PDF BAD PASSWORD Exception

Curtis Chau

Updated: July 21, 2026

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  # PDF BAD PASSWORD Exception The "ERROR-003" error occurs when the `user_password` and/or `owner_password` parameter in the `POST` request is incorrect. ## Recommended Resolution - **Check both USER and OWNER passwords.** The User Password is the password that you enter to view a PDF file, and the Owner Password is the one that allows you to change the PDF file. In some cases, they might be the same password, but properly secured PDFs should have different values. ### Example of Proper Password Application in cURL The following `curl` command demonstrates how to make a `POST` request to redact text from a PDF with user and owner passwords provided. ```bash curl -X POST 'https://api.securedoc.com/v1/document-services/pdfs/redact-text' \ -H 'accept: */*' \ -H 'Content-Type: multipart/form-data' \ -F 'words_to_redact="IRON"' \ -F 'user_password="1234"' \ -F 'owner_password="5678"' \ -F 'pdf_file=@YOUR_PDF_DOCUMENT.pdf;type=application/pdf' ``` - `-F 'words_to_redact="IRON"'` specifies the words in the PDF to redact. - `-F 'user_password="1234"'` provides the password to view the PDF. - `-F 'owner_password="5678"'` provides the password that allows modifications to the PDF. - `-F 'pdf_file=@YOUR_PDF_DOCUMENT.pdf;type=application/pdf'` is how you attach the PDF document to the request. [[t:(Ensure that the passwords provided match those set in your PDF file. Incorrect passwords will result in an "ERROR-003" response.)]]

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The "ERROR-003" error occurs when the user_password and/or owner_password parameter in the POST request is incorrect.

Recommended Resolution

• Check both USER and OWNER passwords. The User Password is the password that you enter to view a PDF file, and the Owner Password is the one that allows you to change the PDF file. In some cases, they might be the same password, but properly secured PDFs should have different values.

Example of Proper Password Application in cURL

The following curl command demonstrates how to make a POST request to redact text from a PDF with user and owner passwords provided.

curl -X POST 'https://api.securedoc.com/v1/document-services/pdfs/redact-text' \
  -H 'accept: */*' \
  -H 'Content-Type: multipart/form-data' \
  -F 'words_to_redact="IRON"' \
  -F 'user_password="1234"' \
  -F 'owner_password="5678"' \
  -F 'pdf_file=@YOUR_PDF_DOCUMENT.pdf;type=application/pdf'

curl -X POST 'https://api.securedoc.com/v1/document-services/pdfs/redact-text' \
  -H 'accept: */*' \
  -H 'Content-Type: multipart/form-data' \
  -F 'words_to_redact="IRON"' \
  -F 'user_password="1234"' \
  -F 'owner_password="5678"' \
  -F 'pdf_file=@YOUR_PDF_DOCUMENT.pdf;type=application/pdf'

• -F 'words_to_redact="IRON"' specifies the words in the PDF to redact.
• -F 'user_password="1234"' provides the password to view the PDF.
• -F 'owner_password="5678"' provides the password that allows modifications to the PDF.
• -F 'pdf_file=@YOUR_PDF_DOCUMENT.pdf;type=application/pdf' is how you attach the PDF document to the request.

Curtis Chau

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Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

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