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 ET&S Desktop Support webform with as much detail as possible, or contact the ET&S Help Desk team. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.  

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