How To Separate / Split Signed Documents (Without Business or Enterprise Version)

[michaels71077535]

I am an independent contractor/sole proprietor (with no employees) who is trying to figure out how to use Adobe Sign to meet my needs. It is often the case where I need to send out say two documents for signature at the same time, but need to be able to maintain the Adobe signed documents as separate files. Adobe sign lets me attach multiple files and send them out for signature, but as far as I can tell it then combines the files and there is no way to separate them after they have been signed.

For example, I have two documents that need an approval signature, that both relate to the same project, and get signed by the same individual. But then after the documents are signed, they get issued to two different people, so I need to maintain separate signed pdf's or have a means to split the files. Yes I could send the files individually, but that is much more cumbersome and doubles the number of emails I have to send.

I have an Adobe Acrobat Pro DC subscription which includes Adobe sign. I have seen other replies to this question where Adobe responded with instructions on how to maintain separate files with the Business or Enterprise subscription, but as a sole individual it makes no sense to spend the extra $30-$40 a month just for this one feature, which is absolutely necessary for me, but not worth buying an entire new package just for that feature.

[ScottCarter · Accepted solution]

Greetings!

Today, if both documents require a legal signature, then the only current option is to send separate agreements and have them signed discretely.

There is a new feature expected later this year (I don't have a release date, but it will be in 2019) that will allow you to download (from the Manage page), and give options to download the one contiguous file, or the several discrete files that were originally uploaded.

-Scott

[Mitchell Leitman]

Has this feature been implemented yet?  I can't seem to find it.

[AlonsiCM]

I have been able to attach the documents as separate documents into the "envelope" and then there is an option once it is completed, to download the individual files. Open the document in esign - then expand the side bar.

[Sherry29639939we00]

It does not download the two individual files, it still downloads it as one and calls it a multidoc.  I don't see any way to separate them and still keep the signature integrity.

[Ben5EA7]

I appreciate this is over 18 months after you asked, but a workaround I have found is to open the combined document, go to 'Organise Pages', then select the pages of each agreement separately and print to PDF. This will lose the security validation, but if you keep the original combined document this can always be brought out in evidence later if needed.

[ymEA]

Hi Ben5EA7,

I used to do THIS method as well to separate signed PDF for the same reason as michaels71077535.

However recently, I discovered THAT workaround is no longer available... 😞

When you attempt to try Save as PDF, it only give you LOG/TEXT - Notepad...

%%[ ProductName: Distiller ]%%
This PostScript file was created from an encrypted PDF file.
Redistilling encrypted PDF is not permitted.
%%[ Flushing: rest of job (to end-of-file) will be ignored ]%%
%%[ Warning: PostScript error. No PDF file produced. ] %%

I think Adobe closed the loop hole...

So, sad.

As we are TRYING to move forward with Go Green, so try not to print out for signature even internally, BUT now this method has taken away from us every day users with a small business, it's very frustrating...

I wish ADOBE would consider either bring back the way we could at least "Save as PDF", so that we could utilize Adobe Sign in better and productive way...

Or better yet, I wish THEY could come up something to HELP US with a password to UNLOCK the restrictions...

P.S. I have figured out alternative way... If you'd like to find out, please message me.

[btford9987]

What is the alternative way?

[Sherry29639939we00]

Alternative?  The Download Individual Files does not separate the document back to the two original files.

[mariahweyne]

This can be changed in the settings.  You need to have them enables.  If not enabled, you will need to check with your account administrator for this. Refer to the information provided in the following  link: https://helpx.adobe.com/sign/kb/split-up-a-signed-document.html. 

[Carmelita28922463hkt1]

I now believe that Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is making it difficult for us to separate signed documents. I figured a loophole got it to work then later doesn't. I found another loophole, then it doesn't work again. Adobe has minions that work overtime to discover our escape routes so that we will buy their next upgrade. Why don't they just be honest instead of us wasting our time and energy, and they say: "if you want file separator of signed PDF, pay a few cents more a month . Boom!