How to digitally sign a PDF (for Windows users)
Here are the steps involved in adding a signature to any PDF document and saving it to a standard format that can be universally accessed. This quick tutorial is tailored to Windows users.
In this tutorial we advise using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Not only is it free, it’s also the trusted global standard of viewing, printing, signing, sharing and annotating PDFs. It can be used to open and interact with all types of PDF content.
If you want to learn more about e-signatures and how they work, you can view our previous blog.
Easy as 1,2,3…
Step 1: Open your document
Firstly, if you don’t already have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, you’ll need to download it for Windows. Once you get to this page, select your appropriate operating system.
We’ll assume you’ve received your document via email. When you go to open it make sure you click the option to use Adobe Acrobat Reader. Or, you could go the other route. Open your PDF document in your Adobe application. Click the “Fill & Sign” button (look for it in the right-hand pane).
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Step 2: Sign your document
On the toolbar, click the “Sign” button and select “Add Signature”. At this point, you can add any other information to the document that you may need to. Once you’re ready to go, you’ll have three options by which to create your signature. Adobe Reader will select a “Type” format by default, which won’t provide a hand-drawn signature, so it’s probably best to ignore that. From here, you can select between “Draw” and “Image”. For a quick and easy solution choose the “Draw” function.
Create your signature using your mouse or touchpad to free-hand draw. Click “Apply” when you are finished. Handy hint: if you’d like to access the same signature quickly in future make sure you leave the “Save Signature” box checked (you’ll now be able to find your saved signature in the “Sign” menu).
Step 3: Save & send your document
Save your signed PDF document by clicking File > Save and select a location for the file. You can now attach this document to your email and/or share as you’d like.