An electronic document control apparatus verifies that content to which a digital signature has been applied has not been altered; verifies that a referential target of a new page is a signature area to which a digital signature has been applied; if the electronic document has been imparted with a policy for permitting page layout, verifies that the referential target of a new page does not include anything other than the content to which the digital signature has been applied, and if the electronic document has been imparted with a policy for permitting page layout and background rendering of content, verifies that the referential target does not include anything other than the content and a background object of the content; and determines by using at least one of the first, second and third verification means, whether or not the edited electronic document has been altered.