Adobe's e-signature tools let you sign documents digitally without printing or scanning
Adobe offers two main ways to sign documents electronically: Adobe Sign, a dedicated e-signature service, and the Fill & Sign feature built into Adobe Acrobat Reader and Acrobat Pro. Fill & Sign is free and works for simple signatures on PDFs you already have. Adobe Sign is a paid service designed for sending documents to others for signature and tracking when they sign. Both create a digital record of your signature, but they work differently depending on what you're trying to do.
The method you choose depends on whether you're signing something yourself or sending it to someone else to sign. If you're the only person signing, Fill & Sign takes two minutes. If you need to send a document to a client, employee, or contractor for their signature, Adobe Sign is the right tool — though it requires a subscription.
Key Takeaways
- Fill & Sign in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) lets you sign a PDF yourself by drawing, typing, or uploading an image of your signature.
- Adobe Sign is a paid subscription service that lets you send documents to others, track when they sign, and create a legally binding record.
- A digital signature in Adobe is not the same as a handwritten signature — it's a unique identifier tied to your identity that's harder to forge.
- Both methods create a timestamped record showing who signed and when, which is legally recognized in most U.S. states and many countries.
Signing a document yourself with Fill & Sign
Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (the free version) or Acrobat Pro. Click the Fill & Sign tool in the right panel, or look for it under Tools if you're using an older version. The tool will activate and show your document with a toolbar at the top.
Click the signature icon (it looks like a pen) in the toolbar. You'll see three options: draw your signature with your mouse or trackpad, type your name and choose a font style, or upload an image of your handwritten signature. Most people type or upload because drawing with a mouse is difficult. Once you've created your signature, click where you want it to appear on the document. You can resize it by dragging the corners. Save the signed PDF to your computer or send it directly from Adobe.
If you're signing multiple pages, you can reuse the same signature — just click the signature icon again and place it on the next page. Adobe remembers your signature for future documents, so you won't have to recreate it each time.
Sending documents for others to sign with Adobe Sign
Adobe Sign requires a paid subscription, starting at around $10 per month for individuals or higher for business plans. Once you're subscribed, open Adobe Sign from your Acrobat menu or visit the Adobe Sign website. Click Send for Signature and upload your PDF or Word document.
Add the email addresses of everyone who needs to sign, in the order they should sign if that matters. You can add a message, set a deadline, and specify exactly where each person should sign by clicking on the document to place signature fields. Adobe Sign will send them an email with a link to the document. They can sign using the same three methods (draw, type, or upload) without needing Adobe software or an account.
Adobe Sign tracks when each person signs and sends you a notification. Once everyone has signed, you can download the completed document with a certificate of completion attached, which shows the timestamp and IP address of each signer. This creates a legally defensible record that the document was signed and by whom.
The difference between e-signatures and digital signatures
An e-signature (electronic signature) is any digital mark that represents your intent to sign — a typed name, a drawn signature, or an uploaded image. A digital signature is technically more secure: it uses encryption to tie your signature to your identity and the specific document, making it nearly impossible to forge or alter without detection. Adobe Sign creates digital signatures; Fill & Sign creates e-signatures.
For most everyday documents — contracts, forms, rental agreements — an e-signature is legally valid in all U.S. states under the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA). Digital signatures add an extra layer of security and are required for certain high-stakes documents like notarized papers or financial transactions in some jurisdictions. If you're unsure which one you need, check with the person or organization requesting your signature.
Legal recognition and what makes a signature valid
An electronic signature is legally binding in the United States, Canada, the European Union, and most other countries, provided the signer intended to sign and agreed to use electronic signatures. The key is intent — you have to knowingly place your signature on the document, not have it added without your knowledge.
Adobe Sign and Fill & Sign both create a timestamped record showing who signed, when they signed, and from what IP address. This record is admissible in court if a signature is ever disputed. However, some documents cannot be signed electronically: wills, powers of attorney, and certain notarized documents often require a handwritten signature or notarization. Before signing an important document electronically, confirm with the recipient that they will accept an e-signature.
Uploading an image of your handwritten signature
If you want your digital signature to look like your actual handwriting, you can upload an image. Sign a piece of paper with a pen, take a clear photo or scan it, and save it as a JPG or PNG file on your computer. In Fill & Sign or Adobe Sign, click the signature tool and select the upload option. Choose your image file, and Adobe will crop it to show just the signature.
This method works well if you want consistency across documents or if you're signing on behalf of a business and want a professional-looking signature. The image itself isn't encrypted or tied to your identity the way a true digital signature is, but it's still legally valid as long as you placed it intentionally.
Troubleshooting common signature problems
If your signature isn't appearing on the document, make sure you're in Fill & Sign mode and that you've clicked on the exact spot where you want it. Some PDFs are locked or read-only, which prevents signing — try opening the file in Acrobat Pro instead of Reader, or contact the document creator to unlock it.
If you're using Adobe Sign and the recipient says they didn't receive an email, check that you entered their email address correctly and that it wasn't caught by their spam filter. Ask them to check their spam folder or resend the invitation from Adobe Sign. If the document won't upload to Adobe Sign, make sure it's a PDF or Word file under 25 MB — larger files or other formats may not work.
If you need to change a signature after you've already signed, you'll have to delete the signature and add a new one in Fill & Sign. In Adobe Sign, you cannot edit a signature once the document is sent, so download it and start over if you made a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an e-signature in Adobe legally binding?
Yes, in the United States and most countries. The signature must be placed intentionally by you, and the recipient must have agreed to accept electronic signatures. Some documents like wills or notarized papers may require a handwritten signature instead — check with the person or organization requesting it.
Can someone forge my Adobe signature?
An image-based e-signature (like an uploaded photo of your handwriting) can be copied if someone gains access to it. A true digital signature created through Adobe Sign is encrypted and tied to your identity, making it much harder to forge. For high-security documents, use Adobe Sign's digital signature option rather than Fill & Sign.
Do I need Adobe Pro to sign documents?
No. Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) includes Fill & Sign, which is enough to sign PDFs yourself. Adobe Sign requires a paid subscription if you need to send documents to others for their signatures.
What happens if I sign a document by mistake?
In Fill & Sign, you can undo the signature before saving. In Adobe Sign, once the document is sent and signed, you cannot edit it — you'll need to start over with a new copy. Always review a document carefully before placing your signature.
Can I sign a document on my phone or tablet?
Yes. Adobe has mobile apps for both Acrobat Reader and Adobe Sign available on iOS and Android. The signing process is the same — you can draw, type, or upload a signature image on a touchscreen.