How to Sign a PDF Document Electronically

Printing out a multi-page PDF document just to sign it with a pen and scan it back to your computer is tedious and wastes paper. Modern operating systems and PDF readers allow you to draw, type, or insert digital signatures in seconds.

Here is the complete guide to electronically signing PDF files on any platform.

Method 1: Sign PDFs on iPhone & iPad (Apple Markup)

1. Open the PDF attachment in Mail, Files, or Safari.
2. Tap the Markup icon (the pen tip inside a circle) in the top-right corner.
3. Tap the + (Plus) button at the bottom-right and select Signature.
4. Tap Add or Remove Signature, draw your signature with your finger or Apple Pencil, and tap Done.
5. Drag your signature box to the signature line, resize the bounding box, and tap Done > Save File to....

Method 2: Sign PDFs on Windows & Mac (Adobe Acrobat Reader Free)

1. Open the PDF in the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
2. Click Fill & Sign in the right-hand tools pane (or click the fountain pen icon on the top toolbar).
3. Click Add Signature.
4. Choose one of three options:

• Type: Enter your legal name and choose a cursive font style.
• Draw: Draw your signature using your mouse, trackpad, or stylus.
• Image: Upload a clean photo of your signature signed on white paper.

1. Click Apply, move the signature over the document's signature field, click to place it, and press Ctrl + S to save.

Method 3: Sign PDFs on Mac (Apple Preview Trackpad Signature)

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Click the Show Markup Toolbar button (pencil inside a box).
3. Click the Sign icon and select Create Signature.
4. Sign your name smoothly across the Mac trackpad using your finger, or hold a signed sheet of paper up to your FaceTime camera. Preview will automatically capture and vectorize the ink.
5. Click your saved signature to drop it directly into the PDF.