In the age of a new digital world, it's increasingly straightforward to share PDF documents and electronic files with anyone via email, with just the click of a button.
We're (thankfully) past the days of fax machines and can even say goodbye to the nuisance of printing PDF documents that need to be signed, scanning them, and then email them through. It's all a bit of a hassle, right?
Thanks to the tools that Adobe Acrobat has to offer, you've got the option to sign a PDF document with your digital signature via a digital ID, from the comfort of your home, and the convenience of your computer.
So, if you'd like to get more information on how to digitally sign a PDF in a hassle-free way, keep reading below!
Digital signatures are as simple as they sound! They're a specific type of electronic signature you can use to add a signature to a document or PDFs online, with a digital ID through Acrobat Reader.
Documents and files that use digital signatures with Adobe Acrobat Reader are recognized globally, so you can be sure that the highest verification checks are performed, for ultimate security.
And unlike other e-signatures, using Adobe Acrobat to sign a document gives you an added layer of security as your digital ID and signature are certificate-based.
This means that your digital certificate is generated by a trusted service provider (TSP), like a certificate authority (CA) which allows you to comply with even the highest of regulations in your specific region or area.
So, whether you're signing a legal document like a contract, or a medical form, you can be sure that your signature on documents is protected to the highest level and comply with even the strictest of regulations.
In order to add a signature to a document, you will first need a digital ID which you can obtain by proving your identity with a trust service provider to ensure that your digital ID is unique to only you.
With Adobe, you have the options to choose from a whole variety of trusted service providers for your digital ID, including a Certificate Authority if needed, meaning that no matter which documents or files you sign, you can be assured that they will fulfill the requirements and regulations of any given law, in any country, and for any organization.
Security is one of the most important factors in making sure your documents and signatures remain safe, which is why after you have signed your PDF document of choice with your digital ID, they are both encrypted and then secured with a tamper-proof seal.
With this, you can be sure that the information in the documents signed, as well as your own digital ID and electronic signature, is safe, and you have the option to send it in the form of an email or store and save it on your computer for future use.
Using a digital signature is a secure process as your digital ID is unique to you. For every time that you sign an electronic PDF document, you must use your own unique digital certificate that has been verified by a certificate authority, as well as a PIN to prove your identity.
This way, even if there are multiple digital signatures on a PDF file, you can be sure that everyone has signed using their personal digital ID, saving you one less thing to worry about.
One of the most convenient features of digital signatures and using a digital ID via Adobe is that even though your digital ID and the digital signature is validated a the time of the signing if in the future you ever need to validate either the signed document, anyone's digital IDs, or signature, you can do so through a Certificate Authority for up to 10 years after the document was signed.
Signing electronic PDF documents with a digital signature is made to be as smooth and hassle-free of a process as possible:
And that's all there is to it! Once the authentication process has been completed, it is confirmation that your PDF file has been signed successfully, and a copy of the finalized document from Adobe Sign will automatically be sent to you alongside the sender and all other parties involved.
You might be considering a digital signature, but you may also be wondering how it's different from an e-signature.
Electronic signatures are used quite commonly and can be used to sign PDFs quickly. It's just a matter of clicking and signing. Simple! You're instantly able to access and view your signed document on all of your devices. Bonsai offers an online signature maker which allows you to draw or type your signature for free.
On the other hand, digital signatures whilst still just as efficient as electronic signatures, provide an added layer of security by encrypting your signature through your digital ID. They're able to cover the broadest range of legal requirements, so it's one of the best options if you work in a demanding industry that requires you to meet high compliance standards.
Whichever you prefer, rest assured that both are legally binding. Read about what is a legal signature if you want to learn more.
To create a digital signature in a PDF, first, open up the document you wish to send. Adobe Sign should recognize the fields that require a signature, so you can either double click or right-click the relevant fields to customize sections like date format, assigned to, and field type.
Once you've edited the document to your liking, you can click 'send a new document' and add yourself along with any other parties who need to sign the file.
You can sign electronically in the signature field and once you've hit 'click to sign', it will automatically send an email to all other participants and prompt them to sign the document too.
To create a signature in Adobe, open your PDF file and click on 'Fill and Sign' on the right-hand side of the toolbar. Click 'Sign' and then select 'Add signature' which will prompt you to add your signature either by typing your name, via your mouse, or by touch screen with a stylus or your finger.
You can then edit the positioning of the signature as you want on the PDF file.
To create a digital signature in Adobe Acrobat DC, first, select and open up the PDF document you want to sign.
In Adobe Acrobat DC, you have the option to use the Acrobat form filler tool which speeds up the process of signing documents even more each time you want to sign a new document. It saves data you put in securely and Adobe Sensei is able to detect the relevant field and fill out the form for you.
Once you have clicked the 'Fill and Sign' section on the right-hand sign, Adobe Sensei will either auto-fill your form for you, or you can manually input the form, editing the document as you see fit.
Next, click 'Sign' at the very top of the page, and then upload an image of your signature, type your name, or sign via a stylus or your finger on the touch screen.
And you're done! If you wish to send and share your PDF with others so they can sign it as well. simply follow the instructions on the page to do so.
