How to Add Signature to PDF With Adobe Acrobat Pro Guide

Looking for a comprehensive tutorial on how to add signature to PDF with Adobe Acrobat Pro? Check out this guide and learn two methods you can use to sign electronic documents safely and quickly. You will learn what steps to take to create your trusted certificate using Acrobat.

Method 1. Through Fill and Sign

The first method is suitable not only for signing e-documents but also for filling out forms using Fill & Sign tool. With this quick and intuitive option, even newbies can cope with the task.

STEP 1. Open Your File

open document to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

Launch Acrobat and open your PDF or form.

STEP 2. Choose Fill and Sign

fill and sign to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

Choose Fill/Sign option on the sidebar and click the Sign icon.

Then you will see signature configurations available in Acrobat Pro. You can tweak them and instantly sign your file. If your signature or initials are already in the program, look for them in the Sign options. Next, add your signature to the required section of your PDF file.

STEP 3. Generate a New Signature

new sign to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

Choose Sign Yourself > Add Initials to create a new signature.

STEP 4. Choose Your Type of Signature

create prefered type to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

I like that Adobe Sign allows typing in your signature using a suitable style or adding a picture of it. Change Style to view a different style option and customize your sign to get a specific look. Of course, if your signature doesn’t require any enhancements, you can draw it right in the field without prior editing. To add a company signature, browse and choose its image. Save it to the program by clicking Apply.

STEP 5. Customize Your Sign

customize a sign to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

Once your signature design is ready, you can change its font and color. After that, the program saves your signature in a workspace, so you can apply it to any other document easily. By using this method, it is also possible to fill out any other field via this free PDF editor.

Method 2. Through Digital IDS

This method is used for a more serious e-document workflow and gives the program a competitive edge over Adobe Acrobat alternatives. The main advantage of this method is personal identification via an individual password, meaning that only an owner has access to the signature.

STEP 1. Go to Preferences Panel

open preferences pannel to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro, head to the Edit Menu, and choose Preferences.

STEP 2. Add New Digital ID

add digital id to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

In a pop-up window, browse the left sidebar and select Signature there. On the main screen to the right click the More tab. It is located under the Identities and Trusted Certificates option.

STEP 3. Create a Name

create a name to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

A new window has the setting to manage your Digital Ids and Trusted Certificates. To configure your signature, choose Add ID (Name in some versions).

STEP 4. Choose New Digital ID

choose new digital id to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

There will appear a prompt; choose A new digital ID I want to create now there and click Next.

STEP 5. Choose Preferred Storage

choose a storage to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

NEW PKCS#12 digital ID file is selected by default. If it isn’t, choose it and click Next. Thus, you will keep a signature in the program and have instant access to it.

STEP 6. Enter Your Identity Information

identify yourself to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

In a new dialog box, type in all the necessary info and proceed with Next. Do not change the data in The Country, Key Algorithm and use digital ID fields.

STEP 7. Create a Password

create password to add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

In the next window of this e-signature software, you should create a password to protect your personal signature certificate. It is up to your whether to use password variants created by the program or come up with your own combination. So, before signing a doc, you need to confirm your decision by entering a password. Use upper-case, lowercase, digits, and special characters to create a secure password. Select Finish.

STEP 8. Place Your Digital Signature

add signature to pdf with adobe acrobat pro

Head to Digital ID and Trusted Certificate Settings to find your signature there. Maybe, this method seems more complicated than Adobe Fill and Sign, but it has an undeniable advantage in terms of document security.

FAQ

• Does Adobe Acrobat Pro allow generating handwritten signatures?

Yes, it is possible to use drawing tools to add signature to PDF with Adobe Acrobat Pro. You need to choose a drawing tool and write the required words or symbols. There are several text styles available, so I recommend customizing your signature for a proper look.

• Will my signature stay secure?

Yes, if you password-protect it. You are the only person, who knows an identification password, which is needed to add an e-signature to a doc.

• What types of secure signature creation devices does Acrobat work with?

Acrobat works with an array of signature creation devices like USB tokens, smart cards, and electronic certificates hosted in the cloud. You can also use trust service provider (TSP), certificate authority (CA), or timestamp authority from the European Union Trusted Lists (EUTL) and the Adobe Approved Trust List (AATL).

• How does Adobe help its clients solve a legal challenge to e-signatures?

The company stands out with professionalism, reliable security system, and adherence to the latest technologies to assist clients with various issues, legal ones included. So in case of a legal challenge (that is unlikely to happen), the company will help a client and defend the legality of his/her digital signs.