yes. The conversion uses LibreOffice on the server, which keeps headings, tables, images, margins and page breaks; unusual fonts are replaced by close equivalents. If the document relies on a font that is not installed on the server, a metric-compatible font is substituted, which can move a line or two. Check the first pages after conversion.
Does converting Word to PDF cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account; there is no card, no watermark, no page limit per day and no trial clock. Signing in is needed because the PDF is stored in your private library, where it can be signed or merged afterwards.
Which Word formats are accepted?
DOCX, DOC, ODT and RTF, up to 50 MB. Spreadsheets and presentations have their own tools (Excel to PDF, PowerPoint to PDF). The file is checked by extension and content before it is converted; a renamed file of another type is refused.
Where is my document stored?
The uploaded file is processed on Sealique servers and the resulting PDF is kept in your private library; nobody else can open it unless you share it. Only the PDF is stored as a document; the original Word file is not kept after conversion.
Can I sign the PDF right after converting it?
Yes. Open the PDF from your library and use Quick Sign or Documents to add a PAdES digital signature with a verification ID and QR code. Signers invited by e-mail never need an account.
Why does the page say a server component is missing?
The conversion needs LibreOffice on the server; when it is not installed the page says so instead of failing, and the administrator can add it. Everything else on Sealique keeps working; picture tools run in your browser and do not depend on it.
PowerPoint to PDF
Does every slide become one page?
Yes. The PDF has one page per slide, in the slide's own size (16:9 or 4:3) and orientation, rendered with LibreOffice on the server. Hidden slides are skipped, as when the deck is printed.
Are animations and speaker notes kept?
No. Animations cannot exist in a PDF, so each slide is printed in its final state; speaker notes are not included. If the notes matter, export them from the presentation software first and merge the two PDFs with Merge PDF.
Does the tool cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit. Signing in is needed because the PDF is stored in your private library.
Can I compress the PDF afterwards?
Yes. Image-heavy decks produce large PDFs; run Compress PDF on the result to shrink the pictures before e-mailing it. Compression keeps a copy, so the full-quality PDF stays in your library.
Why does the page say a server component is missing?
The conversion needs LibreOffice on the server; when it is absent the page says so and the administrator can install it.
Excel to PDF
Will wide sheets be cut across pages?
No. Columns are fitted to one page wide by default, wide sheets print in landscape and the header row repeats on every page; a saved print area is respected. Untick "Fit columns to the page width" to keep the workbook's own scaling; very wide tables then continue on the next pages in the usual print order.
Are all sheets included?
Yes. Every visible sheet is printed in order; hidden sheets are left out.
Does a CSV file work?
Yes. A CSV becomes a single sheet with a bold shaded header, thin borders on every cell, numbers typed and column widths set from the content.
Does the tool cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit. Signing in is needed because the PDF is stored in your private library.
Why does the page say a server component is missing?
The conversion needs LibreOffice on the server; when it is not installed the page says so and the administrator can add it.
HTML to PDF
Does it work with pages that need a login?
No. The server fetches the address as an anonymous visitor, so pages that require signing in return their login page; save the HTML and upload it instead. The browser's own Print to PDF is another option for such pages; the PDF can then be uploaded to your library.
Are images and styles included?
Yes. Stylesheets and images referenced by the page are fetched from public hosts and rendered; print stylesheets take precedence, as when printing. Scripts are not executed: content that only appears after JavaScript runs is not in the PDF.
Which addresses are refused?
Private and local addresses (localhost, 10.x, 192.168.x and similar) are refused for security, and a download stops after 5 MB. Redirects are followed up to three times and each target is checked again.
Can I choose the page size?
Yes. A4 or Letter, portrait or landscape, with standard margins; the page's own @page rules are respected where present.
Does the tool cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
PDF to Word
Will the Word file look exactly like the PDF?
Close, not identical. Editable text keeps paragraphs, headings, tables, pictures, fonts and colours as flowing text; Exact layout keeps every line in a positioned frame. Documents born in a word processor convert well; multi-column brochures may need their paragraph order tidied. Tables are recovered from ruling lines or from aligned columns of text.
Can I convert a scanned PDF?
Not directly: a scan is a picture. Run OCR PDF first (English, French, German or Swahili) and convert the searchable result.
Is the converted file stored?
The DOCX is kept with the job in your account so you can download it again; delete the job to remove it. The source PDF stays in your library if it came from there.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Why does the page say a server component is missing?
Only the Exact layout option needs LibreOffice; Editable text works on its own. When LibreOffice is absent the option is greyed out and the administrator can install it.
PDF to PowerPoint
Is the text editable in the slides?
Yes, when the PDF contains real text: each block of lines becomes a text box with its font size, colour, bold and italics. Scanned pages need OCR PDF first.
Do the slides keep their size?
Yes. Each slide takes the page size and orientation of the PDF page, so 16:9 decks stay 16:9.
