How to sign a PDF on your phone

To sign a PDF on your phone, open it in a signing tool, draw your signature with your finger, place it on the signature line and save a new copy. Once your signature is saved, signing the next document takes a couple of taps. You no longer need to print, sign with a pen and scan the page back in.

How to sign a PDF on Android

1. Open the PDF in a signing tool.
2. Create your signature by drawing it on the screen. Turn the phone sideways for more room.
3. Save the signature so you can reuse it.
4. Scroll to the page that needs signing and tap where the signature should go.
5. Drag it onto the line and resize it so it looks natural, not huge.
6. Add the date or your printed name nearby if the form asks for it.
7. Save the signed copy with a new name, such as "Contract - signed".

Check every page. Contracts often need a signature or initials on more than one page.

Tips for a signature that looks right

• Use a stylus if you have one. A cheap capacitive pen gives smoother lines than a finger.
• Sign larger than you need, then shrink it. Drawing small makes shaky lines. Scaling down hides them.
• Use a dark colour. Black or dark blue prints and scans clearly.
• Keep it consistent. Use the same saved signature each time rather than drawing a new one.
• Size it to the line. A signature that overlaps other text looks careless and can make a form hard to read.

Electronic signature or digital signature?

These two terms are often mixed up.

An electronic signature is any electronic sign that you agree to a document. A drawn signature placed on a PDF is an electronic signature, and so is typing your name or ticking an "I agree" box.

A digital signature is a specific technical method that uses a certificate and cryptography to prove who signed and that the file has not changed since. It is used for some legal, government and business documents.

For everyday paperwork, such as rental agreements, job offers, school forms and delivery notes, a drawn electronic signature is widely accepted. Some documents, such as certain property, court or government filings, may require a certified digital signature or a wet ink original. Rules differ between countries, so if the stakes are high, ask the person who sent you the document what they accept.

Lock the signature in place

A drawn signature is often added to the PDF as an annotation, a layer on top of the page. Some PDF readers let people move or delete annotations. To make sure your signature stays where you put it, flatten the PDF before sending. Flattening merges the signature into the page itself. The flatten PDF guide explains when and how.

Filling in before signing

Many documents need details as well as a signature. Fill in all the fields first, then sign, then flatten. If the PDF has interactive fields, a form-filling tool is the quickest route. See how to fill PDF forms on Android.

Keep your signature safe

Your signature image is personal. A few sensible habits:

• store it only in apps you trust, ideally on your phone rather than in an online account;
• do not send a picture of your signature on its own;
• sign only the final version of a document, after reading it;
• keep a copy of everything you sign.

A signature on a PDF can be copied by someone determined, just as a paper signature can be traced. That is one reason important organisations use extra checks. If you ever need to confirm whether a document you received was changed after signing, the guide to spotting signs a document was edited can help.

Signing PDFs with PDF Burrow

With Sign PDF in PDF Burrow, you draw your signature once, then tap to place it on any page. The document stays on your phone and is not uploaded. You can fill in fields with Fill Forms, add a date or name with Add Text, and lock everything in place with Flatten PDF before sending.

Frequently asked questions

Is a signature drawn on a phone legally valid?

In many countries, electronic signatures are accepted for most everyday contracts. Some documents need a certified digital signature or a paper original, so check with the other party when it matters.

Can I sign a PDF that is a scanned image?

Yes. A signature can be placed on any page, including a scan. It sits on top of the image like a stamp.

How do I add initials to every page?

Draw your initials as a separate small signature, save it, then place it on each page where initials are needed.

Can someone remove my signature from the PDF?

If the signature is an annotation, some apps can move or delete it. Flattening the PDF before you send it merges the signature into the page and makes that much harder.