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Using Adobe Sign

Adobe Sign allows users to sign documents and/or have documents signed by others quickly from anywhere using a web browser or mobile device.

Adobe Sign is an add-on feature within Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free to use. Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

You may view the video or read the instructions below:

Sign a Document

To sign a PDF document or form, you can type, draw, or insert an image of your handwritten signature. You can also add text, such as your name, company, title, or the date. When you save the document, the signature and text become part of the PDF.

1. Open Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader.

2. Open the PDF document or form that you want to sign.

3. Click the Sign icon in the toolbar. Alternatively, you can choose Tools > Fill & Sign or choose Fill & Sign from the right pane.

Global sign tool
4. The Fill & Sign tool is displayed. Click Fill and Sign.
Fill & Sign home

5. The form fields are detected automatically. Hover the mouse over a field to display a field box. Click anywhere in the field box, the cursor will be placed at the right position automatically. Type your text to fill the field.

6. Click the Sign icon in the toolbar, and then choose whether you want to add your signature or just initials.
Add signature or initials
7. If you are signing for the first time, you see the Add Signature or Add Initials panel. Below is an example of the Signature panel.
Type, draw, or import a signature image

8. You can choose to type, draw, or import a signature image. Added signatures and initials are saved for future use.

  • Type: Type your name in the field. You can choose from a small selection of signature styles; click Change Style to view a different style.
  • Draw: Draw your signature in the field.
  • Image: Browse and select an image of your signature. (See more on this below)
  • Save Signature: When this check box is selected, and you're signed in to Acrobat Reader or Acrobat, the added signature is saved securely in Adobe Document Cloud for reuse.

9. Click Apply, and then click at the place in the PDF where you want to place the signature or initial.


10. If you've already added your signature or initials, just select it from the Sign options, and then click at the place in the PDF where you want to add your signature.

11. To move the placed signature or initial, click the field to highlight it and then use the arrow keys. To resize or delete the field, use the options in field toolbar.

12. You may now save and send the document as you usually would.

One Step Further: Notes for Using an Image of your Signature

If you want to use an image as your signature (as described in step 8):

  • Sign your name in black ink on a clean, blank sheet of white paper. Sign in the middle of the paper so you don't photograph or scan the edges.
  • Photograph or scan your signature. If you are taking a picture of your signature, make sure that the page is lit and that no shadows fall across the signature.
  • Transfer the photo or scan to your computer. Acrobat/Reader accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, TIF, and BMP files. You do not need to crop the image. Acrobat/Reader imports just the signature if the photo or scan is fairly clean.