People ask whether a signature placed on a PDF "counts". The honest answer is that the law in most countries is flexible about the form of a signature, but strict about a few documents and about proof. This guide explains the kinds of electronic signature, what the law says in six places, and what DocPro's Sign PDF does.
This is general information, not legal advice. For a high-stakes document, ask the organisation that will receive it, or a lawyer. Rules change, and this page was checked on 28 October 2026.
Three kinds of electronic signature
The words are used loosely online, so it helps to separate them.
- Simple electronic signature. Any electronic mark that shows someone's intent to sign. A typed name, a drawn signature on a touch screen, or an image of a handwritten signature pasted onto a PDF all fit here. Nothing in the file proves who made it.
- Advanced electronic signature. In the EU, a signature that is uniquely linked to the signer, can identify the signer, is created under the signer's sole control, and makes any later change to the data detectable (eIDAS, Article 26).
- Qualified electronic signature. An advanced signature created by a qualified signature creation device and based on a qualified certificate (eIDAS, Article 3). This is the top level in the EU.
- Certificate-based digital signature. A technical method rather than a legal category. A certificate and a private key are used to seal the document cryptographically, and PDF readers can show whether the file changed after signing. Advanced and qualified signatures are usually built this way.
A picture of a signature is therefore the simplest level. It is common for permission slips, rental applications, internal forms and many ordinary contracts. It gives little protection if the signer later says they never signed.
What the law says, country by country
United States
The federal ESIGN Act says that for a transaction in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a signature, contract or other record "may not be denied legal effect" just because it is electronic (15 U.S.C. 7001). The Act defines an electronic signature as an electronic sound, symbol or process attached to or logically associated with a record and "executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record" (15 U.S.C. 7006). No one is required to use or accept electronic signatures, so the other side can still ask for ink.
The Act does not cover everything. Section 7003 excludes, among others, wills, codicils and testamentary trusts, adoption, divorce and other family law matters, and most of the Uniform Commercial Code. It also excludes court documents and certain notices, such as utility cancellation, eviction and insurance cancellation notices. States may instead adopt the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), which the ESIGN Act recognises (15 U.S.C. 7002). Check your state's version.
European Union
The eIDAS Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 910/2014) sets three rules in Article 25. An electronic signature "shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings" only because it is electronic or does not meet the requirements for qualified signatures. A qualified electronic signature "shall have the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature". And a qualified signature based on a certificate from one Member State is recognised in all others.
In practice, a simple signature image can be valid in the EU, but a court weighs it as evidence. National law can still require particular forms, such as notarial deeds.
United Kingdom
Section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 makes an electronic signature admissible in evidence about the authenticity or integrity of a communication, and defines it broadly as anything in electronic form that "purports to be used by the individual creating it to sign". The Law Commission's 2019 report on electronic execution of documents concluded that an electronic signature can be used to execute a document, including a deed, if the signer intends to authenticate it and any formalities are met. It also noted that a deed still needs a witness who is physically present.
Australia
Under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth), a legal requirement for a signature can be met electronically if the method identifies the signer and shows their intention to approve what is communicated. The method must be "as reliable as appropriate in the circumstances", or proven to be accurate. The Act has exemptions, and Commonwealth agencies can set their own requirements. See the Attorney-General's Department page on electronic signatures and the Act on legislation.gov.au.
Canada
Part 2 of the federal PIPEDA deals with electronic documents and defines an electronic signature as letters, characters, numbers or other symbols in digital form attached to or associated with an electronic document. Provinces and territories have their own electronic commerce statutes, so check the one that applies to your document.
