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Digital Signatures for Adobe Reader end Users

grandxprix
Registered: Nov 14 2007
Posts: 63

Ok, I have some knowledge of Acrobat, but in no way near an expert. My question is: I am a real estate agent. I created a fillable form with a digital signature field so my client can fill out the form, digitally sign the document and email back to me. Ok, here is where I get real fuzzy. I know I can use a 3rd party to validate my signature with a certificate. And I think it cost around 19.00 dollars from verisign. Now my client who is opening this document filling out the form and creating a digital signature using adobe reader...is the world saying that since my client used Adobe Reader to create a digital signature, it is not technically Valid (not legally binding). My client would also have to go to a third party to have a digital ID Certificate as well. And if that is the case, I would hate to ask my client "Hey I need 20 bucks so you can sign a legal Digital Signature to this sales agreement" This seems like a big obstacle rather than emailing the document, they sign it and fax it back to me for free!!

My Product Information:
Acrobat Pro 8, Windows
pddesigner
Registered: Jul 9 2006
Posts: 858
Read this Adobe tech note on digital signatures for Reader users.

[url=http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=328647&sliceId=2]http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=328647&sliceId=2[/url]

My favorite quote - "Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

grandxprix
Registered: Nov 14 2007
Posts: 63
Eugene I appreciate the information you gave me, but I did not see to much information dealing with digital signatures for reciptants using Reader. Maybe I missed something in the link you provided.

I would like to find out how end users (clients) using adobe reader can sign a valid legal contract. Is Adobe saying That a companies clients receiving a form that requires a digital signautre, they to must go out and purchase certificate from a 3rd party. I cant image that was adobe plan.
pddesigner
Registered: Jul 9 2006
Posts: 858
Hi grandxprix,

Adobe Reader users can sign a PDF. Read the features in this link
[url=http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/matrix.php]http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/matrix.php[/url]

Download the latest version of Reader and read the help subject on digital signatures so you can instruct them on how to sign the doc.

I also suggest installing a javascript to check the users version of Reader. Ted Padova has published a free ebook - "101 eForm Tips" that has the code.

Also check the internet on the legalities of digital signatures. Some states do not honor a digitally signed PDF doc.

My favorite quote - "Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.