Where does the PPTX go?
It is kept with the job in your account for download; it is not a signing document. Delete the job to remove it.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Why does the page say a server component is missing?
Only the Exact layout option needs LibreOffice; the default conversion works on its own. When LibreOffice is absent the option is greyed out and the administrator can add it.
PDF to Excel
Which tables are detected?
Tables with ruling lines first, then columns of aligned text, page by page; each becomes a sheet with one cell per table cell. Ruled tables get thin borders on every cell; text-only columns get a line under the header. Check the sheets and adjust in the spreadsheet.
What if the PDF has no tables?
The tool writes every text line to a Text sheet with its page number, so the content is still usable in a spreadsheet.
Does it work with scanned statements?
Not directly. Run OCR PDF first (English, French, German or Swahili) and extract the tables from the searchable result.
Are numbers converted to numeric cells?
Yes. Integers, decimals, percentages and currency amounts become numeric cells, with the symbol and thousands separators kept as the cell format; ISO and day-first dates become real dates.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
PDF to PDF/A
What is PDF/A?
PDF/A is the ISO 19005 profile for long-term archiving: fonts embedded, colours defined, no encryption, scripts or external references, so the file renders the same decades later. Sealique produces level 2b, which guarantees visual reproduction; it does not add a tag structure (level a).
Does the document change visually?
No. Text and images stay the same; colours are converted to RGB and fonts are embedded, which can change how a missing font is substituted.
Can a PDF/A file be signed?
Yes. PAdES digital signatures are compatible with PDF/A; sign the archive copy on Sealique and it stays verifiable online.
Is the original replaced?
No. The PDF/A file is a new document in your library; the original is kept as it was.
Why does the page say a server component is missing?
The conversion needs Ghostscript on the server; when it is absent the page says so and the administrator can install it.
PDF workspace
Does each tool create a new document?
No. Every tool edits the same pending result in your browser; one document, or one per split part, is created when you save.
Can a page be in two split parts?
Yes. Add a page to several parts; each part gets its own copy of that page.
Can I preview before saving?
Yes. Rotation, crop, order and merged pages show at once; Preview renders the server result for numbers, watermarks, redaction, compression and OCR.
What about editing text?
Text editing lives in the PDF editor. The workspace saves a copy and opens it there, and the editor can send a document back to the workspace.
Can I work on a signed PDF?
No. A PDF that carries a digital signature must stay exactly as signed; finish the pages first, then sign the result.
Rotate PDF
Can I rotate only some pages?
Yes. Type ranges such as 1, 3-5 to rotate those pages; the others are left as they are.
Is the rotation permanent?
Yes. The rotation is written into the page, so every viewer, phone and printer shows the page that way.
Does rotating change the quality?
No. Pages are not re-rendered; only their rotation attribute changes, so text stays selectable and images keep their resolution.
Can I rotate a signed PDF?
No. A PDF that carries a digital signature must stay exactly as signed; rotate before signing or work on an unsigned copy.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Add page numbers
Can numbering start at a number other than 1?
Yes. Set the starting number; Page 3 of 14 formats count from it, which is useful for bundles split across files.
Can I skip the cover page?
Yes. Type the pages to number, for example 2-20; the pages left out keep no number and the count still includes them.
Will the number cover existing text?
The number is drawn in the margin you choose (12 mm by default); increase the margin or change the corner if the page already has a footer.
Are the numbers real text?
Yes. They are drawn as text in Helvetica, so they can be selected, searched and read by screen readers.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Add watermark
Can the watermark be removed later?
The original stays in your library without it, so use that copy; a watermark drawn into a shared PDF is part of its pages.
Can I watermark only some pages?
Yes. Type ranges such as 2-10 and only those pages get the watermark.
Does the text underneath stay readable and selectable?
Yes. The watermark is drawn semi-transparent over the page; the page's text stays selectable and searchable.
Can I use my logo?
Yes. Choose a PNG, JPEG or WebP image; a PNG with a transparent background looks best. Remove background can prepare one in your browser.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no daily limit, and Sealique never adds its own watermark to your files.
Crop PDF
Is the cropped content deleted?
No. Cropping sets the visible area of the page; the content outside is hidden, not removed. Use Redact PDF to remove content for good.
Can I crop a single page?
Yes. Type that page number in the range field; the other pages keep their size.
Does cropping reduce quality?
No. The page is not re-rendered; text stays text and images keep their resolution.
Can I crop a rotated or landscape page?
Yes. The box is applied in the orientation the page is displayed, so what you draw is what you keep.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Fill PDF forms
What does flattening do?
It turns the filled values into page content and removes the form fields, so viewers show the text but nobody can change it. Flatten before sending a form that must not be altered; keep it editable when someone else still has fields to fill.
My PDF has no fields; what now?
The tool refuses PDFs without form fields; open the file in the PDF editor and add text boxes, check marks or real form fields instead.
Will the values show in every viewer?
Yes. The file asks viewers to regenerate the field appearances, and flattening draws them permanently, so phones, browsers and desktop viewers show the values.
Can I sign the filled form?
Yes. Open the filled copy and add a PAdES digital signature; a flattened form is the safest to sign because its values cannot change.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Protect PDF
What is the difference between the two passwords?
The open password is needed to read the PDF at all; the permissions password lets a reader open it freely but is required to lift the restrictions. Set only a permissions password to publish a file anyone can read but nobody can print or copy.
Which encryption is used?
AES-256, revision 6 of the PDF standard, which every current viewer opens and which cannot be brute-forced in practice with a good password.
Can I still edit or sign the protected file on Sealique?
Work on the unprotected original in your library; protect the final version last. Signing happens before protection, and anyone verifying the signature needs the open password to read the file.
Is a password the same as a signature?
No. A password keeps people out; a PAdES digital signature proves who approved the document and that it was not changed, verifiable online by its verification ID or QR code.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Unlock PDF
Can it open a PDF whose password I do not know?
No. The tool decrypts with the password you give; it does not guess, crack or bypass passwords. Ask the sender for the password or for an unprotected copy.
Why does it work without a password sometimes?
Some PDFs only restrict printing or copying with a permissions password while letting anyone read; those restrictions can be removed from a file you can already open.
Is the password stored?
No. It is used once on the server to decrypt the file and is not kept; the job records only that a password was used.
Can I protect the file again later?
Yes. Use Protect PDF on the unlocked copy to set a new password and new permissions.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Redact PDF
Is the text really removed?
Yes. Every page with a box is turned into an image with the boxes painted black, so the original text objects no longer exist in the file. Copying, searching or extracting text from those pages yields nothing; the rest of the document keeps its text.
What is the difference from the editor's cover box?
A cover box is a filled shape drawn over the page; the text stays underneath and can be extracted. Redaction removes it.
Does the file get bigger?
Redacted pages become images, so they can be larger than text pages; run Compress PDF afterwards if size matters.
Can I redact a signed PDF?
No. A sealed PDF must stay as signed; redact the unsigned original or a copy, then sign the redacted version.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Compress PDF
How much smaller will the file be?
It depends on the pictures: scans and photos often shrink by half or more, while text-only PDFs are already small and change little. The job page shows the sizes before and after, and a file that cannot be reduced is left as it was.
Does compression blur the text?
No. Text and vector drawings are kept as they are; only raster images are downscaled and re-encoded, according to the level.
Which level should I choose?
E-book for most documents; screen when size matters most; print when the pictures must stay sharp on paper.
Can I compress a signed PDF?
No. A sealed PDF must stay exactly as signed; compress before signing, or compress an unsigned copy.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
Repair PDF
What kinds of damage can be fixed?
A broken or missing cross-reference table, a damaged trailer or header, truncated or badly compressed streams and inconsistent object numbering: the usual results of an interrupted download or transfer. A file whose page content was overwritten cannot be restored; the tool then says no pages could be read.
Will all pages come back?
Every page whose content is still present is recovered; the job page shows the count. Pages whose data is missing cannot be invented.
Does repairing change the look of the pages?
No. Recovered content is rewritten as it was; objects are only renumbered and compressed.
Why must I unlock the file first?
An encrypted file cannot be rebuilt without its password; Unlock PDF removes the encryption with the password you have.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no daily limit.
OCR PDF
Does OCR change how the pages look?
No. The scan stays as it is; the recognised text is placed invisibly on top so it can be searched and selected.
How accurate is it?
Clean, straight scans at 200 to 300 dpi in a supported language read almost perfectly; faint, skewed or handwritten pages read worse. Always proofread recognised text before it is quoted; the picture of the page remains the authoritative copy.
Which languages are supported?
English, French, German and Swahili, alone or combined in one run. Kinyarwanda is not available in the recognition engine yet; Swahili and French data cover many of its letters, but results should be checked.
Is there a page limit?
Yes, 80 pages per run; split a longer scan with Split PDF and merge the results afterwards.
Why does the page say a server component is missing?
Recognition needs Tesseract and Poppler on the server; when one is absent the page says so and the administrator can install them.
Compare PDF
Does it compare the layout or the pictures?
No. The comparison is text-based: it reports differences in the words of each page, not in fonts, positions, colours or images. A moved paragraph shows as removed on one side and added on the other.
Can I compare scanned documents?
Only after OCR: run OCR PDF on both scans so they carry text, then compare the searchable copies.
What if the page counts differ?
Pages are compared by position; extra pages at the end appear as entirely added or removed.
Are the files stored?
The comparison keeps only the report with the job; the PDFs you uploaded for it are not saved as documents unless they already were in your library.
Does it cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card and no limit on the number of comparisons.
Signature requests
Do the people I invite need a Sealique account?
No. Signers open the link from the e-mail and sign on any phone or computer; an account is never required to sign.
