How to Create and Add a Digital Signature Certificate to a PDF

In this guide & video, we’ll show you how to sign a PDF document with a digital certificate signature.

With this method, you can easily sign documents without having to print them out and take them to an office or mail / post them.

If you’re looking to improve your office efficiency or learn how to sign documents digitally with a digital certificate, then this guide &  video is for you!

We’ll show you how to sign a PDF document with a digital certificate signature, and discuss some of the benefits of using this method.
After watching this guide or video, you’ll be able to sign documents effortlessly! Easy step-by-step guide.

FREE Adobe Reader can be downloaded here: https://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/
or
Adobe Acrobat can be downloaded here: https://www.adobe.com/uk/acrobat/free-trial-download.html

Don’t forget to check out the video and subscribe for further pdf tips.

Note: Once this is setup it’s a 3-step process to sign a document, to setup please follow the below step-by-step instructions

Step by Step Guide

  1. Make sure Adobe Reader full version is installed
  2. Open the PDF or Word Document in Adobe Acrobat
  3. Click on Tools in the main menu
  4. in the Search tools box enter: Digital
  5. Now you will see Certificates below, click on the Digitally Sign button on the right-hand side
    Digitally Sign PDF with a Certificate

  6. Create a box where you want to sign the document, i.e. left mouse click hold down and drag the mouse to the bottom right and release
    Sign a PDF at a certain position on the pdf page

  7. On the next screen ‘Configure a Digital ID for Signing’ click the “Create a new Digital ID” option and click the “Continue” button
    Create a pdf digital id

  8. Enter your name, address and email details and click the “Save” button when done
    Create a Digital ID Certificate

  9. Now select the ID to use and click the “Continue” button 
  10. To add a Signature Image click the “Edit” button
  11. Click the “Draw” icon, if an image is already present to clear it click the “Text” then “Edit” buttons again
  12. Draw your Signature
    PDF Draw Your Signature

  13. Click the “Save” button
    Sign with a Digital Certificate

  14. Click the “Sign” button
  15. Save your pdf to a new name e.g. example-signed.pdf

    All done.
    Signed PDF with a Digital Signature Certificate

    Next time you need to sign a document
  16. You can simply click “Digitally Sign” (Step 5 above)
  17. Select the Area you wish to sign on the pdf page, choose the Digital ID Signature to use and click “Sign”

    That’s it! – If you’re stuck then please watch the step-by-step example video below

    Extra Tip:     To lock the file from further changes after signing click the “Lock document after signing” checkbox on the “Sign As” screen.