Summary

This article has detailed instructions for how to digitally sign a PDF using Adobe Acrobat Pro which is only licensed for use on USNH-owned computers.  Before you can follow the steps in this article, you must first set up a digital signature and timestamp server in your Adobe Acrobat Pro (links to instructions provided).  

If you do not have access to Acrobat Pro, you can follow the instructions for Digitally Signing a PDF using free Adobe Acrobat Reader (personal device).

If you have legal documents or need watermarks, time stamps, or other tracking, consider using Adobe Acrobat Sign instead.  See Adobe Acrobat Sign: Getting Started.

Note: digitally signing a PDF through Adobe Acrobat Pro is not the same as using the "Adobe Acrobat Sign" product. USNH faculty and staff now have access to both options. See E-Signature Options at USNH to help choose which option is best for your situation.

Before you Begin

Before you can follow the steps in this article, you must first set up a digital signature and timestamp server in the Adobe Acrobat Pro app installed on your USNH-issued computer.

See related articles for instructions:

• Setting up a Digital Signature using Adobe Acrobat Pro (USNH-issued computer)
• Setting up a Timestamp Server using Adobe Acrobat Pro (USNH-issued computer)

How-To

Instructions

Before you begin, make sure you have set up both your digital signature and timestamp server (instruction links above).

Step 1 - Open the PDF you wish to sign

Note: some PDF forms come with special fields the enable signing already. This document only covers simple PDFs without these enhancements

Step 2 - Click on Tools, then click on Certificates

Step 3 - The Certificate Toolbar will appear at the top of the document

Step 4 - Select Digitally Sign

Step 5 - A window will appear to direct you to use your mouse to click and drag a box where you want the signature. Click "OK" to clear this and start dragging

Step 6 - Make a box with your mouse cursor. When you release the mouse button, a window will appear (Sign with a Digital ID)

Step 7 - Select the correct signature and press Continue

Step 8 - The window will change and will show your name, the timestamp, and some options

• Appearance: Click this drop-down to use a signature or keep as “Standard Text” to use a default. If you choose Signature, the app will make you create a new one

Note: There is not a "Signature" option in the drop-down on Mac. It only shows "Standard Text", but there is a "Create" button on the opposite side of the window which leads you to the right place. Any new signatures created there then end up in the original dropdown menu once created.)

• To use a signature, select Signature in the Appearance drop-down
• Click Create
• Select an input method: text, Draw (using a mouse), or image. Follow the directions to create a signature using your preferred method
• Click Apply once created
• Keep the “Include Text” options as is
• Give this setup a name in the Preset Name field to save this to your settings
• Click Save
• Select your new preset name in the Appearance drop-down
• Add your password
• Click Sign
• Save the document
  1. To use Standard Text: enter your certificate password in the “Enter the Digital ID PIN or Password… field”
  2. Click the Sign button
  3. Save your document
  4. Once saved, you will get a notification that the document was signed correctly

Outcome

You are able to sign and save a PDF using Adobe Acrobat Pro on your USNH-issued computer.

Further Readings

E-Signature Options at USNH

Adobe Acrobat Sign: Getting Started

Adobe Acrobat: Digitally Signing a PDF using free Adobe Acrobat Reader (personal device) 

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

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

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

Adobe Support - Sign PDF Documents 

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.