Sign a PDF Electronically — Free, No Upload, Legally Valid

Printing a PDF, signing it with a pen, scanning it back and emailing it is the world's most pointless workflow. An electronic signature placed directly on the PDF is faster, looks cleaner and is legally valid in most jurisdictions (eIDAS in the EU, ESIGN Act in the US). Here is how to sign a PDF for free without uploading it anywhere.

What Counts as an Electronic Signature

An electronic signature is any mark you intentionally place on a digital document to indicate agreement. A typed name, a drawn signature, or a scanned image of your real signature are all valid forms. For most everyday documents — leases, NDAs, employment contracts, invoices — this is enough. For higher-stakes documents, qualified electronic signatures (QES) require a certified provider; this article covers everyday e-signing.

Why You Should Sign Locally

When you sign in iLovePDF, Smallpdf or Adobe Acrobat online, the unsigned PDF and your signature image are sent to a server. For a contract, that means the unsigned version of the deal — and your handwritten signature — sit on a remote machine. A browser-based signing tool keeps both on your device. Nothing is uploaded; you place the signature, save, done.

How to Sign a PDF in Your Browser

Open the sign tool, drop your PDF, choose how to create your signature: type a name in a handwriting font, draw with mouse or touchscreen, or upload a transparent PNG of your real signature. Drop the signature on the page where it should appear, resize, then click Save. The signed PDF downloads — same file, with the signature embedded as a stamp.