How to Access Send for Signature in Adobe Acrobat Perpetual License
Question details
The user is unable to use or find the Send for Signature feature within their perpetual license version of Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to send a PDF document to external recipients for legally binding electronic signatures.
- Observed behavior
- The Send for Signature feature is unavailable or missing from the Tools menu because it relies on Adobe's subscription-based cloud services.
Verify your current Adobe Acrobat version and license track to confirm whether your software natively supports cloud-based e-signature features.
Upgrade to an Acrobat Subscription or Adobe Sign
Switching to a subscription model is required to access Adobe's cloud-based signature routing features.
The Send for Signature feature (powered by Adobe Sign) relies heavily on Adobe's cloud infrastructure. Perpetual licenses (like Acrobat 2017 or 2020) are designed for offline desktop use and do not include access to these ongoing premium cloud services.
Open Adobe Acrobat, click on the 'Help' menu at the top, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat'. Check if your version is listed as a 'Classic' track (perpetual) or 'Continuous' track (subscription).
If you are on a perpetual license, visit the Adobe website to upgrade to an Acrobat Pro DC subscription or purchase a standalone Adobe Acrobat Sign plan.
Launch Acrobat and log in with the Adobe ID associated with your new subscription plan to unlock cloud features.
Open your PDF, go to the 'Tools' tab, select 'Send for Signature', and follow the on-screen prompts to route the document to your signers.
Sign and Share PDFs Easily with WPS Office
If you want to avoid expensive subscription lock-ins just to manage electronic signatures, WPS Office offers a highly capable and cost-effective PDF suite. You can effortlessly sign documents, request signatures, and manage your PDF files all in one lightweight application.
- 1. Open your document in WPS PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF file that requires an electronic signature.
- 2. Navigate to the signing tools: Click on the 'Fill & Sign' or 'Protect' tab located on the top navigation ribbon.
- 3. Create your signature: Click on 'Sign' and select 'Create Signature'. You can choose to draw your signature, type it, or upload an image.
- 4. Apply and share: Place your signature on the desired line in the document, save the changes, and click 'Share' to quickly send the finalized PDF via email or link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'Send for Signature' missing in my Acrobat 2020?
Adobe Acrobat 2020 is a perpetual (one-time purchase) license. Features that require ongoing cloud processing, such as 'Send for Signature', are exclusive to Adobe's subscription-based Document Cloud (DC) plans.
Can I digitally sign a document myself without a subscription?
Yes. If you simply need to add your own signature locally, you can use the 'Fill & Sign' tool or the 'Certificates' tool to digitally sign the document directly on your computer, regardless of whether you have a perpetual or subscription license.
How do I check which version of Acrobat I am running?
Open your Adobe Acrobat application, click on 'Help' in the top toolbar, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat'. The popup window will display your exact version number, track (Continuous or Classic), and whether it is a Pro or Standard edition.
