PDF Tools
PDF to PDF/A
Convert a PDF to PDF/A-2b — the ISO-standardised archival format required by courts, government agencies, and long-term document systems. File processed on a secure server and deleted immediately.
Frequently asked questions
- What is PDF/A?
- PDF/A is an ISO standard (ISO 19005) for long-term archival of PDF documents. A PDF/A file is self-contained: all fonts are embedded, all colour profiles are included, and external references are not allowed. Courts, government agencies, and document management systems often require PDF/A for submissions that must remain readable for decades.
- Does my file get uploaded?
- Yes. Converting to PDF/A uses a secure server running LibreOffice. Your file is sent over an encrypted connection, converted, and deleted immediately — it is never stored permanently.
- Which PDF/A version does this produce?
- The output conforms to PDF/A-2b (ISO 19005-2). PDF/A-2b is widely accepted by legal and government systems and supports modern PDF features (including transparency and JPEG 2000 compression) that PDF/A-1b does not.
- Will my PDF look identical after conversion?
- For most PDFs — especially those originally created from office software (Word, Excel, LibreOffice) — the output is visually identical. LibreOffice re-renders the PDF and embeds all fonts. Complex PDFs with unusual fonts, embedded scripts, or advanced layout features may have slight differences.
- How long does conversion take?
- Most PDFs convert in under 20 seconds. Larger or more complex documents may take up to 40 seconds.
Guide
What is PDF/A and how to convert your PDF to it
PDF/A is the ISO standard for archiving PDFs in a self-contained format. This guide explains what it is, when you need it, and how to convert your PDF to PDF/A without uploading to a third-party service.
Read the guide →