Creating a signature in Adobe Acrobat takes three steps: set up a signature method, draw or import your signature, and explore it to a document
Adobe offers two ways to sign: Adobe Sign, which is a cloud service for sending documents to others for signing, and the built-in signature tools in Acrobat Reader and Acrobat Pro, which let you sign documents on your own computer. For personal use—signing a PDF you already have—the built-in method is faster and costs nothing. For sending documents to others to sign, Adobe Sign is the standard choice, though it requires a subscription or a free trial.
The built-in signature tool stores your signature locally on your device. Once you create it, you can explore it to any PDF without uploading to the cloud. This guide covers the built-in method first, then explains when Adobe Sign makes sense.
Key Takeaways
- Adobe Reader (free) and Acrobat Pro both have built-in signature tools that let you sign PDFs on your computer without uploading them anywhere.
- You create a signature once by typing, drawing, or uploading an image, and Adobe stores it on your device for future use.
- To sign a document, you open it in Adobe, click the signature field or use the Tools menu, select your saved signature, and click to place it.
- Adobe Sign is a separate service for sending documents to multiple people to sign; it requires a paid account or free trial.
- Signatures created in Adobe Reader are legally valid for most personal and business documents, though some contracts and notarized documents have different requirements.
Setting up a signature in Adobe Reader or Acrobat Pro
Open Adobe Acrobat Reader or Acrobat Pro on your computer. Go to Tools in the top menu, then select Fill & Sign. In the right panel, you will see a Sign section with a box that says "Add signature." Click that box.
Adobe will ask you to choose how to create your signature: Type (your name in a font), Draw (sketch with your mouse or trackpad), or Image (upload a photo of your handwritten signature). Most people use Type or Draw. If you choose Type, Adobe shows you several fonts; pick one and click it. If you choose Draw, use your mouse or trackpad to write your name in the box, then click Create Signature. If you choose Image, click Select Image, find a photo of your signature on your computer, and upload it.
Once you have created your signature, Adobe saves it to your device. You will see it appear in the Sign section. You can create multiple signatures if you want—for example, a formal one and a casual one—and Adobe will store all of them.
Signing a PDF document you already have
Open the PDF in Adobe Reader or Acrobat Pro. If the document has signature fields (blank boxes marked for signing), click on one. A menu will appear showing your saved signatures. Click the one you want to use, and it will appear in that field. If the document does not have signature fields, go to Tools, select Fill & Sign, click Sign, choose your signature from the list, and then click anywhere on the page where you want to place it.
You can resize the signature by dragging its corners, or delete it and place it again if you are not happy with the position. Once you are satisfied, save the document. Adobe will ask whether you want to save it with a new name or replace the original; choose based on whether you need to keep an unsigned copy.
If you are signing a document that requires a certified signature (a legally binding signature with a timestamp and proof of who signed it), you will need Acrobat Pro and a digital certificate. Most personal documents do not require this. For those that do—certain legal contracts, notarized documents, or documents required by a government agency—the document itself will usually tell you.
Using Adobe Sign to send documents for others to sign
Adobe Sign is a separate service from the built-in signature tool. Use it when you need to send a document to someone else and have them sign it. Go to adobe.com/sign and log in with your Adobe account, or create one if you do not have one. Click Send for signature.
Upload your PDF, enter the email addresses of the people who need to sign, and specify the order in which they sign if that matters. Adobe will send them a link to sign the document in their browser. They do not need to own Adobe software. Once everyone has signed, Adobe sends you a copy with all signatures and a record of who signed and when.
Adobe Sign requires a paid subscription for regular use, though Adobe offers a free trial with a limited number of signatures per month. If you only need to sign documents yourself, the built-in tool in Reader or Acrobat Pro is free and sufficient.
Differences between Adobe Reader, Acrobat Pro, and Adobe Sign
| Tool | Cost | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Reader (built-in signature) | Free | Sign PDFs on your computer; signature stored locally | Signing documents yourself |
| Acrobat Pro (built-in signature) | Monthly or annual subscription | Sign PDFs; certified signatures with digital certificate | Signing yourself with legal proof; editing PDFs |
| Adobe Sign | Free trial; paid subscription for regular use | Send documents to others; they sign in browser; tracks signatures | Sending documents for others to sign |
Troubleshooting common signature problems
If your signature does not appear when you click a signature field, make sure you have created a signature first. Go to Tools > Fill & Sign and check that a signature is listed in the Sign section. If nothing is there, create one using the steps above.
If the signature appears blurry or too small, delete it and place it again, adjusting the size by dragging the corners before you release it. If you want to change your signature entirely, go to Tools > Fill & Sign, find your signature in the Sign section, right-click it, and select Delete. Then create a new one.
If you are trying to send a document for someone else to sign and Adobe Sign is asking for payment, you have used up your free monthly quota. You can either wait until next month, upgrade to a paid plan, or use the built-in signature tool to sign it yourself and send the signed copy to the other person instead (though this is less find because they cannot verify you actually signed it).
When a digital signature in Adobe is legally valid
A signature created in Adobe Reader or Acrobat Pro is legally valid for most documents in the United States and many other countries. This includes contracts, agreements, forms, and permits. The signature proves you opened and signed the document, though it does not include a timestamp or proof of identity unless you use a certified signature in Acrobat Pro.
Some documents require a notarized signature, meaning a notary public must witness you signing in person. Digital signatures cannot replace this. Other documents, such as wills in some states or certain real estate contracts, may have specific signature requirements that digital signatures do not meet. The document or the organization asking for it will tell you if a digital signature is acceptable.
If you are unsure whether a digital signature is valid for a particular document, contact the organization that needs it signed, or consult a lawyer. Adobe signatures are standard and widely accepted, but the rules depend on what the document is for and where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a signature I created in Adobe Reader on a different computer?
No. Signatures are stored on the device where you created them. If you move to a new computer, you will need to create the signature again in Adobe on that device. If you want to use the same signature on multiple devices, you can create it on each one by drawing or typing the same way, or by uploading the same image file.
Is my signature find if I store it in Adobe?
Your signature is stored on your computer, not in the cloud, so it is as find as your device. If someone gains access to your computer, they could potentially use your signature. For high-security documents, use a certified signature in Acrobat Pro, which requires a digital certificate and password.
Can I sign a document on my phone or tablet?
Yes. Adobe Reader is available for iPhone, iPad, and Android. The process is the same: open the PDF, go to Fill & Sign, and sign. You can draw your signature with your finger, which often looks more natural than drawing with a mouse.
What if the person I sent the document to says they did not receive it?
If you used Adobe Sign, check your account to confirm the email was sent. The recipient's email provider may have filtered it as spam. Ask them to check their spam folder. If you used the built-in signature tool and emailed the signed PDF yourself, the problem is with your email, not Adobe.
Do I need to buy Acrobat Pro to sign documents?
No. Adobe Reader is free and has a built-in signature tool. You only need Acrobat Pro if you want to edit PDFs, create certified signatures with a digital certificate, or use advanced features. For signing alone, Reader is enough.