Signing pdf banking application forms on laptop trackpad

charlie12525

When asked by a bank to sign and return a form by email or upload it is not usually specified how you should actually sign it.

A while back I had a form rejected because it had not been signed with a "wet signature" even though they wanted the form sent via internet. I had done my squiggle with my trackpad. More recently I have had no problems with forms signed using my trackpad.

Another way is to have a scan of your signature saved on your computer which you can paste or insert into the relevant box on the form.

Are the above methods acceptable by banks, building societies etc for signing docs? Can I confidently return a trackpad signed doc? Do I have to ask the bank what is acceptable?

MyRealNameToo

I have a photo of my signature used for any contracts and to date no bank, insurer nor HMRC have rejected it but ultimately rules will vary by bank and potentially by form. Many using online forms you type your name and it just does a cursive version of your name as your signature.

dunstonh

Are the above methods acceptable by banks, building societies etc for signing docs?

It depends on the type of electronic signature and software.

If it's the likes of DocuSign or other certified e-signatures, how the signature looks doesn't make the slightest bit of difference.

If it's you trying to do an electronic signature where there's not a certified e-signature, then the signature needs to look as accurate as possible. And even then, if the bank believes it to be electronic, they may reject it.

In my case, I keep a scanned copy of my signature on the computer which I insert. However, you need to be wary that with PDFs, inserting a signature creates an additional layer, and different PDF software can show with and without layers. So what might look right on yours may not look right on theirs. To avoid that, it's often worth print to PDF again so it's all on one layer.

 Do I have to ask the bank what is acceptable?

Effectively, yes.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82122845#Comment_82122845

Depending on your software you can flatten the PDF to stop it being an extra layer or selectable as a discrete object - it may however make some different to other elements not function as they expect if they have different layer intentionally

eskbanker

A while back I had a form rejected because it had not been signed with a "wet signature" even though they wanted the form sent via internet. I had done my squiggle with my trackpad.

This is why it's important to establish what each institution is actually asking for, rather than assuming some sort of one-size-fits-all rule - it's not unheard of for some to expect a form to be printed, physically ('wet') signed and then rescanned for emailing.

Cisco001

send the doc to mobile phone. sign, save and send back?

Exodi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82122852#Comment_82122852

I presume this is why @dunstonh mentioned near the end that he would 'Print to PDF', which is effectively a means to flatten the image.

I keep a scanned copy of my signature (which I cleaned up on a transparent background using PS, but I'm sure you could do it with AI nowadays), though I have also signed official documents with /s/ My Name without issue.

To be honest, I can't think of a time I've ever had a signature 'rejected'?

nottsphil

OP can you name and shame this bank who can't be bothered to provide this vital information?

In one of my stroppier moods I would be inclined to tell them to print it out themselves, then the signature would be wet for a few seconds...

charlie12525

I don't think it has ever been made clear to me by a bank/ investment platform etc how a form can or can not be signed. It seems to be a case of try it and see if it is accepted or maybe ask first.

I was once told that my form could not be accepted because it "looks like it has been signed on a computer." I lied that I had signed it with a pen and uploaded it. It was then accepted.

poseidon1

Since most of the institutions I deal with only want a signed pdf contract returned to them, I simply convert the pdf to read/write functionality on my Samsung tablet, sign the pdf with the Samsung stylus then save and email out.

As far as the institution can see I wet signed a 'printed' document and scanned them the result. However, no paper was 'harmed' during the whole exercise

PixelPound

Legally you can sign by typing your name, the days of requiring a "wet signature" are long gone, though I guess a bank could insist. I have opened accounts where the contract has a tick box as your signature.