How to Create Fillable and Signable PDF Forms for Clients
Question details
The user needs to create online forms that clients can easily fill out and sign via a shareable link, and then automatically receive the finalized copies back.
- Product
- PDF Editors and e-Signature Platforms
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Distributing client intake forms, contracts, or agreements that require remote completion and secure signatures without making clients download specialized software.
- Observed behavior
- Requires a streamlined workflow to distribute forms via link, collect electronic or digital signatures, and receive finalized documents automatically.
Determine whether your clients need to provide a standard electronic signature or a certificate-based digital signature, as this will dictate the specific software workflow and subscription level required.
Use Adobe Acrobat Sign to Distribute and Collect Forms via Link
Adobe Acrobat Sign allows you to turn documents into fillable web forms, distribute them via a URL, and automatically collect signed copies from clients.
Adobe Acrobat provides a dedicated e-signature platform that simplifies the collection of form data and signatures. You can generate a shareable URL for your clients, ensuring a smooth signing experience right in their browser without requiring them to install dedicated software.
Open Adobe Acrobat and use the 'Prepare Form' tool to add necessary text fields, checkboxes, drop-down menus, and a signature field.
Navigate to the 'Request e-signatures' tool. Choose the option to 'Create a web form' or select 'Share via link' depending on your specific Acrobat subscription.
Add the email addresses of your clients or configure the settings to generate a reusable web link that anyone with access can fill out and sign.
Send the link to your clients. Once a client completes the mandatory fields and signs the form, both you and the client will automatically receive a completed, finalized PDF copy via email.
Create Fillable Forms and Add Signatures with WPS PDF
WPS Office features a powerful built-in PDF editor that makes it easy to create interactive fillable forms, insert text fields, and securely apply electronic signatures.
- 1. Open the PDF document: Launch WPS Office, open your target document in WPS PDF, and navigate to the 'Form' tab on the top ribbon.
- 2. Add form fields: Click on 'Text Field', 'Check Box', or 'Signature' to insert interactive elements, then drag them to position them neatly on your document.
- 3. Share the document: Save the document as a standard PDF file. You can then distribute it to your clients via email or by generating a shareable cloud link.
- 4. Fill and sign: Clients can open the shared PDF in WPS Office or any standard PDF reader to type in their details and use the 'Fill & Sign' feature to apply their electronic signature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
An electronic signature is a digital representation of a person's signature, such as a typed name or a drawn image, and is widely used for general agreements. A digital signature is more secure; it uses a certificate-based digital ID to authenticate the signer's identity and encrypts the document to prevent tampering.
Can clients fill out and sign the PDF form on their mobile phones?
Yes. If you distribute a standard interactive form or use a web-based e-signature link, clients can easily complete and sign the document on their smartphones using mobile browsers or apps like WPS Office.
Do my clients need to purchase software to sign the form I send them?
No. When you use web-based e-signature services or standard interactive PDF forms, clients can usually fill and sign them directly in their web browser or by using free PDF reader applications.
How do I make sure the filled data cannot be altered after the client signs it?
Professional e-signature platforms automatically lock the document once the final signature is applied. This generates an audit trail and invalidates the signature if any unauthorized edits are made to the finalized PDF.
