Guide: Certify your first document (in 3 steps)

Blockchain timestamping sounds intimidating. Words like "hash", "cryptography", and "Bitcoin" make most people think it’s something only engineers can handle.

The truth is, BTCSeal has made this process as easy as copy and paste.

The goal of this tutorial is to take you from zero to having your first document certified on the blockchain in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee. We’ll create a seal, understand what you’ve just generated, and learn how to verify it.

What are we going to do?

We’ll take a file from your computer (any file: a PDF, a photo, a .docx, a video) and “anchor” it in the most secure ledger in the world — the Bitcoin blockchain.

What are we NOT going to do?

• We’re not going to upload your file to any server. Your document never leaves your computer. We’ll only use its digital fingerprint (SHA-256 hash).
• We’re not going to publish your private information. The hash is just a string of numbers and letters that reveals nothing about your file’s content.
• We’re not going to buy Bitcoin or install wallets. The system uses simple credits that you receive for free — and if you need more, you can buy them with PayPal.

The entire process is done through a simple web interface at btcseal.com.

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Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1: Generate your file’s hash

This is the most important part: your file is NEVER uploaded to the server. Everything happens locally in your browser.

1. Go to btcseal.com and create a free account (you get 3 free credits to try it out).
2. On the main panel, you’ll see an area that says “Drag your file here or click to select.”
3. Select the document you want to certify:
4. A contract (client-agreement.pdf)
5. A design (final-logo.ai)
6. A photo (original-photo.jpg)

7. Any file you need to prove existed at a specific date

8. Important: Your browser automatically calculates the file’s SHA-256 hash. You’ll instantly see a 64-character hexadecimal string appear. The file was never uploaded. Everything happened locally on your computer.

9. Optionally, you can save encrypted private information:

10. File name: Automatically filled in (only visible to you)
11. File path: For security reasons, this field is NOT auto-filled. It’s highly recommended that you enter it manually (e.g., /home/user/Documents/contracts/) so you don’t forget where the original file is stored.
12. Private notes: Additional context (e.g., “Signed by John Smith on 10/15/2025”)

Step 2: Create the seal

1. Give your seal a descriptive title (e.g., “Service Agreement with Client XYZ”)
2. Click “Create Seal”
3. The system will consume 1 credit from your account
4. In just a few seconds, BTCSeal:
5. Takes your SHA-256 hash
6. Sends it to the blockchain sealing network
7. Anchors it into the Bitcoin blockchain through a real transaction

Step 3: Receive your confirmation and download the (.ots) file

Once the seal is created, you’ll see the details page. The initial status will be “Pending” because the seal must be confirmed on the Bitcoin blockchain.

How long does confirmation take?

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours, depending on Bitcoin network congestion. Don’t worry — this is perfectly normal.

Automatic notifications

BTCSeal automatically checks your seal’s status every 10 minutes. Once it’s complete:

• ✅ You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details
• ✅ The status will change to “Verified”

Download your .ots file

Once your seal is verified, download the .ots file:

• Click the “Download .ots” button
• Save this file together with your original document

VERY IMPORTANT! The .ots file is your cryptographic proof. Without it, you cannot demonstrate the timestamp.

📁 My Documents/
├─ client-agreement.pdf (your original file)
└─ client-agreement.ots (your timestamp proof)

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🔒 Protect your shared documents with the Verification Banner

Once your seal is verified, BTCSeal gives you two powerful tools to protect your documents when sharing them with others:

1. Public Proof Link

You’ll receive a unique verification link that you can share with anyone. This link leads to a public page where anyone can verify that your document was sealed on the Bitcoin blockchain — no BTCSeal account required.

Example use:
- You send an important contract by email
- You include the verification link in your message
- The recipient clicks it and immediately sees the document is protected by blockchain

2. Professional Banner with QR Code

In the confirmation email you receive when your seal is verified, you’ll find an attached professional banner in PNG format. This banner includes:

• ✅ A QR code that links directly to the public proof
• ✅ The message: “DOCUMENT PROTECTED – Sealed on the Bitcoin Blockchain with BTCSeal”
• ✅ A professional design that instantly builds trust

Why is this important?

The simple fact that your documents include a visible blockchain verification banner has an immediate and powerful deterrent effect:

🛡️ Prevents tampering: Whoever receives your document knows that any modification will be detected. The original hash is anchored in the blockchain.

✅ Builds trust: You show that you take document integrity seriously and that you use cutting-edge technology.

⚖️ Avoids disputes: The exact date and content are cryptographically proven. There’s no room for “he said, she said.”

🔍 Simplifies audits: Any third party (lawyer, expert, judge) can independently verify it in seconds.

Real use cases

Business contracts: Attach the banner to every contract before sending it. If a dispute arises months later about whether the document was modified, you’ll have irrefutable proof of the original content and exact date.

Intellectual property: Send your designs, writings, music, or creations with the QR visible in the email. No one can later claim they were created on a different date or that the idea was theirs.

