With all the information and working online now, documents and signatures are also interchanged digitally.
Some documents or application forms may require verification or need to be protected via signature. The old school way in back days was to simply print a document, sign it and then scan it back to send it electronically via email.
Nowadays, fortunately, we don’t have to do all that as simply electronically signing a Word document or adding a signature block is much more convenient.
Whether you need to cryptographically protect your word document or just need to create a digital signature to verify the contents of the document, you can now do it without having to physically print and sign the document.
Physically signing a document is a lot of hassle and a waste of time, paper, and ink.
Below, we’ll show a better way to do this electronically. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Digital Signatures VS Electronic And Wet Signatures: What’s The Difference?
- 5 Different Ways To Electronically Sign Word Or PDF Documents
Digital Signatures VS Electronic And Wet Signatures: What’s The Difference?
First things first, when it comes to electronically signing a document, there are a few different options.
You can leave a wet signature, an electronic one, or a digital one.
What’s the difference?
Here’s a quick overview:
- A wet signature is simply the normal signature that you leave on a printed or written document that may be uploaded or scanned on a computer. This signature digitally holds no importance and won't be required to verify or authorize an online document.
- Electronic signatures are your initials typed in the signature box on the document, your signature image overlaid on the document. They may also include your signature entered on the document via stylus, touchpad, or any other electronic input device.
This type of signature is used to verify your word or PDF documents. Electronic signatures are accepted as authorization by parties, vendors, etc., and are as good as your original signature on a physical document. Electronic signatures need to be registered beforehand to verify when used for accessing the document.
- Digital signatures are notarized signatures or cryptographic protection for your documents that need high protection. Credentials and specific login details of the person are required to open such documents. These signatures are regulated by certification authorities and are often used in financial transaction documents or company quotations etc.
With that said, there are a few different ways to electronically sign Word or PDF documents. Fortunately, the steps we’re about to cover below work regardless if you’re on Mac, Windows, iPhone, or some other device.
Let’s take a look!
5 Different Ways To Electronically Sign Word Or PDF Documents
There are a few different ways you can sign a document.
Whether you want to sign a Word document, or a work-related PDF contract, or something else, you should be able to do so with the steps covered below.
You can sign a document online, with Adobe’s software, do it online, or through a 3rd-party browser extension.
Let’s take a look at the steps and examples.
1. How to electronically sign a Word document offline with Adobe Sign
If you want to sign your Word document as a PDF you can simply add the signature using the Adobe Sign on Adobe Acrobat Reader.
First import the file in your Adobe reader from Word.
Now when the file has opened in Adobe Reader, choose the Fill & Sign option from the given options below

Now in the Fill & Sign menu select Add signature option from the table

Now a signature menu will open. You can add your signature using 3 methods, either type it choosing from various available fonts, insert the signature by drawing it on a mousepad or stylus or upload an image of your signature.

Finally, apply the signature and simply place it where you want to add the signature in your document.
You can also resize or edit your signature field as needed.
2. Electronically sign a Word document with added software
Another convenient way to electronically sign a Word document is to do it with an extension.
There are many different ways and tools to do this. But one simple way to sign a Word document on the go is with DocuSign. For this, you’ll need to register and download the 3rd-party app.