How do I add my signature to a PDF document in Acrobat Reader?

Open the PDF in Acrobat Reader. Click 'E-Sign' in the right panel. Select 'Add e-sign' and choose to type, draw, or upload your signature. Place the signature on the document and save.

What is the difference between an 'e-signature' and a 'digital signature' when signing a document?

An e-signature, like the one from Fill & Sign, is a simple electronic mark showing agreement. It's often legally binding. A digital signature is more complex. It uses a digital certificate to prove the signer's identity and that the document has not changed since it was signed. Digital signatures offer higher security and verification, while e-signatures are for general agreement.

If I need to sign many documents every day, can I automate the 'Fill & Sign' process?

No, you cannot automate the 'Fill & Sign' process. This feature is designed for you to manually add your signature to documents. It is a client action, meaning you must perform the steps yourself within the Acrobat application. There is no special tool or API for automatic self-signing.

Why is 'Fill & Sign' useful for everyday tasks like signing a permission slip?

It saves time by letting you sign digitally instead of printing, signing, and scanning. You can sign from anywhere, using your computer or mobile device. It helps keep your documents digital, reducing paper use and making them easy to store.

How does Acrobat ensure my e-signature is secure and cannot be easily copied by others?

Acrobat helps secure your e-signature by embedding it directly into the PDF. Once saved, it becomes part of the document, making it harder to remove or alter without detection. While a simple e-signature isn't as robust as a digital signature with encryption, Acrobat's tools help maintain the document's integrity. Always save your signed PDF to protect your work.

Fill and sign a PDF form for multiple recipients in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Help me fill and send a PDF form to [recipients]…+

Help me fill and send a PDF form for [number] recipients. The form is about [topic], and the recipients are [names or emails].

when the reply comes backWould you like tips on tracking who has signed?

BImprove — “do it better”Can you make my PDF form easier for people to fill and sign?…+

Can you make my PDF form easier for multiple people to fill and sign? Please suggest any changes to the layout or fields.

when the reply comes backNeed help making your PDF form look more professional?

CDecide — “help me choose”What is the best way to collect signed PDF forms from many people?…+

What is the best way to collect signed PDF forms from multiple recipients: should I use email, a shared folder, or an online form tool? Please explain the pros and cons.

when the reply comes backWant advice on reminding people to fill out the form?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF file you want to fill out in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select Fill & Sign from the right pane or the toolbar.
3
Click Fill & Sign to activate the tool for self-signing.
4
Click anywhere on the document where you want to add text, then type your information.
5
To add checkmarks or other symbols, use the toolbar options that appear after activating Fill & Sign.
6
To add your signature or initials, click the Sign button in the Fill & Sign toolbar, then choose Add Signature or Add Initials and follow the prompts.
7
Drag your signature or initials to the appropriate place in the document.
8
Save the filled and signed PDF by selecting File > Save.
Best practiceIf you need to reuse your signature, Acrobat lets you save it for future documents.

In the appWith the API

You can resize or move text fields and signatures after placing them by clicking and dragging their edges.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

PDFA common file type used to share documents that look the same everywhere.ExampleShe saved the brochure as a PDF so everyone would see the exact same layout and fonts.

RecipientThe person who receives the document and needs to sign it.ExampleThe recipient opens the email to find the document waiting for their signature.

SignTo add your signature, showing you agree or approve.ExampleYou sign the rental agreement to confirm you accept the terms and conditions.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Improve sign‑off certainty across engagements

FAQ

about this task

In Adobe Acrobat, you can use the 'Fill & Sign' tool to complete your part of the form, then use 'Request Signatures' to send the form to several people. Each recipient gets their own copy to fill and sign, making it easy to collect all responses.

Signing a PDF form electronically means you use your computer or phone to add your signature, either by typing, drawing, or uploading an image of your signature. This is accepted as a legal way to show you agree or approve something.

Yes, if you use Adobe Acrobat's 'Request Signatures' feature, you can see who has opened, filled, and signed the form. You will also get notifications when someone completes their part.

Using Adobe Acrobat is faster and easier because you can send forms to many people at once and collect digital signatures. Printing and scanning takes more time and can be confusing if you have lots of recipients.

PDF forms are widely used because they keep the layout and look the same for everyone, and most people can open them easily. They also support digital signatures, making them a good choice for collecting signed forms.

Fill and sign a PDF form for multiple recipients

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help