Legal documents: Notices, agreements, certifications, powers of attorney. The banner clearly states that the document is backed by blockchain and that any forgery attempt will be detected.

Critical communications: Emails with key decisions, approvals, or reports. The QR lets recipients instantly verify authenticity.

How to use the Banner

It’s extremely simple:

1. Download the banner from the confirmation email you receive when your seal is verified (attached PNG file named btcseal_protection_banner.png)

2. Attach it to your emails along with the protected document. You can attach it as an image or embed it directly in the email body. Remember: each QR is unique and only works for its respective document!

The recipient can:
- 📱 Scan the QR with their phone camera
- 🖱️ Click the link included in the email
- ✅ Instantly view the public proof with the hash, Bitcoin block date, and Transaction ID

The most important part: Psychological protection

It’s not just about having technical proof — it’s about making sure the other party knows you have it.

It’s like putting a visible security seal on a package: it discourages tampering before it even happens.

When someone receives a document with the BTCSeal banner:
- They know the original is protected
- They know any change will be detected
- They know the date is proven on the blockchain
- They think twice before acting in bad faith

This layer of visible protection is what makes the difference between an ordinary document and a truly shielded one. You’re not just protecting your document — you’re clearly communicating that it’s protected.

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How to verify your seal

Here’s the magic of BTCSeal: verification is independent. You don’t need to trust BTCSeal to verify the proof.

Option 1: Verify on BTCSeal

1. Go to btcseal.com/verify
2. Upload your .ots file
3. Paste your original file’s SHA-256 hash (you can regenerate it by dragging the file again)
4. Click “Verify”
5. The system will show you:
6. ✅ Hash matches correctly
7. 🔗 Bitcoin block where it’s anchored
8. 🔗 Transaction ID with a link to the blockchain explorer
9. 📋 Detailed Forensic Report expandable with all technical details

Option 2: Forensic verification (for legal use)

If you need to present the proof in court, any computer forensics expert can verify it independently using standard blockchain timestamp verification procedures and appropriate tools.

The expert will verify:
* The hash contained in the .ots file
* The Bitcoin block where it’s anchored
* The exact block date
* The full cryptographic proof chain

This is auditable by any expert, independently of BTCSeal.

Option 3: From your BTCSeal dashboard

If you’re logged into your account, you can:
* View all your seals on the main panel
* Access each case’s details
* Check its current status (Pending/Verified)

To view the full forensic report with block and transaction details, use Option 1 (verify at btcseal.com/verify by uploading the .ots and the original file’s hash).

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Common mistakes to avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Modifying the original file after sealing

Problem: If you edit your PDF (even adding a single comma) and save it, its hash changes completely.

Solution: Always seal final versions. If you make changes, create a new seal for the new version.

❌ Mistake 2: Losing the .ots file

Problem: Without the .ots file, you can’t prove the timestamp.

Solution: Save the .ots in multiple locations:
* Next to the original file
* In your cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox)
* In an external backup

❌ Mistake 3: Not saving the file path

Problem: Months later, you forget where the original file was stored.

Solution: When creating the seal, manually fill in the “File path” field. It’ll save you time later.

❌ Mistake 4: Confusing the hash with the file

Problem: Thinking that the hash “contains” your file.

Clarification: The hash is just a fingerprint. You need the original file + the .ots to prove it. The hash alone is not enough.

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What should you seal?

Now that you know how easy it is, here are real use cases:

For professionals:

• ✅ Contracts before sending them
• ✅ Business proposals before presenting them
• ✅ Important emails (exported as PDF)

For creators:

• ✅ Designs, logos, illustrations before delivering them
• ✅ Original photos before publishing them
• ✅ Music, videos, audiovisual works

For researchers:

• ✅ Papers before submission
• ✅ Experimental data
• ✅ Theses and academic work

For developers:

• ✅ Project source code
• ✅ Technical documentation
• ✅ Important commits (exported as diff)

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Bitcoin confirmation take?
It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours, depending on Bitcoin network congestion. You’ll receive an automatic email once it’s complete.

Can I use the seal before it’s confirmed?
Yes, you can download the .ots immediately and already have a valid proof. Blockchain confirmation just adds the exact block date.

Can I seal the same file twice?
Yes. Each seal will have its own timestamp. This can be useful if you need to prove the file existed on multiple dates.

What if BTCSeal shuts down?
Your proof remains valid. The .ots format is an open standard (blockchain timestamping) that any expert can verify independently using appropriate tools.

How much does it cost?
Each seal costs 1 credit (USD $1). Credits are sold in packs of 5 credits for USD $5. When you create your account, you receive 3 free credits to try the service.

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Next steps

Create your free account on BTCSeal and get 3 free credits to seal your first documents right now.

Start simple: A PDF, a contract, a photo. You’ll see how easy it is.

Share this tutorial: If you work with lawyers, designers, photographers, or developers, share this guide. Blockchain timestamping is the most reliable way to prove the precedence of a digital document.