Is an electronic signature legally valid?

In most countries, yes. The ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS (EU), and similar laws in most jurisdictions recognize electronic signatures for most documents. Exceptions include wills, some real estate transactions, and certain government filings.

What is the difference between electronic and digital signatures?

An electronic signature is any mark indicating intent to sign (typed name, drawn signature, uploaded image). A digital signature uses cryptographic certificates to verify identity and detect tampering. PDFGem supports electronic signatures.

Can I add multiple signatures to one PDF?

Yes. You can add as many signatures as needed — for example, one on each page, or initials on every page with a full signature on the last.

Does signing modify my original PDF?

No. PDFGem creates a new signed copy. Your original file remains unchanged.

Sign Any PDF Electronically with a Drawn or Typed Signature — Free, No Account or Upload Required

March 10, 2026 PDFGem

Signing PDFs electronically has become standard practice for contracts, agreements, forms, and approvals. Yet most tools that offer this feature require you to create an account, upload your document to their servers, and sometimes pay a subscription.

PDFGem lets you sign any PDF instantly — for free, in your browser, with no account required.

How to sign a PDF with PDFGem

Open the Sign PDF tool.
Drop your PDF into the upload area.
Create your signature using one of three methods:
- Draw — Use your mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen to write your signature.
- Type — Enter your name and choose a signature-style font.
- Upload — Use a photo of your handwritten signature.
Place your signature — Click where you want it on the page. Resize and reposition as needed.
Download your signed PDF.

Electronic signatures: what you need to know

Legal validity

Electronic signatures are legally binding in most situations across most countries. Key legislation includes:

United States — ESIGN Act (2000) and UETA give electronic signatures the same legal weight as handwritten ones.
European Union — eIDAS Regulation recognizes electronic signatures across all EU member states.
United Kingdom — Electronic Communications Act 2000.
Canada, Australia, Brazil, India — Each has legislation recognizing electronic signatures.

When electronic signatures are NOT enough

Some documents require qualified electronic signatures (with cryptographic certificates) or even physical signatures:

Wills and trusts (in most jurisdictions)
Some real estate transactions
Court filings that require notarization
Certain government forms

Privacy matters

Documents you sign often contain sensitive information — employment contracts, medical authorizations, financial agreements. PDFGem's Sign PDF tool processes files directly in your browser, so your document is not uploaded to any server.

After signing

Once signed, you might also want to:

Flatten the PDF — Merge the signature into the page so it can't be moved or edited.
Merge with other documents — Combine signed pages with other files.
Convert to PNG — Create an image of the signed page for records.