Can signers sign one after another?
Yes. Choose sequential order when sending; each signer is invited after the previous one has signed, and reminders respect the order.
Can I add initials or a date field?
Yes. The Documents workspace offers signature, initials, text, date and checkbox fields on any page, each assigned to a signer.
What if a signer declines?
The document is marked declined with the reason; you can fix it and send a new one. Nothing is sealed until everyone has signed.
How do I know a signature is genuine?
Each sealed PDF carries a PAdES signature per signer, a verification ID and a QR code; anyone can check it on the verification page.
Can I require a one-time code before signing?
Yes. Switch on the e-mail code for the document; each signer must type the code sent to their address before the signature is accepted.
Does it cost anything?
No. Sending documents for signature is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no limit on documents or signers.
Signature maker
Is a drawn or typed signature legally valid?
The image is only the visible part; the legal weight comes from the PAdES digital signature, the identity record and the audit trail added when the PDF is sealed. Rwanda's ICT law and the East African acts recognise electronic signatures; see the legal guides.
Can I upload a photo of my handwritten signature?
Yes. Photograph it on white paper; the background is removed in your browser so only the ink is kept, with a transparent background.
Can I keep more than one signature?
Yes. Save as many as you need, for example a full signature and initials, and choose one as the default.
Do people I invite need to create a signature first?
No. On the signing page they draw, type or upload on the spot; nothing is required before opening the link.
Does it cost anything?
No. Saved signatures are part of every Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no trial clock.
Document library
Can I share a signed PDF without e-mailing the file?
Yes. Share it for viewing: the person opens it in Sealique, can download it, and loses access the moment you revoke the share.
Can someone I shared with edit or sign the document?
No. A share is view only; signing happens only through a signing invitation with its own link.
What happens to documents in a folder I remove?
They are not deleted: documents and sub-folders move up one level.
Where do edited, split or merged PDFs go?
Into the same library, marked with their source; an edited copy is a new version linked to the original.
Can I delete a sealed document?
You remove your own copy; other holders keep theirs. When the last holder removes it, the file and its verification record are deleted for good.
Is the library included with the account?
Yes. The library, folders and sharing are part of every Sealique account, with no card and no trial clock.
QR attendance
Do participants need an app or an account to check in?
No. They scan the QR code with the phone camera, fill the form in the browser and sign on the screen; nothing is installed and no account is needed. Any recent Android or iOS phone can read the code from the camera app. Only the organiser who creates the event signs in to Sealique. A participant who gives an e-mail address gets an account automatically, so they can later see the events they attended.
Can someone check in after the meeting has ended?
Not unless the organiser re-opens the link: attendance opens and closes at the times set for each day, and check-ins outside that window are refused automatically. From the event page the organiser can re-open attendance until a chosen time for late participants. For a multi-day event, each day opens at its start time and closes at its end time, or at the end of that day when none is set; adjust per-day open and close times from Link settings, so one QR poster serves the whole event without accepting entries at the wrong time.
Is a QR attendance report accepted as proof of attendance?
It depends on the audit or funding rule in question; what you get is a PDF attendance sheet sealed with a PAdES digital signature that anyone can verify online. Check the rule's requirements first. Anyone can upload the PDF on the verification page to check the signature and that the file was not altered. Each check-in also records the participant's drawn or typed signature when the organiser keeps the signature field on.
Where does the attendance data go?
Check-ins are stored in your Sealique account, visible only to the organiser and the people the event is shared with; participants who gave an e-mail see their own check-ins. Those participants find them under Events attended. The data is not sold or passed to third parties. The CSV download and the PDF report are produced on request and you keep the files.
Can I export the attendance list to Excel?
Yes. The attendance list downloads as CSV, which opens directly in Excel, at any time from the event page; the PDF download is the sealed attendance sheet. The CSV includes the custom fields of your form and follows the columns shown on the page; the signature column is not exported. The PDF is the attendance sheet itself, sealed with a PAdES digital signature.
Does QR attendance cost anything?
No. Creating events and collecting attendance is included with a Sealique account, with no card and no trial clock, and participants need no account. Participants check in from the browser without an account.
QR attendance register
Does the QR attendance register cost anything?
No. Creating events and collecting check-ins is included with a Sealique account, with no card and no trial clock; participants need no account.
Can participants check in without internet on their phone?
No. The form opens in the browser, so a data connection is needed, but it is a light page that works on 2G or 3G.
Can one QR code serve a three-day training?
Yes. One code serves every day inside that day's opening window; the list shows each day's check-ins.
How do I stop people from checking in after the meeting?
Attendance closes automatically at the day's closing time; late entries are accepted only if you re-open the link until a time you choose.
Can the register be verified by an auditor?
Yes. The attendance sheet PDF is sealed with a PAdES digital signature; uploading it on the verification page shows whether it was altered.
Does Sealique also handle the minutes of the meeting?
