How to Remove Signature from PDF

Need to remove a signature from a PDF? Whether it’s an error, a replacement, or a necessary change, we’ve got you covered!

This page shows you how to easily remove signatures using Adobe Acrobat, plus two free workarounds with a PDF signature remover. No stress, just solutions!

Remove Digital Signature from PDF with Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a reliable tool for removing digital signatures from a PDF, offering two key features for this. However, it requires a $29.99/month subscription.

Fortunately, if it’s not a digital signature but an e-signature or overlay signature image, you can use a free signature remover to bypass the subscription and remove the signature.

Method 1. Use the “Clear Signature” Feature

For this method, you must be the signer of the PDF.

If you are not the signer, removing a digital signature may violate security policies, legal regulations, or compliance standards, and could invalidate the document.

Step 1. Open Adobe Acrobat, click “File”, and select “Open” to load the PDF.

Step 2. Find the signature, then locate the page where it appears.

Step 3. Hold the Control key (Cmd on Mac), click the signature, and select “Clear Signature” from the menu.

Method 2. Use the “Redact” Feature

Redacting a signature permanently removes it, preventing recovery or misuse. Even if a page contains multiple digital signatures, you can redact the entire page with just one click.

Step 1. Open the signed PDF in Adobe Acrobat.

Step 2. Go to “Tools” and click “Redact”.

Step 3. Select the signature, drag it to cover it, then click “Apply” in the top-right corner.

Step 4. Save a copy of the modified PDF, as redaction is permanent and cannot be undone.

Not a subscriber to Adobe Acrobat and don’t want to pay for it? No problem! Check out the free solutions PDFgear offers—no registration required.

Worried about watermarks, ads, or viruses? None of those appear in PDFgear, the free PDF signature remover.

Remove Signature from PDF with a Free Signature Remover

PDFgear never disappoints when it comes to PDF-related processing. Whether you need to remove a flattened signature permanently merged into the file or an overlay signature image, PDFgear offers various methods to remove them and ensure they can’t be restored.

Method 1. How to Delete Signature from PDF by Printing

Step 1. Download and PDFgear on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android and open a PDF.

Step 2. Go to “Comment”, select “Rectangle”, then click and drag to cover the signature. Adjust the size, position, and color as needed.

You can adjust the size, position, and color of the rectangle to ensure it completely covers the signature.

Step 3. Print to PDF and save a copy.

Since the rectangle only hides the signature, printing the file as a new PDF ensures the change is permanent and uneditable.

Method 2. How to Delete Overlay Signature Image from PDF

When dealing with a signature image overlay, PDFgear provides an efficient solution to remove it with just a few clicks.

And PDFgear works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, ensuring compatibility.

Step 1. Download PDFgear and open the PDF containing the signature image to be deleted.

Step 2. Locate the signature image and click on it. A toolbar will appear—select “Delete” to remove it.

Step 3. Save your changes by clicking “Save” to update the PDF.

Remove Signature from PDF Online Free

PDFgear’s online PDF signature remover is a no-download, no-installation tool for removing digital signatures from PDFs while ensuring data security.

Step 1. Visit the PDFgear online PDF editor on your web browser and open a PDF.

Step 2. Click “Add or Edit annotations” on the top right, use the “Add Shape” Tool, then select the “Rectangle” option.

Step 3. Cover the Signature by drawing a rectangle over it. Adjust the color, size, and opacity as needed.

Step 4. Finalize the Changes by clicking “Print file” to save the modified PDF.

Note: The rectangle only hides the signature. If someone removes the overlay, the signature will reappear. Printing the file as a new PDF makes the change permanent and uneditable.

FAQs

Is it legal to remove a signature from a PDF?

Removing a digital signature without the signer’s consent is unethical and may violate legal or security policies. For security reasons, you can only remove your own signature.

Why can’t I remove the signature from a PDF?

The signature may be embedded in the document, making direct removal impossible. As a workaround, PDFgear allows you to cover it with a rectangle and print the modified PDF. Check the detailed steps in the Second Method Above.

What software can remove a digital signature?

Adobe Acrobat allows you to clear a digital signature, but doing so may have legal consequences. Always ensure you have proper authorization before removing a signature.

How can I edit a signed PDF?

PDFgear lets you edit a signed PDF for free with various tools. Simply download PDFgear, open your PDF, and use the “Edit” toolbar to add text, shapes, comments, images, and stamps. It also allows you to edit existing text directly without converting the file. Try it for free!

The Conclusion

This article explores various methods to remove signatures from PDFs. Adobe Acrobat provides professional tools for signature removal, while PDFgear offers a completely free solution to erase signatures permanently and save costs. Give PDFgear a try!