How do I convert a PDF to PDF/A for archiving?
To convert PDF to PDF/A, upload your PDF to FixDoks's PDF to PDF/A tool, pick the PDF/A version your portal or archive requires, then click Convert to PDF/A. Fonts get embedded, colours are standardised and features like scripts or encryption are removed. Your file is uploaded over HTTPS and deleted after conversion.
PDF to PDF/A at a glance
| Input | |
|---|---|
| Output | PDF/A-1b, 2b or 3b |
| Processing | On our server over HTTPS; files are deleted right after conversion |
| Max file size | 50 MB per file |
| Price | Free, no watermark |
| Download | Free Google sign-in |
| Works on | Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone |
How to use PDF to PDF/A Converter
- Click Select PDF files and choose your PDF.
- Pick the PDF/A version your court, portal or archive requires. PDF/A-2b suits most cases.
- Click Convert to PDF/A and download the archive copy.
What is PDF/A?
PDF/A is an ISO standard (ISO 19005) version of PDF designed for long-term archiving. A normal PDF can depend on things outside the file: fonts installed on your computer, colour settings, links to external content, or scripts. In 20 years those may not exist. A PDF/A file is self-contained, so it will display exactly the same way decades from now, on any software.
Courts, tax departments, company registries, universities (for theses) and many businesses ask for PDF/A when documents are filed or archived.
What the conversion changes
- Fonts are embedded in the file, so text never falls back to a different typeface.
- Colours are standardised with an embedded colour profile.
- Forbidden features are removed: JavaScript, embedded audio and video, and encryption are not allowed in PDF/A.
- Metadata (title, author, dates) is written in the standard XMP format, with the PDF/A identification.
Which version should I choose?
| Version | Based on | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PDF/A-1b | PDF 1.4 | The original standard. Choose it only if a system explicitly asks for PDF/A-1. No transparency allowed, so some graphics are flattened. |
| PDF/A-2b | PDF 1.7 | The best general choice. Supports transparency, layers and better compression. |
| PDF/A-3b | PDF 1.7 | Like 2b, and also permits file attachments (used for e-invoices). |
The "b" (basic) level guarantees the document will look the same in the future. It is the level most portals ask for.
Scanned documents
A scan converted to PDF/A is still just images. If the archive or portal needs searchable text, run OCR PDF first, then convert the result to PDF/A.
Validation
The conversion targets full compliance and in the rare case that some content cannot be made compliant, you will see a note. If your recipient validates files strictly, you can check the result with a free validator such as veraPDF.
Archiving your own records
PDF/A is not only for courts and companies. Converting important personal documents such as property papers, insurance policies, degree certificates and tax returns to PDF/A is a simple way to make sure they still open correctly many years from now, whatever software you use then. Combine it with OCR so the archive is also searchable.
Signed PDFs
Converting rewrites the file, which invalidates any existing digital signature. If a document must stay digitally signed, convert it to PDF/A first and sign the PDF/A copy afterwards, or ask the signer for a PDF/A version.
Your PDF is converted on our server and deleted immediately after the PDF/A copy is returned.