Yes. The event's Minutes tab holds a shared editor with mentions and versions, and the final minutes can be sent for signature.
Meeting minutes
Are digitally signed meeting minutes legally valid?
Yes in most jurisdictions: they carry a PAdES digital signature (the ETSI standard for PDF signatures) with signing time and signer identity, checkable on the online verification page. Whether minutes must be signed at all depends on your bylaws or company law. The sealed PDF proves who signed and that nothing changed afterwards; check the rules that apply to your organisation and country.
Where are my meeting minutes stored and who can see them?
Minutes stay in your Sealique account, visible to the organiser, co-authors, mentioned people, anyone you share them with and, when the event is shared with your organisation, its members. Only the people listed above can open the minutes, and access can be taken away: remove the person from the viewers list and revoke any share sent to them. A share link expires after 30 days anyway and can be revoked earlier.
Can other people help write the minutes?
Yes. Add co-authors by the e-mail of their account: they edit every section and the action points from their own account, each version records its author and can be restored. Co-authors need a Sealique account before they can be added, and only the event's managers can add them. People you only mention get view access, not editing rights. Earlier versions can be restored from the versions panel.
Can I write meeting minutes on my phone?
Yes. The editor, the preview and the signing page all work in a phone browser, and Sealique can be installed as an app from the browser menu.
What happens if someone changes the minutes after they were approved?
Your minutes are versioned as you write, with author and time for each version; once the PDF is sealed, any later change to the file breaks the PAdES digital signature. Open the versions panel to compare or restore an earlier version. Once the signed PDF has been sealed with Seal & finalize, anyone can verify it by scanning its QR code or entering the verification ID on the verification page.
Does the meeting minutes tool cost anything?
No. Writing, mentions, versions, co-authors, PDF export, approval and sharing are included with a Sealique account, no card needed, and readers open their shared link without signing in. Approvers countersign through their secure link without signing in too. An account is created automatically for each reader and approver, so they can use the same e-mail address later.
Minutes to signatures
Can attendees sign the minutes from their phones?
Yes. Each signer gets a personal link, needs no account and signs by drawing or typing; the sealed PDF carries every signature.
Can several people write the minutes at the same time?
Yes. Collaborators you add edit the same minutes; changes are saved as versions so nothing is overwritten silently.
How are action items tracked?
Mention the responsible person in the minutes; they receive access and a notification, and the item stays in the signed record.
Is the signed record accepted by auditors and donors?
It is a PDF sealed with PAdES digital signatures, a certificate of completion and a public verification page; ask your auditor which evidence they require.
What if the meeting had no QR attendance?
You can still write the minutes and send them for signature; attendance by QR is optional.
Recurring meetings
Can I skip one meeting without deleting the series?
Yes. Skip the occurrence; the series continues and the skipped date is recorded as an exception.
If I change the time, does it change past meetings?
No. Edits apply to future occurrences only; past events keep their attendance, minutes and history unchanged.
Can the series be added to Outlook or Google Calendar?
Yes. Download the .ics file from the series page and import it; every occurrence appears with its date and time.
Does every occurrence have its own attendance list?
Yes. Each occurrence is a full event with a QR code, its own participants, exports and sealed attendance sheet.
Can I set a meeting on the third Friday of every month?
Yes. Choose monthly, then an ordinal weekday: first to last, Monday to Sunday.
Does it cost anything?
No. Recurring meetings are included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no limit on occurrences.
Event pages
Do guests need an account to say they are coming?
No. The page is public: a name is enough, and an e-mail is optional. Anyone who leaves an e-mail gets a confirmation and an account created for them.
Can I hide who is coming?
Yes. Each guest chooses what to show: name and message, name only, message only, or nothing; hidden guests are counted but not listed. The host can also switch names off for everyone.
Can I limit the number of guests?
Yes. Set a capacity; once the Going count reaches it, new guests are invited to answer Maybe instead.
What happens when the event starts?
Answers close automatically at the start time; the host can close earlier but cannot re-open a started event. The page stays online for check-in and messages.
Is an event page the same as the QR attendance register?
No. The event page collects promises and check-ins by name or e-mail; the attendance register collects a form with fields and a signature inside opening windows. An attendance event can have both: switch the page on in the builder's settings.
Can people send money or gifts through the page?
The page shows the methods you enter, such as a bank account, a mobile money number, PayPal or a link; payments happen outside Sealique.
Does the event page cost anything?
No. It is included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no limit on guests.
Data tables
Can I replace Excel with an online table for my team?
Yes. Upload the workbook once; the rows live in a database table that everyone opens with their own role, so there is one copy instead of many files. Export to CSV or Excel at any time if a file is still needed for a report or another tool.
How large a file can I upload?
CSV and Excel files of up to 2 GB; the upload is chunked and the import runs in the background with progress and skipped-line reports. Very wide sheets work too: every column becomes a field, and you can skip columns in the mapping.
