How to Add an Electronic Signature to a PDF in Adobe Acrobat

Open the PDF and locate the Sign tool

Start by opening your PDF in Adobe Acrobat (the full desktop version, not the free Reader). Once the document is open, look for the Sign tool in the right panel. If you do not see it, click the Tools tab at the top, then select Fill & Sign from the menu. This opens a toolbar with signature options.

The Fill & Sign tool works for any PDF, whether it is a form or a blank document. You do not need the document to be a special form type — Acrobat will let you place a signature anywhere on the page.

Key Takeaways

Adobe Acrobat's Fill & Sign tool lets you add a signature to any PDF by clicking where you want it to appear on the page.
You can create a signature by typing your name, drawing one with your mouse or trackpad, or uploading an image of your handwritten signature.
Once you create a signature, Acrobat saves it so you can reuse it on future documents without recreating it each time.
After signing, save the PDF as a new file to preserve the signature — the original document remains unsigned.

Create your signature the first time

When you click the signature icon in the toolbar, Acrobat will ask you to create a signature if you have not made one before. You have three options: Type your name in a clean font, Draw your signature with your mouse or trackpad, or Image to upload a photo of your handwritten signature.

For most people, typing is the fastest and cleanest option. Acrobat will display your typed name in a signature-style font. If you want something that looks more like a handwritten signature, the Draw option lets you use your mouse or trackpad to sketch one — this takes practice if you are using a trackpad, so do not worry if your first attempt looks rough. The Image option works best if you have already signed a piece of paper, photographed it, and saved the image to your computer.

After you choose your method and create the signature, click explore. Acrobat saves this signature and will offer it to you the next time you sign a document, so you only have to create it once.

Place the signature on your PDF

Once your signature is created, click anywhere on the PDF page where you want it to appear. Your signature will show up at that spot. If the placement is wrong, you can click and drag it to move it, or click the X to remove it and place it again elsewhere.

Most PDFs have a signature line or a blank space where signatures belong — usually near the bottom of the document or next to a date field. If you are signing a form, place your signature in the designated box. If you are signing a blank document or one without a clear signature area, place it in a logical spot like the bottom right corner.

Resize or adjust your signature

After you place your signature, you can resize it by clicking and dragging the small squares at the corners of the signature box. Make it larger or smaller to fit the space available on your PDF. You can also right-click on the signature to access options like Delete if you need to remove it and start over.

If you want to add more than one signature to the same document — for example, if multiple people need to sign — place each signature separately. You can add as many signatures as the document requires, and each one can be a different person's signature if you have their signature saved in Acrobat.

Save the signed PDF

After you have placed your signature, save the document. Go to File and select Save As to save it with a new name. This preserves the original unsigned PDF and creates a new file with your signature on it. If you use Save instead of Save As, Acrobat will overwrite the original file, so use Save As unless you are certain you want to replace the original.

The signed PDF is now ready to send, print, or store. The signature is part of the document itself and will appear whenever someone opens the file.

Reuse your signature on future documents

The next time you open a PDF and use the Fill & Sign tool, your saved signature will appear automatically in the toolbar. You do not have to recreate it — just click the signature icon and then click where you want it on the page. This saves time if you sign multiple documents regularly.

If you want to change your signature later, you can create a new one by clicking the signature icon and selecting Create New Signature. Acrobat will let you keep your old signature or replace it with the new one.

What to know about electronic signatures in Acrobat

An electronic signature created in Acrobat is not the same as a certified digital signature, which uses encryption and is legally binding in most jurisdictions. A signature placed with the Fill & Sign tool is a visual mark that shows you signed the document, but it does not have the legal weight of a certified signature.

For most everyday documents — contracts between individuals, internal approvals, or personal records — an electronic signature from Acrobat is sufficient. If you need a legally certified signature for a government document, court filing, or high-stakes contract, you may need to use Adobe's Sign service, which provides certified digital signatures. Check with the person or organization requesting the signature to see which type they need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Adobe Reader to add a signature?

Adobe Reader (the free version) does not have the Fill & Sign tool. You need Adobe Acrobat, the paid desktop version. If you only have Reader, you can read a free trial of Acrobat from Adobe's website to sign your PDF, or you can use a third-party PDF tool that offers signature features.

What if I want to sign on a tablet or phone?

Adobe Acrobat Reader on mobile devices (iPad, iPhone, Android) has a signature feature. Open the PDF in the mobile app, tap the signature icon, and draw your signature on the screen with your finger. The process is similar to the desktop version but uses touch instead of a mouse.

Can someone else use my saved signature?

Your saved signature is stored on your computer in your Acrobat profile. If someone else uses your computer and opens Acrobat, they could potentially access it. If you share a computer, consider creating a separate user account or deleting your saved signature after use if security is a concern.

Does the signature stay on the PDF if I email it?

Yes. Once you save the PDF with your signature, the signature is part of the file. When you email it or share it, the signature stays on the document. The recipient will see your signature when they open the PDF.

Can I add a signature to a scanned document?

Yes. If you have a scanned image saved as a PDF, you can open it in Acrobat and add your signature the same way. Acrobat treats scanned PDFs the same as any other PDF file.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.