Convert PDF to PDF/A for Archiving
To convert a PDF to PDF/A, upload the file and PurePDF produces a PDF/A-2b document with fonts embedded and external dependencies removed, so it renders identically decades from now. Conversion runs in your browser. Courts, governments, and archives commonly require this format.
Preserve your electronic documents for the long term with ISO-standard archiving.
Drag and drop PDF here
Runs in your browser · file never uploaded
This tool runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your file is never uploaded — it stays on your device from start to finish.
Full detail in our privacy policy.
At a glance
0 KB
Uploaded to any server
Free
No account required
None
Watermarks on your output
Start in 3 easy steps
A quick visual tour of the private PurePDF workflow.
Upload PDF
Select the document you want to archive.
Process
We prepare the file for PDF/A compliance.
Download
Get your archival-ready document.
Built for everyday PDF work
Fast, clear, and built around local browser processing.
Archival Quality
Update metadata for long-term preservation.
Local Processing
Your documents never leave your device.
Fast & Free
Convert documents instantly without software.
Try our complete PDF toolkit
Every PurePDF tool, organized by what you need to do.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Quick answers about this PurePDF workflow.
Is PDF to PDF/A conversion free?
Yes. Converting to archival PDF/A format is free with no signup.
What is PDF/A and why use it?
PDF/A is the ISO-standardized archival version of PDF. It embeds fonts and prohibits external dependencies so documents render identically decades from now. Courts, governments, and archives often require it.
Do my files get uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs in your browser — your document never leaves your device.
Which PDF/A version does the tool produce?
The tool targets PDF/A-2b, the most widely accepted level for visual archiving.
Will my document look different after conversion?
No. PDF/A preserves the exact visual appearance; it adds embedded fonts and metadata for long-term stability.
How can I verify the result is PDF/A compliant?
Open the file in Adobe Acrobat — compliant files show a blue PDF/A banner. Dedicated validators like veraPDF also confirm compliance.
What PDF/A is and how to convert a PDF for long-term archiving
The problem PDF/A solves
An ordinary PDF can depend on things outside the file: fonts installed on the author’s computer, linked content, or features that future software may not support. Open it in twenty years on a different system and it may not look the same, or may not open at all. For records that must stay readable for decades, that risk is unacceptable.
PDF/A is the ISO-standardized archival version of PDF. It requires every font to be embedded and prohibits external dependencies, so the document carries everything it needs to render identically in the future.
Who asks for PDF/A
Courts, government agencies, archives, and universities frequently require PDF/A for submissions and records. Common cases include:
- Electronic court filings and legal records.
- Theses and dissertations deposited with a university library.
- Public-sector records retention and tender documents.
- Company archives of contracts, invoices, and board papers.
Which version PurePDF produces
PDF/A comes in several parts and conformance levels. PurePDF targets PDF/A-2b, the most widely accepted level for visual archiving: it guarantees the document will look the same in the future, which is what most submission portals check for. If a recipient specifies a different level, check their requirements before converting.
Conversion does not change how the document looks. It embeds fonts and adds the metadata the standard requires; the visual appearance is preserved.
How to check that a file is compliant
Open the converted file in Adobe Acrobat: compliant files display a blue PDF/A information banner. For a formal check, validators such as veraPDF report conformance in detail, which is useful when a portal rejects an upload without saying why.
Conversion runs in your browser, so the document is not uploaded to a server during the process.
Preparing a file before conversion
If the source PDF is damaged, repair it first; archiving a broken file only preserves the breakage. Remove pages that should not be in the record, and if the portal has a file size limit, compress the PDF before converting. Password-protected files generally need the password removed first, since archival formats are meant to stay openable.
References
- ISO 19005 — PDF/A archival format — the archival conformance level this tool targets
- veraPDF — open-source PDF/A validator — independent verification that output is PDF/A compliant
Last updated