Can people add rows without an account?
Yes. A form with link or public access needs no account; assigned forms ask people to sign in so their rows are attributed to them. Rules still apply to form entries, so a wrong district for the chosen province is refused with a clear message.
What happens if someone imports the wrong file?
An import is one batch in the change history. A manager undoes it in one step or rolls the table back to a stamp taken before it. Stamps are quick to create; take one before any big change.
Can another application read the data?
Yes. Create an API key with the read scope and fetch rows as JSON with filters, search and paging; a write scope allows adding and editing rows. Keys are per table and can be revoked at any moment.
Can I link two tables?
Yes. Relationships in the table settings link a column to another table's column: values must exist there, forms offer them, and linked rows cannot be deleted while in use. Removing the relationship turns the column back into plain text and keeps the stored values.
Can I build a dashboard from a table?
Yes. The chart and pivot builder draws them; dashboards combine them with KPI cards and text blocks, publish on a public link and export to PDF or PowerPoint. Interpret writes a plain-language summary of a widget's numbers, and related tables can be combined through their links.
Do quality scripts change my data?
No. Scripts run in a read-only sandbox: they can read rows and flag them, but cannot write, import modules, open files or reach the network. Each run keeps its flags with a link to the row, and a time limit stops runaway scripts.
Data collection forms
Can people fill in the form without an account?
Yes. Forms with link or public access need no account; assigned forms ask people to sign in so each row is attributed to them.
Can one dropdown depend on another?
Yes. Give a choice field a parent field and options per parent value: choose a province and the district list shows only its districts.
Does it work offline in the field?
No. The form opens in the browser and needs a connection when submitting, but it is a light page that works on 2G or 3G.
Can I validate the answers?
Yes. Every entry passes the table's rules: required, unique, pattern, length, number range or sign, date range, one of a list, exists in another table.
Can I export the answers to Excel?
Yes. The table exports to CSV or Excel at any time, and the rows can also be read over the API.
Can I print a QR code for the form?
Yes. Each form with link or public access has a QR code of its link, ready for a poster or a flyer.
Does it cost anything?
No. Forms are part of the data tables included with a Sealique account: no card, no watermark, no entry cap.
Data dashboards
Can I share a dashboard with someone who has no account?
Yes. Switch on the public link: anyone who opens it sees the dashboard, with filters and PDF export, and no sign-in is required. Switch the link off or regenerate it at any time; the in-app link keeps working for people with a role.
Do viewers see all the data or only what they may access?
Viewers and public visitors see the numbers as the owner sees them, because every widget runs with the owner's access to the tables. They never see the raw rows of a table they cannot open, only the aggregated widgets of the dashboard.
Can one dashboard use tables from different projects?
Yes. A dashboard can read any table you own, any table shared with you and the tables of every project you belong to, without copying rows. Linked columns reach one step into another table, so related tables combine without an export.
Can I edit the PowerPoint before downloading it?
Yes. Choose which widgets become slides, rename the slides, write speaker notes, reorder them and preview each one before the download. The deck is a regular PowerPoint file, so the slides stay editable afterwards.
Is the interpretation generated by an AI service?
No. Interpret builds sentences from the widget's own numbers with fixed templates: totals, top groups, shares, trend and goal progress; nothing leaves the platform. The text is inserted as an editable note, so you can correct or extend it.
Organisations
Can I be in more than one organisation?
Yes. An account can own or join several organisations; each has its own members and shared items.
Do members see everything I create?
No. Events and reports are private until you share them with the organisation; tables, dashboards and documents are shared person by person.
Can a member invite other people?
Owners and admins manage members and invitations; members use what is shared with them.
Can the organisation appear as the host of an event page?
Yes. Choose the organisation as host in the event page wizard; its name appears as the host on the public page.
Does an organisation cost anything?
No. Organisations, members and sharing are included with a Sealique account: no card, no per-seat limit, no trial clock.
Sign-in sheet template
Does the sign-in sheet template cost anything?
No. The PDF is yours to download and print, no account needed.
Can I edit the template, for example to add a column?
The PDF is fixed; for custom fields create a QR register, where you choose the fields yourself and the sheet is generated from them.
Does a QR register need an app?
No. Participants scan the code with the phone camera and check in from the browser; no app and no account.
Can I get the QR register's list in Excel?
Yes. Download the list as CSV from the event page; it opens directly in Excel.
Is the exported attendance sheet signed?
Yes. The PDF is sealed with a PAdES digital signature and can be verified by anyone on the public verification page.
Verifiable certificates
Can a verification QR code be faked?
A QR code can be copied, but it opens the verification page of one specific document, whose signers and fingerprint will not match the forged copy.
Do recipients need an account to verify a certificate?
No. Verification is a public page: scan the code, type the ID or upload the PDF.
Can I verify a printed certificate?
