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Sign a PDF Online

Draw, type or upload your signature, then click where it goes on any page. Add the date or your name too, and download the signed PDF.

How to sign a PDF

  1. 1

    Choose your PDF

    Pick the contract, form or letter you need to sign. It opens for the current task and is not retained by PilotPDF.

  2. 2

    Create your signature

    Draw it with your finger, a stylus or a mouse, type your name and pick a style, or upload a photo of your signature on paper.

  3. 3

    Place it and download

    Click the page where you want to sign, then drag and resize it to fit the line. Add the date or your printed name if the document asks for them, then click Sign PDF.

Electronic signature or digital signature?

People use these words as if they mean the same thing, but they don't. An electronic signature is a mark that shows you agree, like your drawn or typed signature on the page. That's what this tool adds.

A digital signature is something else: a coded seal made with a certificate that proves who signed and shows whether the file was changed afterwards. Some government forms, banks and legal filings ask for this kind, and you'd need a service that issues certificates to make one.

For everyday things like rental agreements, school forms, offer letters and supplier contracts, an electronic signature is usually fine. If the document is important and you're not sure, ask the person who sent it which kind they need.

Making your signature look right

A signature drawn with a mouse rarely looks like yours. On a phone or tablet, your finger or a stylus works much better. Or sign a sheet of white paper, take a clear photo in good light, and upload it. The paper background is removed, so only the ink shows.

Take a moment over where it goes. Look closely at the signature line and make your signature about as wide as it. It shouldn't run over the printed name or into the margin. If you've put it in the wrong place, drag it, resize it from the blue corner, or remove it and click again.

When you're done, keep a copy of the signed PDF for yourself before you send it. Your signature is now part of the page, but anyone with PDF editing software could still change the document, so your own copy is your record of what you agreed to.

From the blog

Your files are never retained by PilotPDF

PilotPDF does not keep copies of your original files, completed files, passwords, or document contents after processing.

Read our privacy policy for details about analytics and data handling.

Related tools

Fill PDF

Fill in the form fields before you sign.

Protect PDF

Add a password before you send the signed file.

Merge PDF

Attach supporting documents to the signed file.

Add Page Numbers

Number the pages of a long agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose your PDF, then draw, type or upload your signature. Click the page where you want it, drag it into place and resize it from the corner. When everything looks right, click Sign PDF and download the file.
Yes. Move to another page with the arrows and click to add your signature there too. You can place it as many times as you need, on any pages.
Yes. Click Add today's date, or type your name, initials or job title and click Add text. You can move and resize these just like the signature.
Drawing with a finger or stylus on a phone or tablet looks the most natural. Typing gives a neat, even result in one of three styles. If you have your signature on paper, take a photo and upload it; the white background is removed for you.
It's an electronic signature: a picture of your signature added to the page. In many countries that's accepted for everyday agreements, but some documents need a certificate-based digital signature or a witness. If you're not sure, check what the other party or the law requires.
Your signature becomes part of the page, not a separate note on top. But anyone with PDF editing software could still alter the document, so keep your own copy of what you signed. To stop casual changes, you can add a password with Protect PDF.
Yes. Drag it to move it, drag the blue corner to resize it, or click the red cross to remove it. Everything you've added is also listed on the left, with a remove button for each.
No. Your signature and your PDF stay in this browser tab and are gone when you close it. PilotPDF does not retain a copy.
Remove the password first with Unlock PDF, then sign it. You can add a password again afterwards with Protect PDF.
No. Signing is free and you don't need to sign up or give an email address.