India
The Information Technology Act, 2000 recognises electronic signatures through section 3A, which refers to methods listed in its Second Schedule. Aadhaar eSign, an online service where the signer is authenticated through Aadhaar e-KYC, was added through Second Schedule amendments published by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (gazette notifications). The Act also lists classes of documents it does not apply to, in its First Schedule. A notification of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, S.O. 4720(E) of 26 September 2022, changed that list. The entry for contracts for the sale or conveyance of immovable property was omitted, so that class is no longer excluded. The entry for negotiable instruments now excludes instruments other than cheques, and other than demand promissory notes or bills of exchange issued in favour of or endorsed by an entity regulated by the Reserve Bank of India, the National Housing Bank, SEBI, IRDAI or PFRDA. The entry for powers of attorney now carves out those that empower such a regulated entity to act on the signer's behalf. Trusts and wills or other testamentary dispositions are still excluded. Offices may still ask for a particular method, so ask the receiver.
Quick comparison
- US, EU, UK and Australia: electronic signatures valid by default, with listed exclusions; EU qualified signatures equal handwritten ones; UK deeds need a physical witness.
- Canada: federal and provincial rules differ; check the right statute.
- India: valid through the IT Act for most documents; wills and trusts, and some negotiable instruments and powers of attorney, stay excluded after the 2022 amendment.
Common mistakes
- Assuming one rule covers every document. Wills, many family law papers, some property transfers and court documents often need ink or special forms.
- Treating a signature image as proof of identity. It shows an intention to sign, nothing more.
- Skipping the question to the receiver. Banks, government portals and landlords often state which kind they accept.
How DocPro's Sign PDF works
Sign PDF is a picture-based tool. It lets you draw, type or upload a signature, place it on any page, and save a new PDF with the image written into the pages. The file is processed in the browser and is not uploaded. DocPro's own result note says it plainly: this "is a picture of your signature placed on the page. It is not a certificate-based digital signature."
- Open Sign PDF and choose the PDF.
- Under "1 · Choose a signature", pick a saved signature or press "Create new".
- Choose Draw, Type or Upload image. For Type, enter your name in "Type your name" and pick one of five styles: Classic, Bold, Fine, Hand-drawn or Typewriter. For Upload image, press "Choose image" and keep "Remove white / paper background" ticked for a photographed signature.
- Leave "Save to my vault" ticked if you want to reuse it. Saved signatures stay on the device, in the signature vault.
- Press "Add to page". Under "2 · Place it", drag the signature to the line and drag the round handles to resize it. Use "Copy to all pages" for initials.
- Check every page, then press "Sign and download" under "3 · Save".
Signing is the Pro feature of DocPro. At the time of writing (October 2026) it costs A$5.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. You can set up and place signatures first, and the subscription is requested when you download the signed file. Every other DocPro tool is free.
What DocPro cannot do
- It does not create digital certificates, qualified or advanced signatures, or cryptographic seals. The output is a simple electronic signature.
- It does not check the signer's identity or keep an audit trail.
- It does not lock the file. A signed PDF can still be edited, and Protect PDF only adds a password.
- The web tool does not collect signatures from other people. Place your own, then send the PDF on.
If a form asks for a qualified or certificate-based signature, an Aadhaar eSign, or a witnessed deed, use a service that provides it, such as a trust service provider named by the receiver. For ordinary paperwork where a signed printout would be accepted, a signature image is the same idea in digital form.
Frequently asked questions
Is a typed name a valid electronic signature?
Often yes. In the US, EU, UK and Australia, the key points are intent to sign and a method that fits the circumstances, not a particular look. A typed name can meet that for many documents, but it is weak evidence of who typed it.
What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature?
Electronic signature is the wide legal term for any electronic mark that shows intent to sign. A digital signature uses a certificate and cryptography to tie a document to a signer and show whether it changed. Advanced and qualified electronic signatures are usually digital signatures.
Is DocPro's Sign PDF legally binding?
It places an image of your signature, which is a simple electronic signature. Whether that is accepted depends on your country, the document and the receiver. It is not a certificate-based digital signature.
Which documents often cannot be signed electronically?
Examples named in the laws above include wills, family law matters, court documents and trusts, and in India some negotiable instruments and powers of attorney. Lists differ by country and change over time, so check the current rules or ask a lawyer.