Adobe Acrobat: Setting up a Digital Signature using Adobe Acrobat Pro (USNH-issued computer)

Summary

This article describes how to set up a digital signature in Adobe Acrobat Pro which is only licensed for use on USNH-owned computers.  You must set up both a digital signature (this article) and a timestamp server before you can digitally sign PDFs using Acrobat Pro.

 

How-To

Task: To setup a Digital Signature in Adobe Acrobat Pro

Requires: An active subscription to Adobe Acrobat Pro or Creative Cloud.  The USNH license only allows for installation of Acrobat Pro on USNH-owned computers.

Note:  You must set up both a digital signature (this article) and a timestamp server before you can digitally sign PDFs using Acrobat Pro. See related article - Setting up a Timestamp Server using Adobe Acrobat Pro (USNH-issued computer)

Instructions

Step 1 - Open Acrobat Pro

Step 2 - Click Edit ->Preferences

Note: On Mac, this is Acrobat Pro DC -> Preferences

Step 3 - Click Signatures under the Categories section

Step 4 - Click the More button under the Identities and Trusted Certificates

Step 5 - Click on Digital IDs on the left

Step 6 - Click the “Add ID” icon (it has a ‘+’ sign on it)

Step 7 - Select “A new digital ID I want to create new” and click Next

Step 8 - Select New PKCS#12 digital ID file. Click Next

Note: This is not a step on Mac. Continue to step 9

Step 9 - Add the following information:

  • Name: Full name
  • Organizational Unit: Your department or School/College
  • Organization Name: (KSC, PSU, UNH, USNH, etc.)
  • Email address: your full employee email address
  • Country Region: no change
  • Key Algorithm: Set to 1024-bit RSA
  • Use digital ID for: select Digital Signatures

Step 10 - Click Next

Step 11 - Choose a password for this Digital ID. The only requirement is it must be 6 characters or more. This is not your USNH or Adobe password.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to remember this password! There is no way to reset this password if you forget it.  If you do forget it, the only recourse is to create a new Digital ID.

Step 12 - Click Finish

Step 13 - You should see your new digital ID in the list. Highlight it and click the Pencil icon (Usage Options). Select “use for Signing”

 

Outcome

You have set up a digital signature in Adobe Acrobat Pro.  

 

Further Readings

Adobe Acrobat: Setting up a Timestamp Server using Adobe Acrobat Pro (USNH-issued computer)

Adobe Acrobat: Digitally Signing a PDF using licensed Adobe Acrobat Pro (USNH-issued computer)

Adobe Creative Cloud: Installing Adobe Creative Cloud Apps on your USNH-issued Computer

 

Need additional help?

To submit a support request, please fill out the Computer and Device Support webform with as much detail as possible, or contact the Technology Help Desk team on your local campus. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.

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