By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-02-28

100 % Helpful

PDF Editor Tips

How to Edit a Signed PDF with Easy Steps? Top 4 Ways

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-02-28 / OCR

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Part 1. Can You Edit A PDF That Has Been Signed?

Part 2. How to Edit a Signed PDF for Free with Tenorshare PDNob

Part 3. Alternative Ways on How to Edit a Signed PDF (More Solutions)

Part 4. Best Practices for Editing a Signed PDF Legally

Part 5. Conclusion

Editing a signed PDF can be challenging because digital signatures often lock the document, preventing modifications. You may need to edit signed PDFs in various situations, such as correcting text errors, updating outdated content, adding annotations, or filling in additional details. For example, a contract may require minor revisions after signing, or a form may need further information before submission. Fortunately, there are ways to work around these challenges while preserving essential document elements. In this guide, we’ll explore how to edit a signed PDF quickly with straightforward steps.

Part 1. Can You Edit A PDF That Has Been Signed?

Yes, you can edit PDFs with an e-sign. However, the approach depends on whether you have permission to modify the document. Below are two approaches that you can use:

1.Remove the Signature Restrictions (With Permission)

This is an easier way on how to edit a PDF that has been digitally signed. If you have authorization from the original PDF owner, you can remove the signature restrictions to edit the document freely. This usually involves using PDF editing software to unlock or remove the digital signature, which may invalidate the signature. Some programs may allow you to request the document owner to re-sign it after making necessary changes.

2.Modify the Document Without Removing the Signature

Another method on how to edit a digitally signed PDF is by ignoring the signature. The good thing about PDFs is that you can still make changes by adding annotations, text overlays, or additional content without affecting the signed section. Alternatively, you can convert the PDF into an editable format, such as Word or TXT, make changes, and then re-export it as a new signed document. However, this may limit the editing capabilities.

Part 2. How to Edit a Signed PDF for Free with Tenorshare PDNob

Now let’s learn how to edit a signed PDF free using the best PDF editing software – Tanoshare PDNob It’s a powerful, beginner-friendly software that can open any signed PDF file, including encrypted documents. PDNob PDF Editor offers seamless text editing, allowing you to precisely revise document text and other properties. It also provides one-click image adjustments through cropping, rotating, flipping, and removing. Moreover, you can edit and convert PDF files to Word, Text, Excel, and other formats without affecting the signature.

Key features of Tanorshare PDNob:

Edit signed PDFs: PDNob PDF Editor can edit PDF texts by adjusting font, color, and size. It can also add or delete document texts with one click.
Annotate signed PDFs: PDNob PDF Editor can quickly annotate documents without affecting the digital signature. You can underline, highlight, and add strikethroughs. It also lets you add sticker notes and stamps.
Encrypt signed PDFs: This PDF editor allows you to open password-protected PDFs seamlessly. In addition, you can add 256-AES password encryption.
OCR signed PDFs: PDNob’s OCR engine uses a powerful AI algorithm to ensure 99% scanning accuracy

Let’s now learn how to edit signed PDF document with the steps below:

Open the file on PDNob PDF Editor.

Assuming you have already installed and opened Tanoshare PDNob, click Open PDF to upload a local PDF file. Then, go ahead and request editing permission from the signature owner.

Edit the signed PDF file.

Next, tap the Edit button to open the document editing window. You can add/delete text, change the PDF background, apply hyperlinks, and more.

Save your signed PDF file.

After editing the PDF file without altering the signature, tap the File button to save your changes. That’s how to edit a signed PDF on Mac or Windows with Tanoshare PDNob.

Part 3. Alternative Ways on How to Edit a Signed PDF (More Solutions)

Besides Tanoshare PDNob, several desktop solutions can help you edit a signed PDF file. Below are our top 3 suggestions:

Solution 1: How to edit signed PDF in Adobe

Adobe Acrobat allows users to edit signed PDFs by enabling limited modifications, such as adding comments, annotations, and filling form fields. However, if a PDF is locked with a digital signature, editing options are restricted to maintain document integrity. So, to make changes, remove the signature.

Below is how to edit a signed PDF in Adobe:

Step 1: Open the PDF on Adobe Acrobat, then right-click the digital signature. Then, click Clear Signature to remove this restriction.

Step 2: Next, tap the Edit PDF tool on the right pane. This will open the editing mode, where you can make all the necessary changes.

Step 3: Now go ahead and rename the edited file, then save the changes.

Solution 2: How to edit a signed PDF Online

Sometimes you don’t need a dedicated PDF program to edit signed PDF files. With an online tool like Selja Online PDF Editor, you can edit a signed PDF file right from your desktop browser. However, Selja may be unable to open digitally signed PDFs with complex signatures.

Below is how to edit a signed PDF online with Selja:

Step 1: Open the signed PDF on Selja Online PDF Editor. You can drag and drop the PDF to upload it in seconds.

Step 2: Next, start editing the PDF texts and rearranging pages. You can also highlight texts, add strikethroughs, and more.

how to edit a signed PDF online with Selja

Step 3: Click Done to download the edited PDF file. Selja also lets you add an e-sign before downloading the PDF.

Solution 3: Converting a Signed PDF to Word (Quick Editing Trick)

If you’re experiencing any challenges opening a signed PDF, we recommend converting it to Word. This way, you can edit the PDF using your default document reader, like MS Word. Note that this option only works for non-certified signatures or scanned PDFs. We’ll use Smallpdf to learn how to convert PDF to Word for seamless editing. Don’t worry; it’s a free online tool.

Step 1: Open this PDF to Word converter on your browser, then upload the signed PDF file.

Step 2: Smallpdf will auto-scan and convert the PDF file to Word in seconds.

Step 3: Download the PDF file for editing. Other export options include Excel, PPT, and JPG.

Part 4. Best Practices for Editing a Signed PDF Legally

Digital signatures are meant to protect PDF files from unauthorized access and manipulation. Therefore, applying some best practices is vital to avoid trouble with the document owner.

To edit a signed PDF legally, follow these best practices:

Obtain Consent: Get permission from the original signer before making changes.
Use the Original File: Edit the source document before re-signing.
Remove the Signature: Removing or modifying content invalidates the existing signature.
Audit Changes – Maintain records of edits for transparency.
Re-sign the Document – After editing, all parties should review and re-sign the file.

Part 5.Conclusion

See, learning how to edit a signed PDF isn’t a complex process. All you need to do is get editing consent from the file owner and use a powerful PDF editor like Tanoshare PDNob to make the necessary changes. You may also want to try converting the PDF to Word to see if you can bypass the digital signature before editing the file. Most importantly, seek permission before editing a signed PDF file. Hope this guide helps!

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