The INPI summary is the official PDF document that summarises all elements of your formality (creation, modification, cessation, accounts filing, trademark filing). It's this PDF that you must sign with an eIDAS qualified signature, then re-upload to the Guichet Unique to finalise your formality.

This article details where to find this PDF, how to download it correctly, and the precautions to take before signing.

Where to find the PDF summary on the Guichet Unique

Step 1 — Connect to the Guichet Unique

Go to procedures.inpi.fr and authenticate via FranceConnect+ or your INPI account.

Step 2 — Find your formality

In your dashboard, click on "Formalities" or "My ongoing files". You'll see your formalities with their status:

Find the formality in "Awaiting signature" status.

Step 3 — Open the formality

Click on the file. You arrive at the summary page with a "Sign" or "Download summary" button.

Step 4 — Click "Download summary"

The PDF is generated dynamically and downloaded to your computer. By default, it's named something like synthese.pdf or Recapitulatif_formalite_NNNNNN.pdf.

Critical precautions before signing

To remember The Guichet Unique computes a cryptographic hash of the PDF when it generates it. When you upload it back, it compares the hashes. Any modification — even minor — causes a rejection. The PDF must remain strictly identical between download and re-upload.

What NOT to do

  1. Don't open the PDF in Adobe Reader and re-save it: even without visible modification, the metadata change.
  2. Don't print the PDF and re-scan it: it becomes an image, no longer the original.
  3. Don't compress or "optimise" the PDF with any tool.
  4. Don't fill in fields directly on the PDF.
  5. Don't rename the file with special characters or accents: some servers don't handle them well.

What TO do

  1. Save the PDF directly to a known location (Desktop, Downloads).
  2. Verify the file size and date: make sure the download is complete.
  3. Open the PDF in preview mode (Mac) or web browser to check it briefly without modifying it.
  4. Sign immediately via the qualified provider (the longer the PDF stays on your computer, the more risk of accidental modification).

How to verify the PDF is intact

If you have any doubt about PDF integrity:

  1. Open it in a system PDF viewer (Preview on Mac, Edge or Chrome on Windows).
  2. Check that all pages are present (no blank pages, no "draft" mention).
  3. Verify that the company information, formality and signer match what you provided.
  4. Note the file size (in bytes) — useful if you need to re-download to compare.

PDF downloaded? Sign it qualified in 2 minutes.

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FAQ

How long can I wait before signing?

Several days, but the longer you wait, the more risk you forget the formality. Best is to sign within 24-48 hours of generation.

Can I re-download the PDF later?

Yes, the PDF stays available in your Guichet Unique account as long as the formality isn't validated. The newly generated PDF is identical to the previous one.

What if the PDF doesn't download?

Try: another browser, private mode, disable ad blocker. If persistent, INPI server side issue — try later.

Why is the file so big?

The summary contains all attached documents (articles, AGM minutes, ID copies, etc.). It's normal to have a 5-15 MB PDF.

Conclusion

Downloading the INPI summary is straightforward. The most important is to not alter the PDF after download. Sign it directly via a qualified provider, then re-upload it to the Guichet Unique. Any modification = rejection.

Official sources