How to Sign a PDF Electronically for Free
Learn how to sign a PDF electronically for free. Draw, type, or upload your signature and place it on any page — no signup or software required.
Signing a PDF electronically eliminates printing, hand-signing, and scanning. With PDF Shuttle's Sign PDF tool, you can draw, type, or upload your signature and place it on any page — entirely in your browser.
Electronic vs Digital Signatures
Electronic signatures (e-signatures) are the visual representation of your signature on a document — like drawing your name with a mouse or stylus. They are legally valid for most everyday documents.
Digital signatures use cryptographic certificates to verify identity and document integrity. They are required for some legal, financial, and government filings.
PDF Shuttle provides electronic signatures, which cover the vast majority of signing needs: contracts, agreements, forms, applications, and internal documents.
Step-by-Step: Sign a PDF
Step 1: Open Sign PDF and upload your document.
Step 2: Choose your signature method:
- Draw — Use your mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen to draw your signature
- Type — Enter your name and the tool renders it in a signature-style font
Step 3: Select which page to sign and choose a position (bottom right, bottom center, etc.).
Step 4: Click "Sign PDF" and download the signed document.
Best Practices for Signed PDFs
- Flatten after signing — Use Flatten PDF to convert the signature into a permanent part of the page, preventing any further changes
- Protect the signed document — Add a password with Protect PDF to prevent tampering
- Keep a copy — Always save both the original unsigned and the signed version
- Check page orientation — Use Rotate PDF to fix orientation before signing
When Are Electronic Signatures Legally Valid?
In most countries, electronic signatures are legally binding for:
- Employment contracts and offer letters
- Lease agreements and rental contracts
- Purchase orders and invoices
- NDAs and service agreements
- Internal company documents
They may not be sufficient for: wills, court filings, notarized documents, or government forms that specifically require wet-ink or digital signatures.