Obtain a digital ID if you don't already have one using one of the following ways:
- Request one from your organization
- Purchase from an Adobe security partner
- Create a self-signed digital ID in Acrobat
Last updated on
Sep 23, 2025
Learn how to set up and configure certificate-based signatures in Acrobat for secure and verified document signing.
To streamline the signing process and ensure compliance, you need to get a digital ID, configure your signing environment, and choose the right signature type. Whether you're signing for personal, corporate, or government use, setting up certificate-based signatures ensures document authenticity and compliance.
Go to Menu on Windows or Acrobat on macOS > Preferences > Signatures.
Select More under Creation & Appearance.
In the Creation and Appearance Preferences dialog box:
- Select your preferred default signing method.
- Under Appearances, select New and create a signature appearance.
Select OK.
Select Security (Enhanced) in the Preferences dialog box.
Select the Enable Protected Mode at startup checkbox to enable preview document mode. Learn how to sign in preview mode for integrity.
Select OK to close the Preferences dialog box
Review all document pages before signing, as signature fields may be on multiple pages.
Configure the signing application. Both document authors and signers should configure their application settings.
Select the appropriate signature type.
Note
Refer to the Digital signature overview to understand the difference between approval and certification signatures.
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