Knowledge Base
How to digitally sign a PDF document in Adobe Acrobat (Digital ID).
Overview
By following this article, you will apply a digital signature to a Portable Document Format (PDF) document in Adobe Acrobat so that readers can confirm who signed it. The procedure uses a Digital ID, the identity that holds your signing certificate, and is organized in two parts: signing a document, and removing a Digital ID from Adobe Acrobat. A blue banner at the top of the document confirms when the PDF is signed.
Note: The screenshots in this article show an earlier Adobe Acrobat interface and a sample certificate; the on-screen wording may differ in current versions.
Similar questions
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How do I sign a PDF with a Digital ID in Adobe Acrobat?
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What are the steps to digitally sign a document in Acrobat?
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How do I remove a Digital ID in Adobe Acrobat?
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Can I choose which signature appearance to use when signing?
Prerequisites
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Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer.
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A Digital ID configured in Adobe Acrobat (your signing certificate).
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The PDF document you want to sign.
Step 1 - Sign a PDF document
This section applies a visible digital signature to your PDF using a Digital ID.
1. Open or create your document in Adobe Acrobat.
2. On the top left, click the Tools tab.
Figure 1: Adobe Acrobat top menu with the Tools tab selected.
3. Select Certificates.
Figure 2: Tools panel with the Certificates option ready to open.
4. Click Digitally Sign.
Figure 3: Certificates toolbar with Digitally Sign selected.
5. With your mouse, draw a box where you want the signature to appear.
Figure 4: Dialog explaining how to draw the signature area with the mouse.
6. In the Sign As dialog, select your Digital ID, then click Continue. To review the certificate first, click View Details.
Figure 5: Sign with a Digital ID dialog for selecting the signing identity (sample IDs shown).
7. Click Sign.
Figure 6: Sign As dialog showing the signature appearance with a sample name before signing.
8. Type a name for your file and click Save. A blue bar at the top of the screen confirms the PDF is signed.
Note: Adobe Acrobat sets the first signing method you choose as the default method of signing.
Step 2 - Remove a Digital ID from Adobe Acrobat
This section clears a Digital ID from Adobe Acrobat, for example when a certificate is no longer used.
1. Select Edit, then Preferences.
2. Select Signatures on the left, then click More under Identities & Trusted Certificates.
3. Select the relevant Digital ID and click Remove ID.
4. Confirm that you want to remove the Digital ID.
5. Enter the password and click OK.
How to verify the document was signed
After signing, a blue banner appears at the top of the PDF confirming it is signed, and the signature is visible in the box you drew.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my certificate details before signing? In the Sign As dialog, click View Details to review the certificate before you continue.
Can I change which Digital ID is the default for signing? Acrobat uses the first signing method you choose as the default. Remove or reconfigure the Digital ID under Preferences, Signatures, to change it.
How do I remove a Digital ID I no longer use? Go to Edit, Preferences, Signatures, click More under Identities & Trusted Certificates, select the Digital ID, and click Remove ID.
Does signing change the original document? Signing adds a visible signature and a blue confirmation banner. Save the signed file with a new name to keep the original.
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