Oct 23, 2025 • E-Signature

How to Sign PDFs Digitally: Fast and Easy With PDF.net Tool

To sign PDFs digitally, you need secure software like PDF.net that will allow you to create a digital signature and add it to your document.

Alex Chen

Alex Chen

Technical Content Specialist

how to sign pdfs digitally

To sign PDFs digitally, you need an online tool like PDF.net that will allow you to create a digital signature and add it to the document. Once you’ve signed the file and downloaded it, it won’t be stored on our database, so you won’t have to worry about any data leaks.

With the convenience and ease of use of digital signatures, more and more companies and institutions are resorting to paperless documents. Because of this, it’s recommended to have a secure and reliable tool you can use to sign PDFs online. Today, we will explain how you can do so using PDF.net and share some of our software’s key features.

Let’s start!

Key Takeaways

  • You can sign PDFs in minutes with PDF.net—just upload your document, create or upload your signature, place it, and download the signed file securely.
  • PDF.net doesn’t store your files, ensuring full privacy and protection against data leaks thanks to end-to-end HTTPS encryption.
  • Avoid common mistakes like using unverified software, signature images, or different versions of your signature, as these can invalidate the document.
  • Digital signatures offer faster, more secure, and more convenient signing than handwritten ones, with added encryption and audit trails for authenticity.
  • With PDF.net, you can sign documents online from any device, without installing extra software, making it ideal for quick, paperless transactions.

How to Sign PDFs Digitally Using PDF.net Tool

To sign PDFs digitally with PDF.net, all you have to do is upload your document to our tool, create a signature, and add it to your file. The software also offers a more secure and convenient way to sign PDFs electronically with ease, as it’s protected by end-to-end encryption.

If you’re unfamiliar with using our PDF editor, here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow:

#1. Upload Your PDF to PDF.net

Upload Your PDF to PDF.net

Select Sign PDF, click Choose File, and then select the document you want to upload. After you have uploaded your PDF, you’ll be prompted to choose the signature method.

#2. Choose the Signature Method

Choose the Signature Method

After the tool processes the file, you can either type in your signature, draw it, or use a signature image from your device.

Unfortunately, you can’t sign multiple PDFs digitally using our tool. However, PDF.net enables you to process each document in seconds, so you can efficiently e-sign several files in no time.

#3. Place Your Signature and Save Your File

To place or add a signature to the PDF, select one of the signature options from our tool. When done, you can download your signed PDF directly after paying a one-time fee.

Since PDF.net doesn’t save any of your files on our servers, you can be confident that any information on the files won’t be compromised.

How to Create a Digital Signature

To create a digital signature, you need secure software like PDF.net. When done, you can save your signature to your device and include it in other PDFs when necessary.

Since digital signatures are legally binding and unique to every document, you can’t just follow the same process for making an electronic signature, which is merely a copy of your signature.

3 Crucial Mistakes to Avoid When Signing PDFs Digitally

Since digital signatures are becoming more common, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the common mistakes you should avoid when signing PDFs digitally.

These include:

  • Using suspicious software. When signing documents that contain private information, you should use secure digital signature tools like PDF.net; otherwise, you may risk leaking sensitive data.
  • Using a different signature. Your digital signature is legal, so it’s important to use the verified version when signing PDFs digitally, too. Using a different signature may nullify the validity of the document and render any contracts or agreements void.
  • Using an image of the signature. You can’t just upload an image of your handwritten signature and use it as a digital signature. Digital signatures are encrypted to ensure that they cannot be forged, so simply using an image will make its authenticity questionable.

3 Key Benefits of Signing PDFs Electronically

There are some benefits to signing PDFs electronically compared to handwritten signatures, such as:

  • Improved convenience. One of the best advantages of digital signatures is their improved convenience, as they allow you to add a signature to a PDF on any device at any time.
  • Faster results. When you sign documents online, you can receive and send the file back on the same day that you receive the request, regardless of where you are. Meanwhile, adding your handwritten signature to a physical copy of the document can require days of waiting for the document to arrive and be sent back to the receiver.
  • Better security. Since the files will only be seen by the intended recipient, paperless document signing also offers better security than traditional methods. Plus, digital signatures often include encryption and audit trails, so you can be assured of the document’s authenticity.

Why You Should Use PDF.net to Sign Your PDF Documents

From its user-friendly design to safe and secure software, there are several advantages to using PDF.net’s online PDF editor to sign your documents.

Let’s discuss these further:

#1. User-Friendly Design

Some software requires multiple steps to sign PDFs digitally, but with PDF.net’s simple and user-friendly design, you can easily add your electronic signature in seconds. All you have to do is upload your file, create or add your e-signature, and download the document.

#2. Safe and Secure Software

PDF.net uses advanced HTTPS encryption to keep our platform safe so you can be assured that you are making secure PDF signings and that your information won’t be compromised in any way. Moreover, once you’re done using our tool, your files won’t be stored on our database to completely reduce the risk of data breaches.

#3. Availability on All Devices

As one of the best PDF editors, PDF.net is available and can be accessed on all devices as long as you have an internet connection. This offers a highly convenient way to sign PDFs digitally, since you don’t have to download any additional software or set up complicated programs.

How to Sign PDFs Digitally FAQ

#1. Is a digital signature legally binding?

Yes, a digital or electronic signature is legally binding in states covered by federal law as long as it meets the requirements of the ESIGN Act. In states where federal law doesn’t apply, digital signatures may still be legally binding if they meet the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) requirements.

#2. Can I sign PDFs on mobile devices?

Yes, you can sign PDFs on mobile devices using PDF.net. As cloud-based software, you can easily sign PDFs digitally on our tool as long as you have a stable internet connection. Simply open the PDF editor on your mobile browser and add your signature.

#3. Why is my PDF not allowing a digital signature?

If your PDF does not allow a digital signature, it’s likely because the file is set to read-only mode. This is why it’s important to prepare the document before requesting any signatures.