Create an eSignature with Adobe Acrobat Reader


Introduction

OVERVIEW

Target audience: All McGill users who have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on their computer.

Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to securely sign PDF documents. This article explains how to create a signature and add it anywhere in a PDF document using 2 methods:

  1. Fill & Sign (recommended)
  2. Self-signed certificate / Digital ID

Both methods offer the same level of security, however, the Fill & Sign option is recommended because it is easier to use. In most cases you can choose either option, however, some documents may have been configured specifically for signature with a self-signed certificate. In this case, you can only sign with a certificate and the Fill & Sign option will be unavailable.

For more information on eSignatures, see the article *About: Electronic signatures (eSignatures) at McGill.

In this article:

Create an eSignature using Fill & Sign

  1. Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  2. At the top left of the screen, click Tools, then select Fill & Sign.
  3. Select the PDF file you want to sign.
  4. Select Fill & Sign. Do not choose the option Request signatures because Adobe will ask you to upload the document to Adobe Cloud. We have rejected this cloud solution because it is not suitable for storing protected or personal information. See the Cloud Services that have been approved / rejected for McGill use.
  5. In the Fill & Sign ribbon, click Sign yourself, then select Add signature.

    screenshot of Fill and Sign ribbon options

  6. Select Type or draw to create your signature, or Image to apply an image of your signature. Click Apply to save it.

    screenshot of type, draw, and image options

  7. Click anywhere on the document to add your signature.
  8. Click File > Save as to generate a new PDF with your signature.
  9. Send your signed document via your McGill email address to demonstrate your consent and prove your identity.

Create an eSignature using a self-signed certificate / Digital ID

  1. Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  2. At the top left of the screen, click Tools, then Certificates. Select the PDF you want to sign.
  3. In the Certificates ribbon along the top of the screen, select Digitally sign. A message will appear directing you to click and drag to select the area on the document where you would like your signature to appear. Click OK, then proceed to select the signature area.

    screenshot of Certicates ribbon with the digitally sign option highlighted

  4. A message will appear requesting that you configure a Digital ID. Click Configure Digital ID.
  5. Select Create a new Digital ID and click Continue.
  6. Click Save to file, then Continue.
  7. Enter your information (name and email at least) and click Continue.

    screenshot of Create a new digital ID window

  8. Enter a strong password, confirm the password, then click Save.
    note

    NOTE:

    Unfortunately, you cannot recover or reset the password if you've forgotten it. You will need to create a new Digital ID with the same information you used for the previous ID.

  9. Select the certificate you just created and click Continue. You will notice an expiration date on your Digital ID file, which expires automatically after 5 years. Once expired, IDs must be recreated.
  10. To customize your signature, click Create. You can type, draw, or upload a signature. To complete the signing process, enter your password and click Sign.

    screenshot of window to complete the signing process

  11. Save the document. The self-signed certificate will be displayed within it.
  12. Send your signed document via your McGill email address to demonstrate your consent and prove your identity.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES: