PDF is the document format that is used for official documents, and they often need to be signed for complete information verification. However, in this digital era, signing your PDF documents manually every time is not an efficient solution. That's where using a CAC file can be very helpful. A CAC file is a common access card that can be used for validating documents with your digital signature.
It helps maintain the same signature on all documents, and the best part is that it cannot be edited since there is password protection.
In this article, we will discuss a step-by-step guide on how to sign PDF with CAC.
Part 1. How to Digitally Sign a PDF with CAC on Windows and Mac? (Without Adobe)
UPDF is a PDF editing tool that comes with many features to assist you with your PDF working requirements. It can help you sign your PDF documents whether they have a sign area or not.
If your PDF document has a sign area, then the process is straightforward, but if there is no sign area, then you can use the UPDF digital signature feature to add this area for signing the document.
One of the best things about UPDF is that it allows users to sign scanned PDF documents with their CAC file so that it will work on any type of PDF.
So, in this guide, we will explain all the use cases where you can sign your PDF document using the CAC file. UPDF allows users to sign their PDF documents digitally on both Windows and Mac operating systems, so download UPDF and try signing your documents with CAC now.
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Way 1. Digitally Sign PDF with CAC (Pre-ready Sign Area)
The first method is for the documents that already have a sign area. Since your document already has a sign area, the process of signing it with a CAC document will be very straightforward. It will be with no extra steps.
Here is how you can sign these documents:
Step 1: Launch UPDF software on your PC and open the PDF you want to sign by clicking "Open File". The PDF will open in reader view, and you will see a pre-ready sign area available in this document.
Step 2: Click on the sign area and click "Import" from the top. Here, you will import your CAC file by using its file location, and after importing it, click "Sign" to add your digital signature from the CAC file.
Finish by following the on-screen steps to save a signed copy of the document.
Way 2. Digitally Sign PDF with CAC (Without Sign Area)
In some cases, you may need to sign a PDF document that does not have a sign area in it. In that case, you will first create the sign area with UPDF and then use the CAC file with UPDF to sign the document.
So, if you ever come across such a document, you may follow the steps below:
Step 1: Run the UPDF app on your PC and press "Ctrl + O" to open the PDF document that you want to sign. When the PDF opens, you will go to the "Prepare Form" option from the left side and click "Digital Signature" from the top. Now, you can click and drag the cursor to add a digital signature area in PDF and resize it as you need.
Step 2: After adding the digital signature area, you will click "Preview" from the top right and click on the sign area. Now click "Import" and import your CAC file, then click "Sign". This way, you can sign PDF documents digitally that do not have a pre-ready sign area. Finish this process by following UPDF's on-screen steps to save a signed copy of the original document.
Way 3. Digitally Sign Scanned PDF with CAC
With UPDF, you don't need to hold back if you ever get a scanned PDF document that you have to sign. This is because UPDF supports using CAC files to sign all types of documents, including scanned PDFs. The best part is that it offers a simple and easy process, as described in the steps below:
Step 1: Open UPDF software on your PC by double-clicking its icon, then click "File" > "Open" and select the scanned PDF document that you need to sign. Click "Prepare Form" and select "Digital Signature". You can now add a sign area anywhere with the click of your mouse.
Step 2: After adding the sign area, click the "Preview" button on the top right, then click on the sign area. Now click "Import" and select your desired CAC file. Click "Sign" and UPDF will add your signature in the area, and you can save changes by following the on-screen steps where you save a signed copy of the original document.
Learn more about the functions offered by UPDF by reading the How-To Geek review article or watching the video tutorial to learn more about using UPDF and its benefits.
Download the UPDF application on your computers to sign PDFs digitally now.
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Part 2. How to Digitally Sign a PDF with CAC (With Adobe)
If you have Adobe installed on your PC, then you can use this method for digitally signing your PDF documents. Keep in mind that Adobe's software for editing PDF documents is relatively expensive as compared to the other options like UPDF.
It comes with a range of features to work on PDF documents, including signing documents with a CAC file. So, if you plan to use Adobe for signing your documents, you can follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open Adobe Acrobat DC on your PC, and click "File" > "Open" to open the PDF document that you need to sign. Now, head to the "Tools" section and select the "Certificates" option. You may need to scroll down to the "Forms & Signatures" or "Certificates & Signatures" section to find that option.
Step 2: Now, you will click "Digitally Sign" > "Add ID" and browse the CAC signature file that you need to add. Provide its pin if Adobe asks and set the desired appearance on your document. Finish the process by clicking "Sign". Now, you may save changes once you are done, and that's it.
Part 3. FAQS About How to Sign PDF with CAC
Q1. How to Digitally Sign a PDF with a CAC Online?
If you are looking for an online method to sign your PDF documents with your CAC signature file, then you may come across multiple options claiming to provide you with this feature. Some common names include PDFfiller and Dochub.
However, they do not provide the experience they claim, and there is no working method to sign PDFs with CAC online so far. So, the best way to sign your PDF documents with your CAC file is by using one of the methods discussed in this guide above.
Q2. Why Can't You Digitally Sign PDF with CAC?
There are multiple reasons why you are unable to sign your PDF with the CAC signature file. These reasons may include certificate trust issues that are not recognized by the recipient computer.
There could be software compatibility or technical glitches as well. Some driver issues or security restrictions may cause you to add additional content like signatures. Lastly, password protection can be a reason when you don't have the password to create changes to that document.
Q3. How to Digitally Sign a PDF with CAC on Chromebook?
If you want to digitally sign a PDF with a CAC file on Chrome Book, you must remember that the online solutions will not work. So, instead of trying them, you must install a PDF reader application on your Chromebook that supports this feature.
One of those apps is Adobe, and it has an online service as well. So, you can open the PDF in that app, click "Tools" > "Certificates" and add your CAC file, then click "Sign" to add a signature.
Conclusion
Signing a PDF document digitally does not mean that you use the drawing feature to add your signature. Instead, you can use a CAC file as your standard signature and use it on any PDF document. Hopefully, our guide with different methods on how to sign PDF with CAC has helped you sign your documents.
And the best tool is UPDF. The best part about using UPDF is that you can sign your documents with it and use all other PDF editing, sharing, and file-converting features to meet other documentation needs. UPDF is available on smartphones and computers, and you can download its app and try it for free.
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