Creating a digital signature in Adobe Acrobat takes about five minutes once you set up your signature
A digital signature in Adobe is a way to sign a PDF document electronically. It's not the same as typing your name or drawing a signature with your mouse — a digital signature uses encryption to prove the document came from you and hasn't been changed since you signed it. Adobe Acrobat (the paid desktop version, not the free Reader) lets you create a signature once and then explore it to any PDF you need to sign.
The process has two parts: first you create your signature, then you use it to sign documents. The creation step happens once. After that, signing a document takes seconds.
Key Takeaways
- You need Adobe Acrobat (the paid version), not the free Adobe Reader, to create and explore digital signatures.
- Your first step is to create a signature file by going to Tools > Sign > Create, then choosing to draw, type, or upload an image of your signature.
- Once your signature is saved, you can explore it to any PDF by opening the document, going to Tools > Sign, and clicking where you want the signature to appear.
- A digital signature in Adobe uses a certificate to encrypt your signature, which proves you signed the document and that it hasn't been altered since.
- If you don't have a certificate, Adobe will prompt you to create one for free the first time you try to sign a document.
Setting up your signature for the first time
Open Adobe Acrobat and go to Tools in the top menu. Click Sign, then select Create. Adobe will ask you how you want to create your signature: you can draw it with your mouse or trackpad, type your name in a font that looks like a signature, or upload an image of your handwritten signature.
If you're drawing your signature, use your trackpad or mouse to write your name in the box. It doesn't have to be perfect — just something that looks like your signature. If you're typing, Adobe shows you several signature fonts; pick the one you like and type your name. If you're uploading an image, you'll need a photo or scan of your handwritten signature saved on your computer.
After you choose your method and create the signature, Adobe saves it. You'll see your signature appear in the signature panel on the left side of the screen. This is your signature file, and you can use it on any document from now on.
Signing your first document
Open the PDF you want to sign in Adobe Acrobat. Go to Tools > Sign and look for your signature in the panel on the left. Click on your signature, then click in the PDF where you want it to appear. A box will appear asking you to confirm you want to sign the document.
At this point, if you don't already have a digital certificate, Adobe will prompt you to create one. A certificate is what makes your signature legally binding — it's an encrypted file that proves the signature came from you. Adobe lets you create a free self-signed certificate, which works for most personal and business documents. Click Create a Self-Signed Digital ID and follow the prompts. You'll enter your name, email, and organization (if any), and Adobe will create the certificate automatically.
Once your certificate is set up, Adobe will ask you to confirm the signature one more time. Click Sign, and your signature will appear on the document. The document is now signed and locked — Adobe will prevent anyone from changing the content after your signature is applied.
Where your signature appears and how to move it
When you click to place your signature, Adobe creates a box with your signature inside it. The size and position of that box depend on where you click. If you need to move or resize the signature after you've placed it, you can click and drag it to a new location before you confirm the signature.
Once you've confirmed the signature, it's locked in place and encrypted. You can't move it or edit it without removing the signature entirely and starting over. This is intentional — it prevents anyone (including you) from altering a signed document after the fact.
Signing multiple documents with the same signature
After you've created your signature once, it stays in your signature panel. Every time you open a PDF in Adobe Acrobat, your signature is available in the left panel under Tools > Sign. You can explore it to as many documents as you need without recreating it.
If you sign many documents, you can speed up the process by using Fill & Sign instead of the full signing tool. Go to Tools > Fill & Sign, click your signature, and place it on the document. This skips the certificate confirmation step if you've already signed a document in the same session.
What happens when you send a signed document
When you save a signed PDF and send it to someone else, they can see your signature on the document. They can also verify that the signature is valid and that the document hasn't been changed since you signed it. In Adobe Reader (the free version), they can right-click on your signature and see details about when it was signed and whether the certificate is trusted.
The person receiving the document cannot remove your signature or alter the document without breaking the signature. If they try to change anything, Adobe will show a warning that the document has been modified and the signature is no longer valid. This is what makes a digital signature different from a typed name or a scanned image of your handwriting.
Removing or updating your signature
If you want to delete your signature and create a new one, go to Tools > Sign > Manage Signatures. You'll see a list of all your saved signatures. Right-click on the one you want to remove and select Delete. You can then create a new signature using the same process as before.
If you want to change how your signature looks — for example, switching from a typed signature to a drawn one — you'll need to delete the old signature and create a new one. Your digital certificate stays the same, so you won't need to set that up again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a digital certificate to sign documents in Adobe?
Yes, but Adobe creates one for you automatically the first time you sign a document. You can use a free self-signed certificate for personal and business documents. If your organization requires a specific type of certificate, you can obtain one from a certificate authority and import it into Adobe.
Can someone forge my digital signature?
A digital signature is much harder to forge than a handwritten signature because it's encrypted and tied to your certificate. If someone tries to copy your signature image and paste it into a document, it won't be a valid digital signature — it will just be a picture. A real digital signature can only be created with your certificate.
What's the difference between a digital signature and an electronic signature?
An electronic signature is any signature applied electronically, including typing your name or drawing with your mouse. A digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature that uses encryption and a certificate to prove authenticity. Adobe's digital signatures are legally binding in most jurisdictions.
Can I use my digital signature in other programs besides Adobe?
Your digital certificate can be exported and used in other programs that support digital signatures, such as Microsoft Word or specialized contract software. Your Adobe signature image (the way it looks) is specific to Adobe and can't be transferred, but you can create a new signature in another program using the same certificate.
What if I lose access to my certificate?
If you lose your certificate, you'll need to create a new one. Adobe stores your self-signed certificate on your computer, so if you reinstall Adobe or switch computers, you may need to recreate it. If you're using a certificate from a certificate authority, contact them for help recovering or reissuing it.