You don't need to install anything, create an account, or send your document to a third-party server to sign a PDF. LockerPDF's Sign PDF tool lets you draw, type, or upload a signature image and place it directly on a page, entirely in your browser -- the file never leaves your device. This guide walks through the exact steps and, just as important, what kind of "signing" this actually is.
What this tool does
Sign PDF gives you three ways to create a signature: draw it with your mouse or finger, type your name and pick from a few cursive-style fonts, or upload an image of a signature you already have (PNG or JPG). Whichever method you use, you end up with a signature image that you drag onto the page and resize with a corner handle, then stamp permanently into the PDF.
Everything -- rendering the PDF page, capturing the drawn or typed signature, placing it, and writing the final file -- happens with JavaScript running in your browser tab. There's no upload step and no progress bar for a network transfer, because there's no network transfer.
Step by step: how to sign a PDF online
- Go to the Sign PDF tool and drag your PDF into the dropzone, or click to browse for it.
- Pick a signature method from the three tabs: Draw it with your mouse or touchscreen, Type your name and choose a font style, or Upload an existing signature image.
- Once your signature appears, drag it to where you want it on the page, and use the round handle in the corner to resize it.
- Use the page navigation controls if you need to move to a different page before placing the signature.
- Click "Sign PDF." The signature gets stamped into the file, and a download link appears immediately.
If you need to sign more than one page, you can place a signature, click "Sign PDF" on that page, then navigate to the next page and repeat -- each pass adds to the document rather than replacing the previous signature.
Is this a legally binding e-signature?
Be clear-eyed about what you're getting here: this tool adds a visual image of a signature to the page. It does not create a cryptographic digital signature backed by a certificate, and it doesn't verify your identity the way regulated e-signature platforms do for processes that legally require that level of assurance (some real estate closings, certain government filings, high-value commercial contracts).
For the large majority of everyday paperwork -- signing a form for work, initialing an agreement with someone you already trust, filling out a permission slip, returning a signed acknowledgment -- a visual signature placed on the page is exactly what's expected and exactly what most free online signing tools produce, LockerPDF included. If you're not sure whether your specific document needs a certified, ID-verified e-signature, check with whoever is requesting it before relying on a visual signature for something with real legal weight.
Signature methods compared
Draw
Best if you want something that looks like your actual pen-and-paper signature. Works well with a trackpad or touchscreen; a mouse tends to produce a rougher result. You can clear and redraw as many times as you want before placing it.
Type
Fastest option. Type your name once and choose from a handful of cursive-style fonts. Good for quick internal documents where a stylized name is enough.
Upload
Best if you already have a signature image -- for example, one you signed on paper, photographed, and cropped, or one saved from a previous signing tool. PNG is the better format here if your image has a transparent background, since it'll sit cleanly on the page without a white box around it.
Filling out forms alongside signing
If your PDF also has text fields, checkboxes, or dropdowns to fill in -- not just a place to sign -- do that first with the Fill PDF Form tool, then bring the completed form into Sign PDF to add your signature as the final step. Both tools run entirely in the browser, so you can chain them together without ever uploading the document anywhere.
FAQ
Do I need to create an account to sign a PDF?
No. LockerPDF's Sign PDF tool has no signup, login, or account requirement. Open the tool, upload your file, and sign it -- there's nothing to register for.
Is my PDF uploaded to a server when I sign it?
No. The signature is drawn and stamped onto the PDF using JavaScript running in your browser. Your file is read from your device, processed locally, and the signed result is generated on your device -- it never leaves your machine.
Is a signature made this way legally binding?
It's a visual signature image placed on the page, not a cryptographic digital signature with certificate-based identity verification. That's sufficient for most everyday documents but may not meet the requirements of processes that specifically require a certified or ID-verified e-signature -- check your particular use case if you're unsure.
Can I sign a PDF on my phone?
Yes. The tool works in any modern mobile browser, and drawing a signature with your finger on a touchscreen often looks more natural than drawing with a mouse.