How to Sign a PDF (E-Signature or Digital)
Signing a PDF can mean stamping a picture of your signature on the page, or adding a certificate-based digital signature that proves the file has not changed. They are different things, and it helps to know which one the other side expects.
The two kinds of signature
An electronic signature is a visible mark of your intent to sign: a drawn, typed, or uploaded signature image placed on the document. It is what most leases, forms, and agreements ask for.
A digital signature uses a certificate (a .p12 or .pfx file) to sign a cryptographic hash of the whole file. PDF readers can then show who signed it, and whether anything changed afterwards. ToolkitPoint's Sign PDF does both: the visual signature always, and a PKCS#7 certificate signature when you pick your own certificate file.
Sign in a few steps
- Open the PDF and create your signature: draw it, type it in a script style, or upload a photo of it.
- Place it on the signature line and resize it; add the date, initials, or check marks if the form needs them.
- Sign one page, every page, or a list such as 1,3-5.
- Download the signed file and check every page before sending.
Is it legally binding?
In many places, electronic signatures are generally given legal effect, for example under the US ESIGN Act and the EU eIDAS Regulation. However, some documents have extra requirements, such as wills, some property deeds, or court papers, and some organisations insist on a specific signing platform. When in doubt, ask the person who requested the signature. This guide is not legal advice.
Good habits
- Finish all edits first: a certificate signature is invalidated by any later change to the file.
- Keep a copy of exactly what you signed.
- Do not upload signature images or certificates to sites you do not trust; this tool reads them only in your browser tab.
Primary sources and further reading
Last reviewed: September 28, 2026