Do You Need Adobe Sign for Certified Digital Signatures in Acrobat Pro?
Question details
The user is trying to determine whether an Adobe Sign account is necessary to create a legally binding, certificate-based digital signature in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, or if local tools are sufficient.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying a certificate-validated digital signature to authenticate a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- Users are confusing the basic visual electronic signatures created by the Fill & Sign tool with the authenticated, certificate-based digital signatures, causing uncertainty about required software subscriptions.
Determine whether your recipient or organization requires a basic visual electronic signature or a mathematically validated, certificate-based digital signature. Have your digital ID file ready if you plan to sign locally.
Apply a Certified Digital Signature Using the Local Certificates Tool
You do not strictly need Adobe Sign to apply a certificate-based signature; you can use the built-in Certificates tool in Acrobat Pro DC with a local digital ID.
Adobe Sign offers advanced cloud-based signing workflows and identity verification, but it is not a strict requirement for adding a digital certificate to your document. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC allows you to digitally sign files locally using a digital ID.
Launch your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Navigate to the 'Tools' tab at the top of the window, scroll down to the 'Protect & Standardize' section, and click on 'Certificates'.
On the top toolbar of the Certificates menu, click the 'Digitally Sign' button. Read the brief instruction prompt and click 'OK'.
Click and drag your mouse cursor to draw a rectangular box in the document area where you want your digital signature to appear.
A dialog box will appear. Select your existing digital ID from the list and click 'Continue'. If you do not have one, select 'Configure New Digital ID' to create a self-signed certificate or import an existing one.
Enter the password for your digital ID if prompted, click the 'Sign' button, and save the digitally signed PDF to your computer.
Create Certified Digital Signatures with WPS Office
WPS Office offers a comprehensive and user-friendly PDF editor that allows you to add digital signatures, manage certificates, and secure your documents without requiring expensive third-party subscriptions.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document that requires a digital signature.
- 2. Navigate to the Protect Tab: Click on the 'Protect' tab located on the top ribbon menu to access security features.
- 3. Select Digital Signature: Click on the 'Digital Signature' or 'Sign Document' button from the available toolbar options.
- 4. Apply Your Certificate: Choose your digital certificate from the prompt, place the signature box on the document, and save your fully authenticated file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
An electronic signature (like Acrobat's Fill & Sign) is often a visual representation used to signify intent, such as an image of your handwritten signature. A digital signature utilizes a cryptographic digital certificate to authenticate the signer's identity and ensure the document has not been altered.
Does Adobe Acrobat Pro DC include an Adobe Sign account?
Yes, an Adobe Acrobat Pro DC subscription typically includes an individual Adobe Sign account, allowing you to access basic cloud-based signing workflows directly from the application.
Can I create a digital certificate for free without a third party?
Yes, you can generate a self-signed digital certificate directly within Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or WPS Office. However, depending on the legal context, some organizations may require a certificate issued by a trusted third-party Certificate Authority (CA) for full validation.
Why does my digital signature show as 'Invalid' or 'Unknown' to the recipient?
This usually happens if the recipient's PDF reader does not recognize the Certificate Authority that issued your digital ID. The recipient must manually add your certificate to their list of Trusted Identities for the signature to display as valid.
