Adobe: Signing a PDF with a Digital ID

Sometimes, PDFs are sent with the request for instructors, staff, and students to sign. Adobe Acrobat has an option to create a secure signature for users to sign digitally. Review the instructions below to add a Digital ID to a PDF.

Using Digital ID to Sign a PDF with a Signature Field

1. After opening the PDF, locate the signature area highlighted in blue.  Note: Some documents may have a red arrow to point to the signature field. This function is available depending on the department/office subscription.
2. Click the blue field to open the Sign with a Digital ID window.
3. Select the Configure New Digital ID button at the bottom of the window.
4. A new window will open. Select the third option,Create a new Digital ID. Select Continue.
5. On the Select the destination of the new Digital ID window, select the Save to File option. This will save to your computer to use later. Select Continue.
6. On the Create a self-signed Digital ID window, add your name and email address. Organizational Unit and Organizational Name are optional. You don't have to change the last three fields. Select Continue.
7. To save the self-signed Digital ID to a file, select the Browse button to choose the file location on your computer.
8. Add and confirm a password to protect the Digital ID. Passwords must be at least 6 characters long.
9. Select Save.
10. On the Sign with a Digital ID window, highlight the radio circle beside your Digital ID and select the Continue button.
11. When the Sign as “Name” window opens, enter the password created and select Sign.
12. A Save as PDF window will appear. Select Save to finish adding the Digital ID signature.
13. The Digital ID should appear with a time stamp in the signature field.

Adding/Inserting a Digital ID to a PDF with No Signature Field

1. Open All Tools in the top toolbar.
2. Select View more to list all tool options.
3. Locate Use a certificate and select to open.
4. Select Digitally sign from the top of the new toolbar.
5. A new window will pop up with the message shown. Select OK.
6. Press and hold on mouse or track-pad to draw a text box on the document.
7. On the new window, select Sign. This will open the Sign with a Digital ID window.
8. Select the Configure New Digital ID button at the bottom of the window.
9. A new window will open. Select the third option, Create a new Digital ID. Select Continue.
10. On the Select the destination of the new Digital ID window, select the Save to File option. This will save to your computer to use later. Select Continue.
11. On the Create a self-signed Digital ID window, add your name and email address. Organizational Unit and Organizational Name are optional. You don't have to change the last three fields. Select Continue.
12. To save the self-signed Digital ID to a file, select the Browse button to choose the file location on your computer.
13. Add and confirm a password to protect the Digital ID. Passwords must be at least 6 characters long.
14. Select Save.
15. On the Sign with a Digital ID window, highlight the radio circle beside your Digital ID and select the Continue button.
16. When the Sign as “Name” window opens, enter the password created and select Sign.
17. A Save as PDF window will appear. Select Save to finish adding the Digital ID signature.
18. The Digital ID should appear with a time stamp in the signature field.

For more information on signing PDFs, visit this Adobe support guide.