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Sign PDF documents

Last updated on Jul 17, 2024 | Also applies to Adobe Acrobat Sign

Before you begin

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Overview

You can sign a document to attest to its contents or approve the document. This document explains how to sign a document or agreement using Acrobat or Reader desktop application.

To sign a PDF document or form, you can type, draw, or insert an image of your handwritten signature. You can also add text, such as your name, company, title, or date. When you save the document, the signature and text become part of the PDF.

Try it yourself
Fill and sign your documents in a few simple steps

Open Acrobat

Note:

You can also capture a picture of your signature on mobile using Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app and save it in Adobe cloud storage so that it's synced and available for use across your desktop and other mobile devices. For more information, see Capture your signature on mobile and use it everywhere.

Open the PDF document and select select E-Sign from the global bar. Alternatively, you can also select Fill & Sign from the All tools menu.
Create your signature and initials if not already done. To do so:
1. From the Quick actions toolbar, select Add your signature or initials .
2. To add a signature, select Add signature. In the dialog that appears, type or draw your signature and then select Done.
3. To add your initials, select > Add initials. In the dialog that appears, type or draw your initials and then select Done.
From the Sign panel, select your signature, move over to the field where you want to add it, and then select to place the signature.

Or, from the Quick actions toolbar, select Add your signature or initials and then select your signature.
The form fields are detected automatically. Hover the mouse over a field to display a blue box. Click anywhere in the blue box, the cursor will be placed at the right position automatically. Type your text to fill the field.

Hover the mouse to display the detected text field

To fill the PDF form with your desired color, from the Quick actions toolbar, select the Color icon and then select a color.

By default, the signature color is black. To retain the default color of the signature, make sure the Keep signatures black option is unchecked.

Note:

For more information on filling your form, see Fill out your PDF form.
If you've already added your signature or initials, just select it from the Sign options, and then click at the place in the PDF where you want to add your signature. Skip to the next step.

If you are signing for the first time, you see the Signature or Initials panel. Below is an example of the Signature panel.

You can choose to type, draw, or import a signature image. Added signatures and initials are saved for future use.

Select Apply, and then click on the place in the PDF where you want to place the signature or initial.
To move the placed signature or initial, select the field to highlight it and then use the arrow keys. To resize or delete the field, use the options in the field toolbar.

Note:

If you want to use an image as your signature:

Sign your name in black ink on a clean, blank sheet of white paper. Sign in the middle of the paper so you don't photograph or scan the edges.
Photograph or scan your signature. If you are taking a picture of your signature, make sure that the page is lit and that no shadows fall across the signature.
Transfer the photo or scan to your computer. Acrobat/Reader accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, TIF, and BMP files. You do not need to crop the image. Acrobat/Reader imports just the signature if the photo or scan is fairly clean.

Sign an agreement

If you receive an email request for a signature from someone using Adobe Acrobat Sign, you can access the agreement from the link in your email or through your Acrobat or Acrobat Reader desktop application. You will see a notification that an agreement has been shared with you for signing.

You can sign the agreement using one of the following two ways:

Go to Acrobat or Acrobat Reader Home and then from under Agreements, select Adobe Acrobat Sign.

It takes you to the Adobe Acrobat Sign page where all the agreements shared or received for signature are displayed.
Double-click the agreement with the Waiting For You status, or select the agreement, and click Sign in the right-pane. The agreement opens.
Select the fields and enter the required information.
Select the signature field and then select Apply.

Note: If you are signing for the first time, you see the Signature or Initials panel as shown below.
- Type: Type your name in the field. You can choose from a small selection of signature styles; click Change Style to view a different style.
- Draw: Draw your signature in the field.
- Image: Browse and select an image of your signature.
- Mobile: Select this option to create your signature on a mobile device. Enter your mobile number and click Send. A link is sent to your mobile. Clicking the link opens the web browser on your mobile device where you can draw or select an image of your signature.
- Save: When this check box is selected, and you're signed in to Acrobat Reader or Acrobat, the added signature is saved securely in Adobe cloud storage for reuse.
Once you complete all the fields and sign, select Click To Sign.

Select the link of the agreement received in your email for signing. The agreement opens in a web browser.
Select the fields and enter the requested information.
Select the signature field and then select Apply.

Note: If you are signing for the first time, you see the Signature or Initials panel as shown below.

You can choose to type, draw, or import a signature image. Added signatures and initials are saved for future use.
- Type: Type your name in the field. You can choose from a small selection of signature styles; click Change Style to view a different style.
- Draw: Draw your signature in the field.
- Image: Browse and select an image of your signature.
- Mobile: Select this option to create your signature on a mobile device. Enter your mobile number and click Send. A link is sent to your mobile. Clicking the link opens the web browser on your mobile device where you can draw or select an image of your signature.
- Save: When this check box is selected, and you're signed in to Acrobat Reader or Acrobat, the added signature is saved securely in Adobe cloud storage for reuse.
Select Click To Sign.

Send your signed PDFs

After you have signed the form, you can share your form with others. See how to Send PDF documents for signature.

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