Using Sign & Fill versus using Digital Signatures

Hi there

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out.

While the terms may seem similar, electronic and digital signatures actually describe two different approaches to signing documents — and those differences are linked with signature laws and regulatory requirements. Digital signatures are a subset of the larger category called “electronic signatures.” Where typical electronic signatures can use a variety of methods for authenticating signers — such as email, corporate IDs, or phone verification — digital signatures use one specific method. With digital signatures, signers authenticate their identity using a certificate-based digital ID, which is typically issued by a trusted third-party certificate authority.

A certificate-based signature, like a conventional handwritten signature, identifies the person signing a document. Unlike a handwritten signature, a certificate-based signature is difficult to forge because it contains encrypted information that is unique to the signer. It can be easily verified and informs recipients whether the document was modified after the signer initially signed the document.

For more information please check out the help pages listed below:

https://helpx.adobe.com/reader/using/sign-pdfs.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/certificate-based-signatures.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/sign/faq.html

Hope it will help

Regards

Amal