You can sign a document to attest to its contents or approve the document. Based on the intent, you use different types of signatures.
Note:
This document provides instructions for Acrobat DC and Acrobat 2017. If you're using Acrobat XI, see Acrobat XI Help.
If someone has used Adobe Sign to send you an agreement for signing, you receive an email notification with a link to sign the agreement. Also, if you use Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC desktop application, you see a notification that an agreement has been shared with you for signing.
Sign using the email link
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Click the signature field. If you are signing for the first time, you see the Signature or Initials panel.
- 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.
- Image- Browse and select an image of your signature.
- Draw- Draw your signature in the field.
- 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.
Sign using Acrobat/Reader desktop application
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Click the signature field. If you are signing for the first time, you see the Signature or Initials panel.
- 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.
- Image- Browse and select an image of your signature.
- Draw- Draw your signature in the field.
- 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.
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.
Note:
You can also capture a picture of your signature on mobile using Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app and save it in Adobe Document Cloud so that it's synced and available for use across your desktop and other mobile devices. For more information, see Capture your signature on mobile and use it everywhere.
Steps to sign a PDF
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To add text, such as your name, company, title, or date, drag and drop your personal saved information from the right pane onto a form field.
Alternatively, you can use Add Text
in the toolbar. Click at the place in your document where you want to add the text, and start typing. Use the field toolbar to make appropriate changes. -
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. Skip to the next step.
If you are signing for the first time, you see the Signature or Initials panel. Below is an example of the Signature panel.
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.
- Image: Browse and select an image of your signature.
- Draw: Draw your signature in the field.
- 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.
in the toolbar. Alternatively, choose 
in the toolbar, and then choose whether you want to add your signature or just initials.
Note:
If you want to use an image as your signature:
- 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.
After you have signed the form, you can share it with others. To share the form, follow the steps mentioned in the article Send your form.
You can get documents signed by others using the Send for Signature tool, which relies on cloud services provided by Adobe Sign. It lets signers quickly sign agreements from anywhere using a web browser or mobile device. Signers are not required to sign up or purchase any Adobe product to sign the agreements.
The Send for Signature tool also helps you track the entire signing process. The tool sends an email to your signers asking them to sign an agreement. Once signed, both you and your signers receive the signed PDF by email.
For more information, see Send PDF documents for signature.
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