Yes, when it carries a page mark: scanning the mark checks that exact page; the QR code in the signature block confirms the whole document.
Does the verification page reveal personal data?
It shows the signers' names, titles and organisations and the signing time; e-mail addresses are masked and the sealed PDF opens only for the holders.
Can several people sign a certificate?
Yes. Invite the signers in order or at once; the sealed PDF carries every signature and one verification ID.
PAdES explained
Is PAdES the same as a digital signature?
PAdES is the PDF-specific format for digital signatures; every PAdES signature is a digital signature, but digital signatures also exist in other formats (XAdES, CAdES).
Is a PAdES signature legally valid?
Yes in most jurisdictions: it meets the advanced or secure signature tests of eIDAS and of the Rwandan, Kenyan, Ugandan and Tanzanian laws. Whether it counts as qualified depends on who issued the certificate, not on the PAdES format.
Can I verify a PAdES signature without special software?
Yes. Upload the PDF, scan its QR code or type its verification ID on the Sealique verification page; the check runs online.
What happens to a PAdES signature if someone edits the PDF?
The signed hash no longer matches the document, so the verification page reports the file as modified after sealing. The sealed copy kept on the server also lets the page show what the original looked like.
Does Sealique issue qualified electronic signatures?
No. Sealique issues PAdES signatures under its own Root CA; qualified signatures require a certificate from a supervised qualified trust service provider.
E-signatures in Rwanda
Is an electronic signature legally binding in Rwanda?
Yes. Rwanda's ICT law of 2016 gives electronic signatures legal effect, and a secure electronic signature is treated like a handwritten one. The strength of the evidence depends on the method: a drawn signature alone is weaker than a PAdES digital signature with an audit trail.
Does Sealique issue a secure electronic signature under Rwandan law?
Sealique produces PAdES digital signatures from identities issued by its own Root CA, with the identification, control and change-detection evidence the law describes. The platform is not a government-accredited certification authority; where a filing requires a national-PKI certificate, that certificate is still needed.
Can I sign a lease or a land sale agreement electronically in Rwanda?
Transfers of immovable property were excluded from electronic form under the 2010 law; confirm the current rule with a notary before signing such a deed online. Ordinary leases and most commercial contracts can be signed electronically.
Is a PAdES signature the same as a Rwandan national digital certificate?
No. PAdES is the technical standard for PDF digital signatures; the issuer can be a national PKI or, as with Sealique, a private Root CA. Both produce verifiable PAdES signatures; what differs is who vouches for the signer's identity.
Does the signed document need to be in Kinyarwanda?
No. The law does not prescribe a language for the document; Sealique itself works in Kinyarwanda, English, French, German and Kiswahili.
E-signature law in East Africa
Are e-signed contracts valid in court in East Africa?
Yes. The statutes of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia make electronic signatures admissible; the weight depends on how reliably the method identifies the signer and detects changes. A PAdES signature with a certificate of completion and an audit trail is the kind of evidence courts look for.
Which documents cannot be signed electronically?
Typically wills, negotiable instruments, documents of title and acts that need notarisation or attestation; each country keeps its own list. Kenya's list sits in the Business Laws (Amendment) Act 2020; Uganda's in the Electronic Transactions Act 2011; Tanzania's in the 2015 Act.
What is an advanced or secure electronic signature?
A signature uniquely linked to the signer, capable of identifying them, created under their sole control and linked to the data so any later change is detectable. The wording is almost identical in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda because all four follow the UNCITRAL Model Law.
Does a signature made in Kenya count in Tanzania?
Generally yes: each law recognises foreign electronic signatures that offer a substantially equivalent level of reliability, and PAdES signatures verify identically everywhere. For public filings, the receiving office may still require a locally issued certificate.
Does Sealique use a government-accredited certification authority?
No. Signing identities are issued under the Sealique Root CA; where a filing requires an accredited national certificate, that certificate is still needed.
E-signature in Kenya
Is e-signature legal in Kenya for contracts?
Yes. Since the Business Laws (Amendment) Act 2020 the Law of Contract Act allows contracts to be executed electronically, and KICA recognises advanced electronic signatures.
Can I sign a tender document online in Kenya?
Yes, unless the tender notice requires a specific national certificate or a wet signature; a PAdES-sealed PDF with a verification ID is accepted by many buyers. Check the tender's instructions to bidders first.
Does a Kenyan signer need an account on Sealique?
No. Signers open a personal link in the browser; only the person who sends the document has an account, which needs no card.
Can the verification page be read in Kiswahili?
Yes. The verification page, the signing page and all e-mails exist in Kiswahili at the /sw/ address.
E-signature in Uganda
Is a digital signature legally binding in Uganda?
Yes. The Electronic Signatures Act, 2011 gives legal effect to electronic signatures that meet its requirements, and certificate-backed digital signatures form its strongest tier.
Can an NGO in Uganda sign donor agreements electronically?
