How to sign a document straight from an email attachment

The document arrives as an attachment and has to go back as one. The long way round is download, find the file, open something that can sign it, save a second copy, attach that, and hope you attached the right version. The short way is to open the attachment, sign it, and reply, with one file in play instead of three.

Sign PDF online → · Free PDF Signer

What you can do

How to sign a document straight from an email attachment

  1. In Gmail or Outlook, open the attachment and choose to download or open it. On a phone, the share sheet works too.
  2. Drop it into the signer. Word and Excel attachments are laid out as they were written, so a .docx contract does not need converting first.
  3. Sign, date, and add a stamp if it needs one.
  4. Download the sealed PDF and attach it to your reply, or send the verification link instead so the recipient can check it as well as read it.

Ready? Sign PDF online now, free, no signup, and your file is auto-deleted after an hour.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to give you access to my email?

No, and you should be careful with anything that asks. Nothing here connects to Gmail, Outlook or your mailbox. You handle the attachment, the same as you would opening it to read.

Can I sign a document in Gmail itself?

Not in Gmail, which has no signing of its own. Add-ons that claim to do it inside Gmail are asking for access to your mail to do it. Opening the attachment and signing it takes about the same number of taps and gives nothing away.

Is it free to sign a PDF online?

Yes. You can fill in and sign a PDF for free with no account, you only pay when you download a finished document ($1.50 per document pay-as-you-go, or unlimited on any paid plan). sign a document from an email attachment works the same way.

Is signing a PDF online secure?

Yes. Files are uploaded over 256-bit TLS, processed in your browser session, and automatically deleted after one hour. Each signature is bound to the document with a SHA-256 tamper-evident seal, so any later edit is detectable.

Are electronic signatures legally binding?

Yes, electronic signatures are legally binding for ordinary business documents in 190+ countries under the US ESIGN Act and UETA, the EU eIDAS Regulation, and equivalent laws worldwide. Courts look for intent, identity and integrity, all of which PDF Verified records.

Do I need to install anything?

No. Everything runs in your browser on desktop or mobile, no app, plugin or download required.

What PDF Verified is, and what it is not

Electronic signature law is settled in broad terms and specific in the details. The ESIGN Act, UETA, eIDAS and their equivalents recognise electronic signatures across more than 190 countries, and what decides a particular case is intent to sign plus evidence connecting the signature to the signer, which is what the audit certificate records. Certain document types carry their own formalities wherever you are: deeds, wills, some property instruments, and anything requiring a witness or a notary. Sign only what you are authorised to sign, since applying another person signature without their authority is forgery whatever tool is used.

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.

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