Skip Digital IDs and use DocuSign!
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Some PDF forms require electronic signatures using Adobe Digital ID. You can use Adobe Acrobat Reader to sign documents, but you must use Adobe Acrobat Pro to create forms with signature fields.
Before You Start
Before using Adobe Digital IDs for signature, keep in mind:
- By default, once someone signs a document with a digital signature, it cannot be edited further. Signers can adjust this setting, but a notification will appear on the document if it was changed after signed.
- Adobe Digital IDs are not created by or verified by UNLV or Adobe. Anyone can create a digital ID with any name. Keep this in mind when considering the authenticity of digital signatures and how this affects your workflows.
Signing Documents
The easiest way to create a digital ID is to do it directly in the PDF form when it is already open in Adobe Reader. To download and install the latest version of Acrobat Reader for free, visit get.adobe.com/reader.
- Navigate to the Signature field, which is indicated by a small red flag, and select it
- In the pop-up window, select Configure Digital ID.
- Choose Create a new Digital ID, and then select Continue.
- Choose Save to File, and then select Continue.
- Enter your first and last name in the Name field, your department or unit in the Organizational Unit field, “UNLV” in the Organization Name field, and your UNLV email address in the Email Address field.
Leave the bottom three fields as they appear, and then select Continue.
- Select Browse to provide the location where you want to store your digital ID. You can leave the default location if you plan to use this computer for filling out your PDF forms. If you plan to use other computers, you may want to store your ID on a flash drive to take with you. Wherever you decide to store your ID, make a note of that location.
- Create a password that you will remember. You will need it every time you use your digital ID. Select Save.
- Make sure your new Digital ID is selected, and then select Continue.
- Enter the password you used to create your digital ID, and then select Sign.
- After the digital ID displays in the signature field of the PDF file, save it to your computer. When you close and open the file, it will retain the digital signature. You may now email or send the file through other electronic means, as needed.
You can also create a digital ID ahead of time in Adobe Reader without opening a form. For that option, see this short video tutorial.
If you have already created a digital ID, you can use it to digitally sign PDF forms that require an electronic signature. Be prepared to enter the password you selected when you first created your ID. UNLV does not manage this password. If you forget the password, or cannot locate your Digital ID, you can simply create a new one.
Using an ID on your Device
- Navigate to the Signature field (usually indicated by a small red flag) and select the field
- A window will pop up with a list of IDs on your computer. Choose the ID you want to use and select Continue.
- On the signature page, enter the password you selected when you created that ID then select Sign.
- After the digital ID displays in the signature field of the PDF file, save it to your computer. When you close and open the file, it will retain the digital signature. You may now email or send the file through other electronic means, as needed.
Using an ID Stored on another Device (like a Flash Drive)
- Navigate to the Signature field (usually indicated by a small red flag) and select it
- A window will pop up. Select Configure Digital ID.
- Choose Use a Digital ID from a file, then select Continue.
- Select Browse, then navigate and choose your digital ID file. The file should have a .pfx extension. Once selected, enter the password for your signature and select Continue.
- The current ID will now be added to the list of IDs you can use for digital signing. Select Continue.
- Select Continue.
- On the signature page, enter the password you selected when you created that ID again, then select Sign.
- After the digital ID displays in the signature field of the PDF file, save it to your computer. When you close and open the file, it will retain the digital signature. You may now email or send the file through other electronic means, as needed.
Locked Form
Some dynamic PDF forms are designed to lock certain sections and protect them from further editing after a digital signature has been applied. A locked form can be unlocked by removing the associated digital signature.
If changes must be made to a locked form but it cannot be unlocked due to problems removing the digital signature that locked it (see section below), the best solution is to copy the text into a blank form, make the necessary changes, and sign the new form.
Removing a Signature
An Adobe digital signature can be removed from a PDF form by right-clicking on it and selecting the option to Clear Signature, if Adobe Reader is able to locate the digital ID file (with extension .pfx) originally used to create the signature (e.g., if the ID file is loaded on the computer or is accessible on a flash drive). However, if Adobe Reader cannot find the ID file from which the signature was generated, the digital signature cannot be removed from the form.
Need Additional Help?
Additional Resources
For additional assistance, please visit the Software and Applications knowledge base for additional articles. You can also contact the IT Help Desk.