What is Autograph?

A handwritten name given as a keepsake, which is not the same act as a signature even when the writing is identical.

An autograph is a person writing their own name, usually for somebody who wants it because of who they are. A signature is the same physical act performed with intent to be bound by a document. The distinction is intent, not handwriting, which is why looking for an autograph online and looking to sign a document online lead to different tools. A signature maker produces a mark you place on a contract with a record attached; an autograph generator produces an image.

Drop your document here and sign it now. PDF, Word and Excel all work: a .docx or .xlsx is laid out in your browser exactly as it was written, so there is nothing to convert first. Add a signature, a date, a company stamp or a watermark, then download it sealed. Free to start, no account, and the file is never uploaded to open it.

Why the difference matters legally

Under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS, what makes a mark a signature is that the signer adopted it intending to sign the record. A name written with no such intent, on a photograph or a napkin, is not a signature no matter how carefully it was formed. Conversely, a click on a button labelled Sign can be a signature, because the intent is unambiguous.

Making a signature rather than an autograph

If what you want is a reusable mark for documents, draw it once in a signature maker and keep it: you get a transparent image and, when you sign a document with it, a record of when and by whom. If what you want is decorative lettering of a name, that is a font problem rather than a signing one.

What PDF Verified is, and what it is not

PDF Verified is a tool for preparing, signing, stamping and checking documents. It is not a law firm, a compliance service or a forensic examiner, and nothing here is legal, financial or compliance advice. Requirements differ by country, by document type and by the party asking, so check what applies to your document before you rely on it, and take advice where the document matters. You are responsible for the documents you create, sign and send, and for having the authority to do so: signing or stamping in somebody else name, or as an organisation you do not represent, is forgery whatever tool is used. To the extent the law allows, we accept no liability for how a document made with this tool is used or relied on. The full position is in our terms of service.