How to Add a Digital Signature to a PDF in Google Drive

When someone emails you a PDF contract, invoice, or legal document, the traditional workflow involves downloading the file to your computer, paying for a premium Adobe Acrobat subscription to sign it, and then uploading it back to an email draft. Not only is this expensive, but it completely breaks your cloud-based workflow.

If you use Google Workspace (Google Drive) to manage your files, you can digitally sign PDF documents entirely within your web browser. Google recently introduced a native e-signature tool for Workspace subscribers, and there are excellent, secure third-party integrations available for free personal accounts.

In this guide, we will show you how to securely add a digital signature to a PDF directly inside Google Drive, without ever downloading the file to your hard drive.

Method 1: Using Google Workspace eSignature (For Business Accounts)

If your organisation pays for Google Workspace (Business Standard, Business Plus, or Enterprise), Google provides a built-in, legally binding eSignature tool directly within Google Docs and Google Drive.

1. Open Google Drive in your web browser and locate the PDF file you need to sign.
2. Double-click the PDF to open it in preview mode.
3. At the very top of the screen, click the button that says Open with Google Docs. (Do not worry, this will not permanently ruin the PDF formatting; Google uses Docs as the editing interface).
4. Once the document opens, click on Insert in the top menu bar.
5. Scroll down the menu and select eSignature. A panel will appear on the right side of the screen.
6. If you are the one signing, click Manage signatures in the right-hand panel.
7. You can now type your name to generate a cursive signature, or use your mouse/trackpad to draw your actual signature. Click Create.
8. Click and drag the new signature from the right-hand panel onto the appropriate line on the document.
9. When you are finished, click Export to PDF. Google Drive will automatically save a brand-new, securely locked PDF file in the same folder as the original.

Method 2: Using the DocuSign Integration (For Free Personal Accounts)

If you are using a free, personal @gmail.com account, you do not have access to Google’s native eSignature tool. However, Google Drive allows you to integrate industry-standard software like DocuSign directly into your cloud storage.

Step 1: Install the Add-on

1. Open Google Drive and double-click your PDF to preview it.
2. At the top of the screen, click the dropdown arrow next to Open with.
3. Select Connect more apps.
4. In the Google Workspace Marketplace window, search for DocuSign eSignature.
5. Click the app and select Install. Follow the prompts to grant it access to your Google Drive.

Step 2: Sign the Document

1. Go back to your Google Drive and double-click the PDF again.
2. Click Open with and select DocuSign eSignature.
3. The document will open in the secure DocuSign web interface. (You may be prompted to create a free DocuSign account if you do not have one).
4. Select I’m the only signer.
5. Click the Signature icon on the left-hand toolbar and drag it onto the document.
6. Draw or type your signature and click Adopt and Sign.
7. Click Finish at the top of the screen.

DocuSign will automatically sync the securely signed document back into your Google Drive, ready for you to share or email to your clients.