e-Sign PDF
Place digital signatures securely on your documents. Draw your signature, type it in cursive, or upload an image stamp.
Drag & Drop PDF file to sign
or click to browse from your device
The ability to sign documents electronically has transformed modern business workflows. Contracts, forms, agreements, rental applications, and HR documents no longer require printing, signing by hand, scanning, and re-uploading. With PDFLocal's e-Sign PDF tool, you can place a professional-looking electronic signature anywhere on any PDF document, all within your browser, without uploading the document to any external server.
PDFLocal supports three signature creation methods to suit different preferences: drawing a freehand signature using your mouse or touchscreen, typing your name and rendering it in a choice of elegant cursive fonts, or uploading a photograph of your handwritten signature with a transparent background. Once created, your signature can be placed on any page of your document, resized, repositioned, and locked in place before downloading the signed PDF.
How to Electronically Sign a PDF
- Upload your PDF: Drag your document into the upload zone. The tool renders a visual preview of each page in your browser.
- Create your signature: Click "Add Signature" and choose your method — draw, type, or upload an image.
- Place the signature: Drag your signature to the correct position on the page. Use the handles to resize it to the appropriate size.
- Download the signed PDF: Click "Apply Signature & Download" to embed the signature permanently into the PDF and download the signed file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electronic signature from PDFLocal legally valid in India?
Under the Information Technology Act 2000 and the IT (Amendment) Act 2008, electronic signatures are legally recognised in India for most types of documents and transactions. A typed or drawn signature created using a tool like PDFLocal constitutes a valid electronic signature under Section 5 of the IT Act. However, for specific categories of documents — including wills, power of attorney documents, negotiable instruments, and certain property transfer documents — physical wet ink signatures may still be required. For the vast majority of business contracts, NDAs, employment agreements, vendor agreements, and standard forms, an electronic signature created with PDFLocal is fully legally binding. Always consult a legal professional if you are uncertain about the requirements for a specific document type.
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
These terms are often confused but refer to different things. An electronic signature (e-signature) is any electronic indicator used to sign a document — this includes typing your name, drawing your signature, or uploading an image of your signature. PDFLocal creates electronic signatures of this type. A digital signature is a specific type of cryptographic mechanism that uses Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to create a tamper-evident seal on a document. Digital signatures require a certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA) and can be mathematically verified for authenticity and document integrity. Electronic signatures are simpler and sufficient for most business purposes; digital signatures are used in high-security contexts like government filings, regulated financial transactions, and legally mandated document certification.
Can I save my signature and reuse it on multiple documents?
Yes. PDFLocal saves your most recently created signature in your browser's local storage, meaning it persists between sessions on the same device and browser. The next time you open the e-Sign tool, your previous signature is automatically available for reuse without needing to redraw or retype it. This data is stored exclusively on your local device and is never transmitted to any server. You can clear saved signature data by clearing your browser's local storage (through your browser's privacy settings) or by clicking the "Remove" button in the signature panel.
Does the signed PDF show a digital verification badge in PDF readers?
No. PDFLocal creates visual electronic signatures — images of your signature embedded onto the PDF page. These do not include cryptographic PKI certificates, so PDF readers like Adobe Acrobat will not show a "Verified Digital Signature" badge with certificate details. What your recipient sees is a professional-looking signature image embedded in the document. If you require cryptographic verification badges (common in regulated industries like banking, insurance, or government contracting), you would need to use a dedicated digital signature service like DocuSign, Zoho Sign, or DigiLocker's signing service.
Can I sign PDFs on my phone or tablet with a touchscreen?
Absolutely. The drawing pad in PDFLocal's signature creator is fully optimised for touch input. On a smartphone or tablet, you can draw your natural handwritten signature using your finger or a stylus for a very authentic-looking result. The drawing captures the natural variation and flow of your handwriting just as it would appear with pen on paper. For the most authentic signature appearance on mobile, we recommend using a stylus (like an Apple Pencil or Samsung S Pen) rather than a finger, as styluses produce finer lines and better capture the nuances of your handwriting.
Can I add a signature to a PDF that already has some content filled in?
Yes. PDFLocal works with any PDF regardless of whether it already contains text, form data, annotations, stamps, or other content. The signature tool adds your signature as a new layer on top of the existing document content. It does not modify, erase, or alter any existing content. This means you can fill out a PDF form using our Edit PDF tool first, and then apply your signature using the e-Sign tool as the final step before downloading the completed, signed document.
How do I sign a PDF that requires initials on every page?
PDFLocal currently supports placing one signature at a time on any page you choose. To add initials to multiple pages, you can create a small initials signature (e.g., your first and last initial in the typed font), place it on the first page, download, then reupload and repeat for subsequent pages. Alternatively, you can create all your signature placements in a single editing session if you add the signature, adjust position per page in sequence. A multi-page signature placement feature (stamp all pages at once) is on our development roadmap for a future release.
Will the signed PDF work with other PDF readers and software?
Yes. Signatures created by PDFLocal are embedded as standard PDF image objects, which are compatible with all PDF readers and software worldwide — including Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple Preview, Foxit Reader, Google Chrome's built-in PDF viewer, Microsoft Edge, and all mobile PDF apps. The signed PDF follows the ISO 32000 PDF standard and does not use any proprietary formats or extensions. Recipients of your signed document can open it on any device or operating system without needing any special software.