For most day-to-day paperwork, you don't need a printer. Adding your signature to a PDF on screen is quick, and in many situations it is perfectly acceptable. It is worth knowing what you are actually creating, though.

What Sign PDF does

Sign PDF places a signature on your document. You can type your name in a signature style or draw it with your mouse or finger. The signature is added to the page as part of the file, and you download the signed copy.

Note that the tool places the signature on the first page of the document. If your signature line is on a later page, use Extract Pages to work with that page on its own, sign it, and merge it back with Merge PDF.

Step by step

1. Open Sign PDF and upload your document.
2. Choose typed or drawn signature.
3. Set the X and Y position fields (measured from the bottom-left corner of the page) to place it on the signature line.
4. Download the signed PDF and open it to check placement. If it is off, adjust the numbers and run it again on your original.

Simple e-signature versus certified digital signature

These two get mixed up constantly.

• A simple electronic signature is an image or typed name showing intent to sign. That is what this tool creates. It is widely accepted for internal approvals, permission slips, quotes, rental applications and many routine agreements.
• A digital (certificate-based) signature uses a cryptographic certificate to identify the signer and to reveal any change made after signing. Some contracts, government filings and regulated processes require it.

Whether a simple signature is legally sufficient depends on the document type and where you are. If you are unsure, ask the other party or a legal professional, and if the paperwork is high-value, use a service built for certified signing.

Good habits when signing

• Sign a copy. Keep an unsigned original.
• Flatten afterwards. Run the signed file through Flatten PDF so the signature and form entries become part of the page and can't be moved by accident.
• Protect the final version. If it will be circulated, add an open password with Protect PDF, or read our guide to password protecting a PDF.
• Fill in the details first. If you need to add dates or text near the signature, use Edit PDF before signing, not after.

Checklist before you sign

1. Read the document to the end.
2. Confirm that a simple electronic signature is acceptable for this document.
3. Fill in any dates and names first.
4. Sign a copy and keep the original unsigned.
5. Open the signed file to check the signature is clear and in the right place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a typed signature legally valid?

In many places, yes, for many document types, because the law often recognises intent to sign rather than a specific format. Some documents have special rules, so check for anything important.

Can I sign on my phone?

Yes. The tool works in a mobile browser, and drawing with your finger is the easiest way to create a handwritten-style signature.

Will the signature be visible in every PDF viewer?

Yes, it becomes part of the page content.

Can others tell if the document was altered after I signed?

Not with a simple signature. Certificate-based signing is designed for that.