A verbal contract (formally called an oral contract) refers to an agreement between two parties that's made —you guessed it— verbally.
Formal contracts, like those between an employee and an employer, are typically written down. However, some professional transactions take place based on verbally agreed terms.
Freelancers are a good example of this. Often, freelancers will take on projects having agreed on the terms and payment via the phone, or an email. Unfortunately, sometimes clients don't pull through on their agreements, and hardworking freelancers can find themselves out of pocket and wondering whether a legal battle is worth all the hassle.
The main differences between written and oral contracts are that the former is signed and documented, whereas the latter is solely attributed to verbal communication.
Verbal contracts are a bit of a gray area for most people unfamiliar with contract law —which is most of us, right?— due to the fact that there's no physical evidence to support the claims made by the implemented parties.
For any contract (written or verbal) to be binding, there are four major elements which need to be in place. The crucial elements of a contract are as follows:
Therefore, an oral agreement has legal validity if all of these elements are present. However, verbal contracts can be difficult to enforce in a court of law. In the next section, we take a look at how oral agreements hold up in court.
Most business professionals are wary of entering into contracts orally because they can difficult to enforce in the face of the law.
If an oral contract is brought in front of a court of law, there is increased risk of one party (or both!) lying about the initial terms of the agreement. This is problematic for the court, as there's no unbiased way to conclude the case; often, this will result in the case being disregarded. Moreover, it can be difficult to outline contract defects if it's not in writing.
That being said, there are plenty of situations where enforceable contracts do not need to be written or spoken, they're simply implied. For instance, when you buy milk from a store, you give something in exchange for something else and enter into an implied contract, in this case - money is exchanged for goods.
There are some types of contracts which must be in writing.
The Statute of Frauds is a legal statute which states that certain kinds of contracts must be executed in writing and signed by the parties involved. The Statute of Frauds has been adopted in almost all U.S states, and requires a written contract for the following purposes:
Typically, a court of law won't enforce an oral agreement in any of these circumstances under the statute. Instead, a written document is required to make the contract enforceable.
Contract law is generally doesn't favor contracts agreed upon verbally. A verbal agreement is difficult to prove, and can be used by those intent on committing fraud. For that reason, it's always best to put any agreements in writing and ensure all parties have fully understood and consented to signing.
Verbal agreements can be proven with actions in the absence of physical documentation. Any oral promise to provide the sale of goods or perform a service that you agreed to counts as a valid contract. So, when facing a court of law, what evidence can you provide to enforce a verbal agreement?
Unfortunately, without solid proof, it may be difficult to convince a court of the legality of an oral contract. Without witnesses to testify to the oral agreement taking place or other forms of evidence, oral contracts won't stand up in court. Instead, it becomes a matter of "he-said-she-said" - which legal professionals definitely don't have time for!
If you were to enter into a verbal contract, it's recommended to follow up with an email or a letter confirming the offer, the terms of the agreement , and payment conditions. The more you can document the elements of a contract, the better your chances of legally enforcing a oral contract.
Another option is to make a recording of the conversation where the agreement is verbalized. This can be used to support your claims in the absence of a written agreement. However, it's always best to gain the permission of the other involved parties before hitting record.
Fundamentally, most verbal agreements are legally valid as long as they meet all the requirements for a contract. However, if you were to go to court over one party not fulfilling the terms of the contract, proving that the interaction took place can be extremely taxing.
So, ultimately, the question is: written or verbal agreements?
Any good lawyer, contract law firm, or legal professional would advise you to make sure you formalize any professional agreement with a written agreement. Written contracts provide a secure testament to the conditions that were agreed and signed by the two parties involved. If it comes to it, a physical contract is much easier to eviden in legal circumstances.
Freelancers, in particular, should be aware of the extra security that digital contracts may provide. Many people choose to stick to executing contracts verbally because they're not sure how to write a contract, or they think writing out the contract terms is too complicated or requires expensive legal advice. However, this is no longer the case.
Today, we have a world of resources available at our fingertips. The internet is a treasure trove of invaluable information, platforms, and software that simplifies our lives. Creating, signing, and sending contracts has never been easier. What's more, you don't have to rely on a hiring a lawyer to explain all that legal jargon anymore.
There are plenty of tools available online for freelancers to use for guidance when drafting digital contracts. Tools like Bonsai provide a range of customizable, vetted contract templates for all kinds of freelance professionals. No matter what industry you're operating in, Bonsai has a professional template to offer.
A written contract makes the agreement much easier to prove the terms of the agreement in case something were to go awry. The two parties involved can rest assured that they're legal rights are protected, and the terms of the contract are sufficiently documented. Plus, it provides both parties with peace of mind to focus on the tasks at hand.
Bonsai's product suite for freelancers allows users to make contracts from scratch, or using professional templates, and sign them using an online signature maker.
With Bonsai, you can streamline and automate all of the boring back-office tasks that come with being a freelancer. From creating proposals that clients can't say no to, to sealing the deal with a professional contract - Bonsai will revolutionize the way you do business as a freelancer.
Why not secure your business today and sign up for a free trial?