How to Sign a PDF for Free (No Sign-Up, No Watermark)
By Henry Stein · August 29, 2026
Someone's sent you a form or a contract to sign, and the last thing you want to do is print it, sign it, scan it, and email it back. You don't have to. You can add your signature to a PDF in a couple of minutes — without installing anything or uploading your document to a server.
This guide shows you how to sign a PDF for free using StylusPDF. The whole thing runs in your browser, which means your document never gets uploaded anywhere. It stays on your device from start to finish.
Sign a PDF in four steps
- Open the Sign tool. Head to the StylusPDF Sign page and click Open PDF, then choose the document you need to sign.
- Create your signature. Draw it with your mouse or finger, type it and pick a style, or upload an image of your existing signature.
- Place it. Drop your signature where it belongs, then drag to move it and resize it to fit. Add the date or your initials the same way if you need them.
- Download. Click Download and your signed PDF saves straight to your device. No account, no watermark.
That's it. Most people are done in a couple of minutes.
Is an electronic signature actually valid?
For most everyday documents — agreements, consent forms, offer letters — yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognised in South Africa under the ECT Act, in the US under the ESIGN Act, and across the EU under eIDAS, among many others. A typed or drawn signature you place yourself counts as an ordinary electronic signature.
A few high-stakes documents — things like wills, or certain property and court filings — can demand a witnessed or specially certified signature, so it's worth checking the requirements for anything major. And note that this kind of visible signature isn't the same as a cryptographic digital signature, which embeds a tamper-proof certificate — that's a different tool for a different job. None of this is legal advice; when in doubt, check what the specific document requires.
Your document never leaves your device
Most online PDF tools upload your file to their servers to process it. A contract is about as sensitive as documents get — uploading it means handing a stranger's server a copy.
StylusPDF works differently. Every tool runs client-side, directly in your browser. Your PDF is never uploaded, never stored, and never seen by anyone but you. When you close the tab, it's gone.
Sign your PDF now
Ready to get that document signed and sent back? The Sign tool is free to use — open your file and you'll have it done in a couple of minutes.