A government portal asks for my documents in PDF/A. What is that and how do I make one?
What is PDF/A and when should I use it?
Resolved
PDF
AN
Aaron Nguyen November 7, 2026
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PDF/A is a version of PDF made for long term archiving. It requires the file to carry everything needed to display it the same way in the future, so fonts must be embedded, and features like audio, video, JavaScript and external links to content are not allowed.
To create one:
• Word: File > Save As > PDF, click Options and tick ISO 19005-1 compliant (PDF/A).
• Acrobat: File > Save As Other > Archivable PDF (PDF/A), or use the Preflight tool to convert and check.
Check the result. Portals often say which part (A-1b, A-2b) they want. PDF/A-1b is the most widely accepted, and the Word option creates that one.
The Word option created a file that the portal accepted. Thanks.