Adobe Acrobat - Digital Signatures

Key Points:

• Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat Reader can allow users to insert an electronic signature into a PDF document.

• If the PDF document was not prepared to accept digital IDs as electronic signatures, users can take advantage of the Fill and Sign option in Adobe to accomplish their task.  However, a signature using the Fill and Sign method may not be accepted, so users should keep that in mind.

Instructions:
 

1. Verify if the PDF document has been prepared to accept digital IDs as electronic signatures. The document will have a blue background in the signature section with a red arrow. If so, continue to Step 2; otherwise, continue to the Alternative Digital Signature section of this knowledge base article.
   
   

2. Click in the signature field. A Sign with Digital ID window will appear. If you already have a digital ID configured, skip to Step 5; otherwise, continue on to Step 3.
    
3. Click Configure with New Digital ID.
   
   
4. Click Create a New Digital ID, then click Continue.
   
   
5. Click Save to Windows Certificate Store, then click Continue.
    
6. Enter your name and Reynolds email address for your new digital ID, then click Save.
   
   
7. Select your digital ID that you want to sign the document with, then click Continue.
   
   
8. A preview of your digital signature will be shown. Click Sign.
   
   
9. Another window will pop-up asking you where you want to save the document. Choose the location and file name for the document, then click Save.  If the same document (with the same name) is already in the exact same save location, you will be prompted with the option to replace the existing file. You can either click Yes to update the document, or click No to change the name and/or save location.
   
   Note: The document must be saved to incorporate your digital ID into the signature block.

10. The document will now have your digital ID attached to the signature block.
     

Alternative Digital Signature

If the PDF document has not been prepared to accept a digital ID as an electronic signature, Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat Reader both have an option called Fill and Sign that can be used as a workaround.

1. On the right pane of Adobe Acrobat, click the Fill and Sign option.  Adobe Acrobat Reader users will see the option on the left pane.
   
   

2.  Just above the top of the actual document area, click Sign Yourself (Acrobat Reader users will see the option for Fill and Sign Yourself on the left pane).
   
   
3. Click Add Signature.
   
   
4. You can choose to type your name, draw your signature (using your mouse, touchscreen, or pen device), or insert an image of your signature.
   
   
5. Click Apply to save your signature.
   
   
6. Your signature will now appear as an image in the document. Hover over the image until your cursor changes to a crosshair. Drag and drop your signature into the appropriate signature block.
   
   
7. Save the document to keep your changes.