Audit Trails Overview
Proof generates two audit trails for every completed transaction: a transaction-level audit trail providing a high-level summary of key signing events (such as signer details, ID verification, and seal application) reflecting only the most recent transaction, and a more detailed, tamper-sealed document-level audit trail embedded within the document itself that records all actions on the document and is viewable in Adobe Acrobat, with both accessible to anyone who has access to the document.
The short answer: Every completed transaction on Proof generates two audit trails — one tied to the transaction, and one sealed directly to the document. Both are available to anyone with access to the document.
Here's a quick breakdown of which one to use:
- Transaction-Level Audit Trail: A summary of key events across the transaction (signatures, ID checks, seal placement, etc.)
- Document-Level Audit Trail: A detailed, tamper-sealed record attached directly to the document, viewable in Adobe Acrobat.
Transaction-Level Audit Trail
The transaction-level audit trail gives you a high-level snapshot of what happened during the signing session, such as:
- Signer names
- Signer email addresses¹
- Signer's signature and physical location (city and state) at the time of the notarization²
- Document created
- Knowledge-based authentication results
- ID verified
- Signature acceptance
- Initials acceptance
- Signature application
- Initials application
- Seal application
- Digital certificate applied
If multiple transactions were completed for the document, the transaction-level audit trail will only have information from the most recent transaction.
Footnotes
- 1.For transactions completed after July 2023
- 2.For transactions completed after November 2024
Document-Level Audit Trail
The document-level audit trail is more detailed and is attached to individual documents, tamper-sealed with the final notarization for every document signed on the platform.
The document-level audit trail:
- Includes everything in the transaction-level audit (ID verification, seal placement, etc.).
- Records whatever happens to the document, including when you place, move, or delete fields.
- Is only available in Adobe Reader or Acrobat.
Open the document in Adobe Acrobat and expand the attachments section to view the audit trail.
Summary Checklist
- Both audit trails are available to everyone with document access.
- Use the transaction-level trail for a quick summary of the signing session.
- Use the document-level trail for a complete, tamper-sealed record — open it in Adobe Acrobat.
- If multiple transactions exist, the transaction-level trail only reflects the most recent one.
If you are still unsure, the support team is available to help.
Related
Proof Business Pro | Status Tracking and Audit Trail FAQs
The Proof Business Pro platform allows users to track transaction progress and view detailed audit trails—including signer information, timestamps, locations, verification results, and document history—via the Send & Manage tab, with comprehensive transaction details accessible through various tabs such as Summary, Recipients, Document, Identity, Meeting, Notes, History, and Activity Log.
Access the Document-Level Audit Trail
Every document signed on Proof includes a tamper-sealed audit trail detailing each action, user, role, and timestamp, which can be accessed and reviewed by opening the completed document in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader app, clicking the paper clip icon to view attachments, and opening the audit trail attachment, with instructions provided for enabling the attachments panel and troubleshooting common issues.
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