In your browser
- Open Sign PDF and drop in the document.
- Draw your signature with a mouse or finger, type your name, or upload a photo of your signature.
- Click Place signature, click where it goes on the page, then drag and resize it. Add the date the same way.
- Download the signed PDF.
The document and your signature stay on your device; nothing is uploaded.
On a Mac: Preview
Open the PDF in Preview, show the Markup toolbar, click the Sign button and create a signature with the trackpad or by holding a signed piece of paper up to the camera. Click it to place it, then drag to position it.
On an iPhone or iPad
Open the PDF in the Files app, tap the Markup button, tap + and choose Add Signature.
With Adobe Acrobat Reader
The free Acrobat Reader on Windows and Mac has a Fill & Sign tool that adds a drawn, typed or image signature.
Is it legally valid?
Electronic signatures like these are accepted for many everyday documents in the US, UK and EU, such as rental agreements and consent forms. Some documents, such as wills and certain government forms, have stricter rules, so check what the recipient requires.
Electronic and digital signatures
- An electronic signature is a drawn, typed or pictured signature placed on the page, which is what the methods above make. It shows agreement, but anyone could copy the image.
- A digital signature uses a certificate tied to the signer. It is stored inside the PDF, and the reader shows a warning if the file is changed after signing.
In the EU, eIDAS defines simple, advanced and qualified electronic signatures, and only a qualified one has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature everywhere in the EU. In the US, the ESIGN Act and state laws accept electronic signatures for most contracts.
Common problems
- A white box covers the line under the signature. The signature photo has a white background. Remove the background, or draw the signature instead of uploading a photo.
- The signature looks pixelated when printed. A small photo of a signature was enlarged. Photograph it bigger, in good light, on plain white paper.
- An earlier digital signature now shows as invalid. Changing a PDF after someone signed it with a certificate breaks that signature. Add your electronic signature first, or sign with the same program the certificate signer used.
- The recipient can still edit the form fields. Some programs keep form fields live after signing. Print to PDF or flatten the file if the answers must not change.