Learn how to fill and sign PDFs online for free with Smallpdf’s easy tool. Legally binding, works on any device, with no printing required.
Need to fill in and eSign a PDF? Our Sign PDF tool lets you add text to forms—whether they’re fillable or flat—and place your electronic signature in a few clicks. It’s a quick way to complete documents yourself without scanning or downloading extra software.
Filling forms and signing them electronically has been possible for several years, and the acceptance of electronic signatures continues to grow worldwide.
This guide will show you how to fill in and eSign a PDF for free using Smallpdf. Whether you’re signing a contract or completing an application form, you’re in the right place.
Quick Steps To Fill In and eSign a PDF
If you just want to get your document done fast, start here. 1. Upload your PDF to Sign PDF. 2. Click the “Add text” icon to add text to your form. 3. Select “Signatures” to draw, type, or upload your signature. 4. Place your signature where it needs to go. 5. Download your completed PDF.
Fill and sign PDF forms made easy
How to Fill and Sign a PDF Online
- Go to the Smallpdf eSign tool and upload your PDF form.
- For fillable PDFs, click directly on form fields to enter your information. For flat forms, use the “Add text” option to add text boxes where needed.
- Click on “Signatures” and draw, type, or upload your signature.
- Place your signature in the designated area by dragging it to the correct position.
- Add initials, dates, or additional text boxes as required by the form.
- Hit “Finish & Sign” to complete your document and download the signed PDF.
Many electronic forms nowadays offer editable text fields. If your PDF form has these enabled, you can add your information without using the “Add text” feature. Just click on the (usually highlighted) section and enter your details.
If your PDF form is a scan or simply doesn’t have editable text fields, Smallpdf eSign’s feature will help you out.
Request Signatures on PDFs with Smallpdf
If you need multiple people to sign a PDF, you’ll need to use Sign.com, which supports sending documents to others, placing fields, setting signing order, and tracking progress. Smallpdf’s Sign PDF tool is designed for signing documents yourself.
Pro users get full access to Sign.com, and it’s also included in the 7-day free trial.
Security, Compliance, and Legal Validity
Electronic signatures created with Smallpdf are legally binding in most countries and comply with major e-signature regulations. Our platform prioritizes security and data protection to ensure your documents remain confidential throughout the signing process.
ISO/IEC 27001 and GDPR Compliance
Smallpdf is ISO/IEC 27001 certified and fully GDPR compliant. We implement strict data protection standards and give you full control over your personal information. All processing activities are documented and auditable.
Encryption and File Deletion Policy
All file transfers use TLS connections to protect your documents during upload and download. Your files are automatically deleted from our servers after one hour, ensuring your sensitive information doesn’t remain stored unnecessarily.
Audit Trail and Certificate of Completion
Every signed document includes a detailed audit trail showing when and where each signature was applied. Pro users receive a certificate of completion that provides additional legal protection and verification of the signing process.
Fill and Sign PDF Features in Smallpdf
Our Sign PDF functions are free to use, for everybody. If you have lots of forms to fill in and sign every day, do check out our Pro subscriptions, which removes this usage limitation and enables digital signatures.
Sign PDFs in Seconds
Create your signature once and reuse it across multiple documents. With a Pro account, we’ll save up to five of your electronic signatures so you don’t have to re-draw your signatures every single time.
E-Sign More Than PDFs
Fill and sign Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and image files. Our platform automatically converts these formats so you can complete and sign any document type without switching tools.
Cloud Integrations and Mobile Apps
Connect your Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive accounts for seamless document access. Use our mobile apps on iOS and Android to fill and sign documents anywhere, anytime.
Related PDF Tools
Enhance your document workflow with our Form Filler, Protect PDF, Merge PDF, and Compress PDF tools for complete document management.
Electronic vs. Digital Signatures for PDFs
You’ve probably seen the terms “electronic signature” and “digital signature” used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing.
The simplest way to think about it is this: an electronic signature is like placing an image of your signature on a document. It’s valid for many everyday agreements and is widely accepted across most industries.
However, some documents require a higher level of security and verification. That’s where digital signatures come in. A digital signature adds cryptographic protection, including a timestamp and a tamper-evident seal embedded in the document. If someone edits the file after it’s signed, the signature becomes invalid—making it easy to verify authenticity.
For a deeper comparison, see our guide “The Difference Between Digital & Electronic Signatures.” And always check your local laws to confirm which type of signature is legally binding for your specific document.
Start Filling and Signing PDFs Today
Ready to streamline your document workflow? Try Smallpdf’s eSign tool and experience how easy it is to complete forms and collect signatures online.
Our Pro plan offers unlimited usage and advanced security features. And you can try it free for 7 days with a Smallpdf Pro trial.
FAQs About Filling and Signing PDFs
How do I fill and sign a PDF?
Upload your PDF to Smallpdf’s Sign PDF tool, click on form fields or add text boxes, then draw or upload your signature and place it where needed.
Why can’t I edit or fill in my PDF?
Some PDFs don’t have built-in form fields. These “flat” or scanned documents won’t let you type directly into the page. If that happens, you can still complete the form in Sign PDF by clicking to add text boxes wherever you need to write.
Can I fill and sign a PDF for free?
Yes, Smallpdf offers free PDF filling and signing with some limitations. Pro users get unlimited usage and additional security features.
How do I create a fillable and signable PDF?
Use Smallpdf’s PDF editing tools to add form fields, text boxes, and signature areas to any PDF. You can also convert Word documents with forms into fillable PDFs.
What’s the difference between filling and signing a PDF?
Filling involves adding text, dates, or other information to form fields. Signing means adding your legal signature to authorize or agree to the document’s contents.
Can I sign PDFs on my phone?
Yes, Smallpdf’s mobile apps for iOS and Android let you fill and sign PDFs directly on your smartphone or tablet.
Are electronic signatures legally valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures created in Sign PDF are legally binding in most countries and follow major e-signature standards. Smallpdf also uses encrypted file transfers and automatic file deletion for added protection. For more details, you can check our Trust Center.
