Statements, agreements, service contracts, and application forms increasingly circulate as PDFs, and printing a document just to sign and rescan it wastes time and degrades quality. An electronic signature placed directly on the PDF is faster, cleaner, and in most everyday contexts legally recognized. Here is how to do it properly, and what to know about official requirements such as stamp duty.
Three ways to create your signature
- Draw it. Use your mouse on a laptop or your finger on a phone screen. Closest to your wet-ink signature.
- Type it. Type your name and pick a script style. Clean, but less personal.
- Upload a photo. Photograph your signature on white paper in good light; the background is made transparent automatically.
Step by step: sign a PDF
- Open the signing tool. Go to EasyPDF sign in any browser, computer or phone.
- Upload the document. The file is processed locally in your browser, which matters for contracts and personal data.
- Create your signature with one of the three methods above. It can be stored locally for reuse.
- Place and size it. Drag the signature onto the signature line, resize it to fit the box, and add the date or your name in text if the document requires it.
- Download the signed PDF. Send it back by email or WhatsApp; the signature is embedded in the document itself.
Legal notes for official documents
Electronic signatures are recognized
Indonesian law (the ITE Law and its implementing regulations) recognizes electronic signatures as valid, with certified electronic signatures carrying the strongest evidentiary weight. For everyday business and administrative documents, a drawn signature on a PDF is widely accepted.
Stamp duty (e-materai) is a separate step
Some official documents require stamp duty. Physical stamps do not apply to electronic documents; the official e-materai is issued only through authorized channels. Sign your PDF first, then affix e-materai through an official distributor when required. A signing tool cannot and should not fake a stamp.
Do not compress after signing
If the document also needs to be small, compress it before signing. Re-encoding a file after signing can alter it, and for cryptographically signed documents it invalidates the signature.
Frequently asked questions
Is a drawn signature on a PDF legally binding?
For most private agreements and administrative submissions, yes, it expresses consent like ink on paper. Institutions may require certified digital signatures for specific documents; check the counterparty's requirements.
Can I sign on my phone?
Yes, drawing with a finger on the touchscreen often produces a more natural signature than a mouse.
Is my signature stored on a server?
No. Signature and document are processed in your browser; the signature image is kept locally on your device for convenience only.
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