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Adobe Sign - Digital Signature
Adobe Sign is a cloud-based, enterprise-class e-signature service that offers an alternative to paper-based forms with fully automated electronic signature workflows. Instead of completing and signing forms by hand, digital signature software allows users to complete and sign forms electronically. With it, you can easily send, sign, track, and manage signature processes using a browser or mobile device.
Digital signature software enables you to create, automate, and distribute custom forms to collect information and signatures from one or multiple recipients through a streamlined workflow:
- Create: Design a custom digital form.
- Send & Route: Distribute the form, specifying whether recipients receive it all at once (parallel) or in a specific order (serial).
- Track & Manage: The system provides a central dashboard to monitor progress. You receive instant notifications upon signing and can set automated reminders to keep the process on track.
Importantly, digital signatures are legally binding in most industrialized nations, having the same legal status as a handwritten signature.
Getting started
- Request Access to Adobe Sign
- Review Rice Policy 849 - Use of Electronic Signatures and Rice Policy 810 Signature and Approval Authority
- Review the Adobe Sign Get Started Guide
- Adobe Sign: How to Sign In
Using Adobe Acrobat Sign
- Get others to sign a document
- Fill and sign a document yourself
- Add form fields to documents
- Manage agreements
- Reference guides and other helpful information can be found here: https://adobesign.blogs.rice.edu/
Get help
- Submit a ticket
- Call: 713-348-4357 or Ext. 4357
- You can also read the FAQS on the Adobe support site.
Features
- Create custom forms quickly and easily - adding signature and form fields as needed
- Send to multiple recipients - allowing people to sign in parallel or serial order
- Track the status of a document in real time
- Available as a desktop application, web portal, and on mobile devices
- Integrates with common productivity tools such as Microsoft Word and Salesforce
- Send documents to individuals who are not affiliated with Stanford
- A "Groups" feature which allows you to have separate subsets of users that have access to different Library Documents and settings
- Learn more about Adobe Administrative roles
- Learn how to create and manage Groups
Difference between Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Sign
Adobe Acrobat Pro and Adobe Sign are two separate software programs. While both can be used for signatures, there are many differences. Both are part of the Adobe Creative Cloud and are accessed using your NetID@rice.edu email and NetID Password to log in.
Adobe Sign, as its name suggests, is for sending and receiving documents for signatures. The documents are filed in the cloud in the user’s account. Adobe Sign supports a wide range of file types, allowing users to insert signature fields into the document. They are sent to the user’s email address. Once in Adobe Sign, the document cannot be edited in any way. All editing must be completed before opening in Adobe Sign. Essentially, Adobe Sign is software for signing documents, which are then stored in the cloud and accessible only by the account owner.
Adobe Acrobat Pro can not only send documents out for signature, but after a file is saved as a PDF, it can be edited, the pages rearranged, files combined, forms created, scanned for accessibility, and many other features. The documents are saved by the user onto their computer or server. Signatures are set up within Adobe Acrobat on the user’s computer. Once the signature fields are in place, the document can be sent out for signing. This is done in Adobe Acrobat by using one of the many tools included in the program.
Both Adobe Acrobat Pro and Adobe Sign are used for signing documents and sending out documents to be signed. Adobe Acrobat Pro documents are saved by the user to their computer or server. Adobe Sign documents are saved in the cloud within the Adobe Sign user’s account.
Critical Note: Adobe Creative Cloud includes Adobe Acrobat Pro, which is the basic version of Adobe Sign. This is not the same as Adobe Sign Enterprise. If you currently have an Adobe Acrobat Pro account, you may lose access to all agreements in this account. Please download and back up any agreements you have in your Adobe Acrobat Pro account before requesting access, as any agreements lost cannot be recovered.
How to access Adobe Sign Enterprise
Access Adobe Sign here: https://riceuniversity.na1.documents.adobe.com/account/homeJS?dc_remove=true
How to Sign In
1. Once you arrive at the login screen, you will need to sign in with your Rice NetID email address (NetId@rice.edu). Then select Continue.
2. Select the Company of the School Account.
3. You may be requested to login to Rice Identity Provider, using your NetID and password.
4. You will be directed to your Adobe Sign Home page.
(Please note: if you do not see the Rice logo in the upper left corner of the dashboard, then you are not in the right Adobe Sign Account; contact the OIT Help Desk to request Adobe Sign access.)
Designed for
- Faculty and Staff
Service Use Requirements
Adobe Sign is currently the only e-signature service approved for Rice Business Documents, and only those individuals who have been granted signature authority may sign documents using this service. See Rice Policy 810 Signature and Approval Authority for requirements. Any other eSignature service must be approved by the VP/CIO and the CISO.
Service users are required to have training on the proper use and management of Adobe Sign.
Service users are required to have an Adobe Creative Cloud account to access Adobe Sign Enterprise.
Service users must have read and acknowledged their responsibilities under Rice Policy 810 Signature and Approval Authority and the Rice Policy 849 Use of Electronic Signatures, and that signature authority rules as defined in Rice Policy 810 apply to electronically signed documents.
Who will need an Adobe Sign Enterprise Account?
- No account needed: Individuals who only sign documents, such as students or faculty, do not require an Adobe Sign Enterprise account. They can simply sign their documents with their Rice email address, and Adobe Sign will verify their signature using email.
- Account needed: Staff members who will be creating/sending agreements will require an Adobe Sign Enterprise account. To send an agreement, you will require an Adobe Sign Enterprise account. Typical administrative staff will be given an account.
Procedure for accessing Rice Adobe Sign
When you are ready, create an OIT Help Desk ticket by emailing helpdesk@rice.edu (or contacting OIT Help Desk) requesting Adobe Sign Enterprise. Please include information such as NetID, name, and the department or group you would like to be a member of.