Fix Incorrect Time Zone and GMT Timestamps in Adobe Sign
Question details
Users are encountering incorrect GMT timestamps or wrong time zones appearing on signed PDF documents in Adobe Sign or Adobe Fill & Sign.
- Product
- Adobe Sign
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Signing a PDF document or receiving a signed document where the timestamp does not match the actual local time or expected GMT offset.
- Observed behavior
- The generated document timestamps are hours ahead or behind the correct local time, failing to accurately reflect time zones or daylight saving time adjustments.
Verify that your computer's local system clock is displaying the correct time and that your operating system is set to automatically adjust for daylight saving time.
Adjust Time Zone Preferences in Adobe Account Settings
Adobe Sign relies on your account's specific time zone configuration rather than your local system clock, making this the primary fix for timestamp issues.
By default, web-based signing services may default to GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) or another organizational standard. Updating your personal profile settings ensures your audit trails and signatures reflect your exact local time.
Open your web browser and sign in to your Adobe Document Cloud or Adobe Sign account.
Navigate to the 'Personal Preferences' or 'My Profile' menu located in your account dashboard.
Locate the 'Time Zone' dropdown menu and select your exact local time zone, ensuring it supports daylight saving time if applicable.
Save your account changes and initiate a test signature workflow to verify that the timestamp now displays correctly.
Verify Local System Clocks for All Signers
If another user is signing the document, their individual system or account settings dictate the applied timestamp.
Consult the Organization Administrator
If adjusting personal preferences does not work, the issue may stem from global account defaults enforced by your organization.
Sign PDFs with Accurate Local Timestamps using WPS Office
Bypass complex cloud account misconfigurations by securely signing your PDF documents locally. WPS PDF utilizes your precise local system time to ensure all signatures and timestamps perfectly match your actual location.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document that requires a signature.
- 2. Access Signature Tools: Navigate to the 'Protect' or 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and select 'Sign'.
- 3. Create Signature: Click 'Create Signature' to draw, type, or upload an image of your signature.
- 4. Apply Signature: Click anywhere on the document to apply the signature, which will naturally align with your local system time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Adobe Sign document show a GMT time instead of my local time?
Adobe Sign frequently defaults to GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) for audit trails and server-side tracking to maintain consistency across global organizations. To display your local time, you must configure your personal account preferences to match your specific time zone.
Can daylight saving time (DST) cause my PDF timestamps to be one hour off?
Yes. If the time zone configured in your signing account or computer system does not automatically adjust for daylight saving time, the resulting timestamp on the signed document will be exactly one hour behind or ahead of your actual time.
If another person signs my document, whose time zone is displayed?
Typically, the timestamp reflects the specific time zone settings of the user currently signing the document. If a recipient in another time zone signs the file, their applied timestamp will align with their local time or their account's default GMT offset.
How do I check if my computer's local time zone is correct?
On Windows, right-click the clock on your taskbar, select 'Adjust date/time', and ensure both the time zone and 'Set time automatically' options are accurate. On Mac, open System Settings and verify your configuration under 'Date & Time'.
