My bank statement PDF has a password. Here's how I remove it without uploading the statement anywhere

Every month, I receive my bank statement as a password-protected PDF. This is perfectly fine until I need to forward it, attach it to a loan application, or merge it with other files. At that point, the password becomes an obstacle. I have found a solution to remove the password without uploading the statement to any external server.

First, I need to identify the type of password. There are two types: open password (user password) and owner password (permissions). The open password prevents the file from showing any pages until you enter the password, while the owner password allows the file to open but restricts printing, copying, and editing. I can tell which type I have by opening the file in a browser.

If a password box appears before I see anything, it's an open password. If I can open the file but can't print or select text, it's owner restrictions only. In some cases, a file may have both types of passwords. Once I know the password type, I can proceed with removing it without any online assistance.

Option 1: Using the browser's print dialog is the quickest method. Open the PDF in Chrome or Edge, type the password if it's an open password file, then select "Save as PDF" as the printer. This will create a copy of the file without a password. However, this method may lose links, bookmarks, and form fields, and the file size might change significantly.

If the PDF has a "no printing" restriction, this method might not work. For Preview on Mac, open the file with the password, then choose "File" > "Export as PDF" to save a copy without a password. Checking the encryption settings in the export dialog before saving can help avoid any issues.

Option 2: If you are comfortable using the command line, you can use a tool called qpdf. This tool rewrites the PDF without encryption, ensuring that no sensitive data is exposed during the process. To remove the password, first, create a text file with the password on the first line, then use the following command: `qpdf --decrypt --password-file= pw.txt statement.pdf statement-clear.pdf rm pw.txt`.

This command decrypts the file, removes the password, and saves the result as a new PDF file. If you're unsure whether your version of qpdf supports --password=..., you can try using --password=... instead. However, keep in mind that if your version is old, it may not have this option.

Option 3: For those who don't have access to qpdf, there's a browser-based tool available that removes passwords without sending the file to any servers. This tool reads the PDF using JavaScript inside the browser tab and writes a clear copy back to your downloads. It doesn't require any password guessing or retries, ensuring that your file remains secure throughout the process.

To use the tool, simply choose the PDF file, type the password if required, and click "Remove password." A copy named "statement-unlocked" will be saved to your downloads, ready to be used without any password restrictions. Remember to keep the original encrypted statement as your archive copy and treat the clear copy as temporary.

Do not share the clear copy with anyone, as it can be easily accessed by anyone who gets their hands on it.