Yes, unless the donor's own rules require a wet signature; a PAdES-sealed PDF with a certificate of completion is accepted by many funders. Ask the donor first when the agreement must be notarised.
Does a Ugandan signer need an account on Sealique?
No. Signers open a personal link in the browser; only the sender has an account, which needs no card.
Can a sealed PDF be checked without internet access?
The signature block shows the signer and time on the page itself, but the tamper check needs the online verification page, which works on any phone connection.
E-signature in Tanzania
Is a secure electronic signature required for every contract in Tanzania?
No. Parties may agree on any electronic signature; a secure electronic signature is what satisfies a statutory signature requirement under section 6 of the 2015 Act.
Can I sign documents in Kiswahili with Sealique?
Yes. The interface, signing page and verification page exist in Kiswahili; the document itself can be in any language.
Does a Tanzanian signer need an account on Sealique?
No. Signers open a personal link in the browser; only the sender has an account, and no card is needed to create one.
Will a Kenyan partner be able to verify a PDF sealed in Tanzania?
Yes. Verification is a public web page: scan the QR code or type the verification ID from anywhere in the world.
DocuSign alternative
Does Sealique cost anything?
No. Signing, verification, attendance, minutes and the PDF tools are included with an account today, no card; paid plans for larger teams may come later and will be announced.
Does DocuSign have a no-payment tier?
A limited one: at the time of writing the basic tier signs documents sent to you and allows a few sends; more sending needs a paid monthly plan per user.
Are Sealique signatures as legally valid as DocuSign's?
Both produce advanced electronic signatures with an audit trail; Sealique uses PAdES digital signatures under its own Root CA, neither issues EU qualified signatures by default. Validity depends on the law of your country and the document type, not on the vendor's brand.
Can a signer who has never heard of Sealique sign?
Yes. Signers open a personal link in the browser, read the document and sign; no account, no app.
Can I migrate from DocuSign to Sealique?
Yes. Upload your existing PDFs and keep signing; documents already sealed in DocuSign stay valid where they are.
iLovePDF alternative
Does Sealique add a watermark to the PDFs it produces?
No. No watermark, no ads and no task cap on any tool.
Do I need an account to use the PDF tools?
Remove background, edit image and image to PDF need no account; edit, split, merge and PDF to image need an account (no card) so the result can be kept.
Can Sealique compress a PDF?
Not today. Split the document or convert pages to images instead; a compression tool is on the roadmap.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
Image tools run in your browser and upload nothing; PDF edit, split and merge run on the Sealique server over HTTPS in private storage, never on a public link.
Can I sign the merged or edited PDF right away?
Yes. Every result can be signed in place and sealed with a PAdES signature and QR code.
Languages
Can I sign a document in Kinyarwanda?
Yes. The signing page, the consent texts and the e-mails exist in Kinyarwanda; the signature itself has no language and verifies the same everywhere.
Can two signers use different languages on the same document?
Yes. Each signer sees the signing page in their own language; the sealed PDF is one file for everyone.
Is the verification page translated?
Yes. Anyone verifying a document reads the result in English, French, German, Kinyarwanda or Kiswahili.
Are the guides available in every language?
Yes. Every guide and the FAQ exist in the five languages at their own address, for example /rw/guides/sign-pdf.
How do I change the language?
Use the language pill on any page; the choice is kept on your account and in your browser.
Security and trust
Does Sealique use a trusted timestamp authority?
No. The signing time is the server's time, recorded in the audit log and in the signature; no external timestamp authority is used.
Is the Sealique Root CA recognised by governments?
No. It is a private certificate authority; the signatures are verifiable online by anyone, but they are not qualified signatures under eIDAS or a national accreditation.
Can an administrator change a sealed document or its audit log?
No. Sealed files are stored read-only, audit entries are hash-chained and refuse edits, and administrators never see document contents.
What does the one-time code add?
Proof that the signer controlled the e-mail address at signing time; the code is hashed, expires after a few minutes and attempts are limited.
Why can I not download the sealed PDF from the verification page?
The verification result is public; the document itself is private to its holders, so the download appears only when you are signed in as one of them.
E-signature API
Does the API cost anything?
No. API keys and webhooks are included with every account today, and verification is public; a per-key rate limit of 120 requests per minute applies by default.
Can I verify a signed PDF through the API without a key?
Yes. GET /api/v1/verify/{verification_id} and POST /api/v1/verify are public, limited to 20 requests per minute per IP.
Which webhook events exist?
document.sent, signer.opened, signer.signed, signer.declined, document.completed, document.finalized and document.canceled, plus a ping for testing.
How are webhooks secured?
Each delivery carries an HMAC signature over a timestamp and the body, computed with the endpoint's secret; verify it before trusting the payload. Endpoint URLs are checked against private network ranges before any delivery.
Is there a sandbox?
Yes. Documents created with a test key are sandbox documents: the flow is identical but no e-mails are sent to signers.