Are electronic signatures from free PDF tools legally valid?

PDF Legacy creates e-signatures compliant with ESIGN and UETA standards. Signatures include timestamp and signer metadata. However, check your jurisdiction's specific requirements for court-admissible documents.

How do I sign a PDF without printing and scanning?

Upload your PDF to PDF Legacy, click "Sign," and draw your signature with mouse/touchpad, type it as text, or upload an image of your signature. Position it anywhere and download the signed PDF.

Can I add multiple signatures to one PDF document?

Yes. PDF Legacy allows unlimited signature fields. Add your signature, then add fields for others. Each signer can place their signature independently — ideal for contracts requiring multiple parties.

Is it safe to sign confidential documents on free online PDF tools?

PDF Legacy processes signatures locally — your document never uploads to servers. This makes it safer than cloud-based alternatives for NDAs, employment contracts, and financial agreements.

How do I create a digital signature certificate for PDFs?

PDF Legacy supports drawn and typed signatures. For certificate-based digital signatures (PKI), you'll need Adobe Acrobat or dedicated signing software. PDF Legacy is ideal for standard e-signatures.

WorkspaceKnowledge Base

Edit & Optimize · Tool

Sign PDF document

Draw, type or upload your signature — place it anywhere on the PDF

Upload

›

Sign

›

Download

Drop your PDF to sign

Draw, type or upload your signature — place anywhere on the document
100% secure · Processed locally · Zero retention

Accepts:PDFAny PDF

Files never stored · End-to-end encrypted

#HOW IT WORKS

How to sign a PDF document online

Draw, type, or upload a signature and place it anywhere on your PDF.

Upload your document

Select a PDF file from your device. The document loads in your browser with page navigation.

Create and position your signature

Draw a signature with your mouse or touchscreen, type your name, or upload an image. Drag the signature onto the target page.

Download the signed file

Click download to output a new PDF file with the signature embedded into the document bytes.

#WHY IT MATTERS

In-browser PDF signing vs cloud e-sign platforms

PDF Legacy processes document signing locally in your web browser instead of sending files to a third-party server.

FEATURE COMPARISONCloud E-Sign Platforms

PDF LegacyRECOMMENDED

File processing location

Uploaded to third-party cloud servers

Processed locally in browser memory

Account requirement

Requires user registration and login

No account or registration needed

Signature placement

Fixed text fields in many tools

Drag and position anywhere on page

Additional elements

Signature only in basic plans

Signatures, initials, dates, and custom text

Document retention

Stored on cloud servers for days/months

Zero server storage or retention

#WHY PDFLEGACY

Features for signing PDF documents

Everything runs inside your browser using HTML5 Canvas and pdf-lib.

Three signature creation methods

Draw using a mouse or touchpad, type your name in cursive styles, or upload a PNG image of your existing signature.

Drag and resize positioning

Place signatures, initials, dates, or text on any page and adjust size or location before saving.

Ink color selection

Select blue, black, dark grey, or cyan ink for drawn and typed signatures to match document standards.

Multi-element support

Add signatures, initials, current dates, and text notes onto multiple pages within the same document.

Embedded PDF image layers

Signatures are flattened into the PDF content stream rather than stored as removable annotation overlays.

Local browser security

Document bytes never leave your machine. All canvas rendering and PDF generation happen in client-side JavaScript.

#FAQ