A Comprehensive Guide on How to Electronically Sign a PDF

November 13, 2024Gerald Christian

For legal or official purposes, you often need to sign various documents. Compared to traditional paper documents, digital files offer several advantages. Similarly, electronic signatures bring efficiency and convenience. Documents can be securely signed from anywhere. That eliminates the need for physical document exchange. This article shares three helpful methods to electronically sign a PDF on computers and phones.

Electronically Sign A Pdf

Part 1. How to Add Digital Signature to PDFs Using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is mainly used to create, view, edit, share, and print PDF documents. You can use it to create your digital signature and add it to PDFs. It offers desktop software, online services, and a mobile (Acrobat Reader) app. Adobe allows you to start with a 7-day trial to use all its functions.

Navigate to the official Acrobat website, pick a subscription, and then download the latest version on your computer. You can also use its online version to electronically sign a PDF document. This part tells how to add a digital signature to a PDF online using Adobe Acrobat.

Step 1:
Open a web browser and go to the specific Adobe Acrobat online tool. You need to sign in to your account to access the Home page. Click the Upload Files button to choose the PDF file to which you want to add your e-signature.
Adobe Acrobat Online Add Pdf Files
Step 2:
Once the PDF document is loaded, you will see several onscreen tips to know its features. As you can see, it allows you to easily e-sign your PDF documents or send them to recipients to sign. Click E-Sign to access the related signature tools.
Adobe Acrobat E Sign Signature Tool
Step 3:
Scroll down your PDF pages to locate the specific region you want to add a signature. Click the Fill in Form fields button and select the desired option to insert your digital signature. For instance, you can choose Circle around and then click to place it. Click the three dots icon and select Signature.
Adobe Acrobat Add Signature
Step 4:
Adobe Acrobat offers three options for you to add your digital signature to a PDF file. You can type your name or draw it using your mouse to create a digital signature. Also, you are allowed to upload an image of your handwritten signature.
Acrobat Create E Signature
Step 5:
Once your electronic signature is created, you can freely control its size and location based on your needs. After that, you can click the three dots icon on the top right menu bar. Choose the Download this file option and then pick your preferred output format. Acrobat also lets you convert PDF to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or JPG/PNG/TIFF image format.
Add Digital Signature To Pdf Using Adobe Acrobat Online

Part 2. How to Electronically Sign a PDF with Online Tools

Aiseesoft has a series of PDF editing tools. They allow you to view PDF files freely, compress PDF, convert PDF to various output formats like text and image formats for further editing, and merge PDF documents into one complete file.

If you want to sign a PDF with online tools electronically, you need to split the page to be signed using a PDF splitter first.

Step 1:
Use PDF Converter Ultimate to convert it into JPG.
Step 2:
After that, add your digital signature to the JPG.
Add Digital Signature To Split
Step 3:
Use PDF Converter Ultimate again to convert the edited JPG to PDF format and save it.
Step 4:
Use PDF merger to merge the new PDF with the previously existing ones.

After the four steps, you can successfully get a PDF with your electronically signed signature.

Part 3. How to Electronically Sign a PDF on Your iPhone and Android

When you want to electronically sign PDFs on an iPhone or Android phone, you can rely on third-party PDF signing apps. Many associated e-signature apps are available in the App Store and Google Play Store. You can select your preferred one to add your digital signature to PDF documents with ease.

Whether you want to add a digital signature to PDF files on your iPhone or Android phone, you can rely on the Adobe Acrobat Reader app. Find and install it from the app store of your mobile phone.

Step 1:
Open the Acrobat app and proceed with the setup process. As a new user, you can open the Welcome file to learn its key functions.
Open Adobe Acrobat Reader App On Iphone
Step 2:
Tap Files on the bottom screen and then choose the right location to find the PDF document you want to e-sign. Once the PDF file is added, tap Fill & Sign to display the related signature tools. You can choose to add a signature or initials.
Electronically Sign A Pdf On Iphone Acrobat App
Step 3:
After you add a digital signature to the PDF document, you can resize it and drag it to the right location according to your needs. Tap the 3-dots icon in the upper-right corner and select your preferred way to save, export, print, and compress the PDF.
Export Signed Pdf As Word Acrobat App

Besides the Adobe Acrobat Reader app, there are some other popular apps you can use to electronically sign PDFs on your iPhone or Android phone, such as SignNow, SignEasy, PDF Expert, and more. You can take similar steps to generate digital signatures in PDF documents.

Part 4. FAQs on How to Electronically Sign a PDF

Question 1. How can I e-sign a PDF for free?

There are several helpful options for you to digitally sign a PDF for free. First, you can use an online PDF signing tool like iLovePDF, Docusign, or Smallpdf eSign PDF to easily sign a PDF document with your e-signature. Moreover, some associated mobile apps, browser extensions, and desktop programs help you e-sign a PDF for free. Some popular ones include Adobe Acrobat, Kami, SignEasy, and HelloSign. You are allowed to directly draw your signature onto a PDF or upload a pre-saved electronic signature image.

Question 2. Is it safe to use online PDF signing tools?

It is generally considered safe to use online PDF signing tools. However, you should select a well-known and trusted platform to electronically sign your PDF documents online. Most reputable PDF signing platforms adopt various security measures to protect your data. When you choose an online PDF signing tool, you should check the related security features. Also, you should not use public Wi-Fi networks to sign important PDFs.

Question 3. Can I e-sign a PDF on my phone?

Yes, you can easily sign a PDF document on your iPhone or Android phone with a related third-party PDF signing app like Acrobat Reader. It enables you to create an online signature and use it to sign PDFs. Moreover, the mobile Acrobat app also allows you to send documents to others for signing..

Conclusion

This article shares three different solutions to help you electronically sign a PDF on your computer and phone. Before adding digital signatures to PDFs, you should ensure the app you choose has security measures to protect your documents and signatures.

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