# Electronic signature -- recommendations needed

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-signature-recommendations-needed/783686>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 3, 2017, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-signature-recommendations-needed/783686 "2017-04-03T22:02:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-signature-recommendations-needed/783686/1 "2017-04-03T22:02:32Z")

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I find that in order to apply online for a local commission I need to electronically sign the PDF file. I thought I could just put in a JPEG of my signature, but it wouldn’t accept it.

So there are a bazillion apps out there for electronic signatures. Any recommendations for a good one? Free is best, of course.

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**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-signature-recommendations-needed/783686/2 "2017-04-03T22:24:41Z")

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[This](https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0ahUKEwjFr-L9qInTAhUk9YMKHRFXDfAQFghNMAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Facrobatusers.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2Fpublic_downloads%2F2221%2Fadobe-acrobat-xi-esign-pdf-file-tutorial-ue.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHq_VzOhl9fXuQwLFj-b8d9XOcG2g&sig2=JO_IYPbKMcwK9b2_UHUd6w) isn’t sufficient?

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**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-signature-recommendations-needed/783686/3 "2017-04-03T23:04:37Z")

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When they say “electronically sign”, are they talking about a true [electronic signature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_signature), or just an image pasted in a document? For a signature with actual legal standing, you probably need something more than just a pasted image (depending on laws in your jurisdiction). Do they give any more details of their requirements on the online application?

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**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\
**Post date:** [April 3, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electronic-signature-recommendations-needed/783686/4 "2017-04-03T23:08:38Z")

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Whenever I’ve needed a “true electronic signature” as discussed by **TroutMan** , it has always been through a secure system maintained by the provider of the document. Such as for banking and real estate transactions.

For just pasting in a jpg, Adobe Reader DC does a good job, and it’s free. You click “Fill and Sign.”