MudraHow to sign a PDF without printing, scanning or installing anything
· 5 min read
Printing a form, signing it in pen, then scanning it back in is a ritual almost nobody enjoys. For most everyday documents you can skip all of it: open the PDF in your browser, put your name, signature and date where they belong, and download the signed copy in a couple of minutes.
Before you start
You need the PDF on your device and a free Mudra account. The free plan covers three documents a month, which is enough for occasional signing; the 30-day trial has no limit.
If the PDF is password-protected, remove the password first — protected files can't be stamped. A scanned page is fine, because Mudra places your text on top of the page rather than editing the page itself.
Step by step
The whole thing happens on one screen:
- Open Sign in Mudra and choose Upload PDF (or drag the file in).
- Pick a field type from the toolbar — Signature, Name, Date or Text — then click the spot on the page where it belongs. Drag to adjust, and repeat for every place that needs filling.
- Fill the fields in. For the signature, type your name; Mudra shows it in a signature-style typeface. The date field starts with today's date.
- Download the signed copy. Your values are placed on the original pages, so the file looks like the document you uploaded with your details in the right places.
What "signing" means here
Mudra Sign uses a typed signature, not a drawn one. That is a normal and widely accepted way to sign electronically — what makes a signature count is generally the intent to sign and a record that you did, not how the letters look.
It is not a cryptographic or certified digital signature, and it doesn't verify who you are. For routine paperwork like forms, approvals and simple agreements that's usually fine. For anything high-stakes, check what the other party or the law requires.
Documents that usually can't be signed electronically
Electronic signatures are accepted for most business documents, but some categories are carved out by law in many countries. In India, for instance, the IT Act excludes a short list that includes wills, trusts, powers of attorney and contracts for the sale or transfer of immovable property. Other countries have their own lists.
If your document falls near one of those categories, or a court, registry or government office has to accept it, ask them what form of signature they require before you sign anything.
When someone else has to sign too
Signing alone is one flow; collecting other people's signatures is another. Add the signers to the document, assign each field to a person, and each person gets their own private link — all at once or in a set order. You can see who has viewed, signed or declined, and when everyone is done you get the finished PDF with a Certificate of Completion. Signing with more than one person is a Business-plan feature, included in the free trial.
Frequently asked
Can I draw my signature with a mouse or touchscreen?＋
Not at the moment. Mudra Sign uses a typed signature in a signature-style typeface rather than a drawn one.
Is a typed signature legally valid?＋
In most places a typed or other electronic signature can be valid for ordinary documents when the signer intends to sign and the record is kept. The exceptions depend on the country and the type of document, so check any document that is high-value or tied to a registry or court.
Does the original file change?＋
No. Your upload is kept as it was, and the signed copy you download is a new PDF with your values placed on it.
Sign a document in your browser
Upload a PDF, place signature and date fields, and send it to the people who need to sign. Free to start.
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