Portable Document Format (PDF)

PDF stands for Portable Document Format file. This type of file is formatted to look exactly like the original document. It is comparable to someone taking a picture of the document. To view these files you need a free program called Adobe Reader^®.  

The Adobe Reader^® program lets you download, view, and print PDF files. Adobe^® distributes Adobe Reader^® free-of-charge by allowing users to download it from their Web site. We suggest that you use Adobe Reader^® version 3.01 or later for viewing the PDF documents on this Web site.

Many publications and forms are available in Portable Document Format (PDF) on our site.

Characteristics of PDF-formatted files

• Are downloaded to your computer and viewed on Adobe Reader®.
• Are saved in original print format, including all original graphics and fonts.
• Print out exactly like the original printed (paper-copy) document.
• Are formatted specifically for your printer.

Note on forms: Adobe Reader^® does not allow users to save completed fillable PDFs to their computer. Refer to the Adobe^® Web site for more information on fillable PDFs.

Download time

To better estimate the amount of time it will take to download a file, refer to the tables below. These tables list the larger file sizes along with estimates of the time it will take to download these files. The estimates are an average for users downloading the product with a 28.8KB or 56KB modem. The speed of the modem and the number of people viewing the Web site at any given time affects download time.

Last Revised:  June 30, 2008 .