How to Remove Date and Time from an Acrobat Signature
Question details
The user wants to know if it is possible to remove the date and time stamp that appears below a signature when signing a document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- iPad
- Scenario
- Applying a digital signature to a PDF document using a tablet device.
- Observed behavior
- The signature automatically includes a visible date and time stamp beneath it, which the user wishes to remove or hide.
Check whether you are using a standard PDF form in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or routing the document through Adobe Acrobat Sign, as the signature appearance settings differ significantly between these two workflows.
Customize Signature Appearance in Acrobat Pro DC
Create a new custom digital signature appearance that excludes the date and time stamp.
Standard certificate-based digital signatures in Adobe Acrobat allow users to customize the visible metadata. You can create a specialized appearance template that omits the date to use when signing forms.
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on your primary device. Navigate to 'Edit' > 'Preferences' (Windows) or 'Acrobat' > 'Preferences' (Mac), then select 'Signatures' from the left sidebar.
Locate the 'Creation & Appearance' section and click on the 'More' button.
Under the 'Appearances' box, click 'New' to set up a custom signature style. Give your new appearance a recognizable title.
In the 'Configure Text' section of the appearance window, uncheck the box next to 'Date'. Click 'OK' to save your new appearance settings.
When applying your digital signature on your iPad, select this newly created custom appearance from the drop-down menu to ensure the date and time are hidden.
Use the Fill & Sign Tool for Simple Signatures
Use the basic drawing tool instead of a certificate-based signature to avoid automated timestamps completely.
Sign PDFs Without Forced Timestamps Using WPS Office
WPS Office offers a streamlined PDF editor that allows you to easily draw, type, or import custom visual signatures. Unlike strict certificate-based tools, you have complete control over what text appears next to your signature, ensuring a clean and professional look.
- 1. Open Your PDF: Launch the WPS Office app on your device and open the PDF document you need to sign.
- 2. Access the Signature Tool: Navigate to the 'Insert' or 'Fill & Sign' tab in the top menu and select 'Sign'.
- 3. Create a Custom Signature: Click 'Create Signature'. You can choose to draw your signature freely, type it using a stylized font, or upload a transparent image of your physical signature.
- 4. Place on Document: Drag and drop your newly created signature to the appropriate field on the page. The signature will appear exactly as you created it, with no automated timestamps added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the date and time from a signature after the document is locked?
No. Once a document is digitally signed and saved with a certificate, the signature and its associated metadata (including the date and time) cannot be altered or removed. Doing so would invalidate the document's security seal.
Why does Adobe Acrobat Sign force a date and time stamp?
Adobe Acrobat Sign automatically includes date and time stamps to maintain a legally binding audit trail. This ensures the document's authenticity and compliance with international e-signature regulations, which require exact tracking of when a document was executed.
How can I just draw my signature on an iPad without extra text?
Instead of using certificate-based digital signatures, you can use the standard 'Fill & Sign' feature in your PDF reader. This allows you to draw your signature as a simple image overlay without attaching automated metadata like the time and date.
