Can i electronically sign a pdf file

See our ethics statement. These days, more and more official papers are being turned into PDF documents. PDF stands for Portable Document Format; it is a standard created by Adobe in the early s that allows paper documents to be turned into exact digital copies. In fact, hard copy paperwork is fast becoming the exception rather than the rule. However, even digital documents have to be signed. You can do it the long way — print those documents out, sign them, and then scan them back into your computer — or you can create a digital signature and place it directly on the PDF.

There are also third-party apps you can download that will give you the same ability. While this is a good, quick way to sign a PDF document, it means you have to go through the same process every time.

It would be a lot simpler if you could simply pop your signature into the document. One way to do this is to write a signature, photograph it, and download it as a PDF or graphic file. You can then select your saved signature and place it where you need it on your PDF document. However, most of those free versions come with limitations — for example, SignWell lets you sign up to three documents a month, while eSign lets you process up to two documents per day.

This article discusses the electronic signature, the equivalent of your handwritten signature. A digital signature, on the other hand, is cryptographically secure and verifies that someone with your private signing key has seen the document and authorized it.

Digital signatures are the online equivalent to a notarized signature. A trusted third party, known as a Certificate Authority serves as the notary in terms of verifying your identity. The most popular option these days is Adobe Acrobat Reader. Type allows you to type your name in cursive format. Image allows you to select an image file of your signature. While this method works, it is still time-consuming and inefficient. You can simply take care of your computer tasks like signing a PDF from the convenience of your favorite mobile devices like an Android phone or iPhone.

With your Android phone, there are many apps that will let you sign a PDF but Adobe Acrobat Reader remains the simplest to use and is free to install. How to write on a PDF. New feature: Create password protected PDFs for submission emails.

To begin, simply open the PDF you want to sign. Select the markup icon, which looks like the tip of a pen. Once your signature is prepared, select it and drop it in your document wherever you wish to sign. Just like with the desktop version of Adobe Acrobat, the free Android equivalent can be used to sign documents as well.

Simply open your PDF of choice and tap on the area you want to fill or sign. This app is also a great way to fill out forms and you can use it to type on PDFs for a clean, professional-looking document. Adobe Acrobat is available as a free download from the Google Play Store. Click or tap here to download it for Android. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.

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