Where to find and remove signatures in Adobe Acrobat

To delete a signature you've added to a PDF in Adobe Acrobat, open the document and look for the signature field on the page. Click directly on the signature box or field. A menu will appear with options — select the delete or remove option (the exact wording depends on your Acrobat version). The signature will disappear from the document.

If you're working with a form that has signature fields built in, clicking the field shows you whether it's been signed. Unsigned fields appear empty or with placeholder text. Signed fields display your actual signature. Right-clicking on a signed field often gives you a "Clear" or "Delete Signature" option in the context menu.

In some versions of Acrobat, you may need to enter edit mode first. Look for an "Edit PDF" button in the toolbar, or check under the Tools menu. Once in edit mode, you can select and delete signature content like any other element on the page.

Key Takeaways

  • Click directly on the signature in your PDF, then select delete or remove from the menu that appears.
  • Right-clicking a signed field often shows a "Clear Signature" option faster than using the main menu.
  • If you can't see delete options, switch to Edit PDF mode first using the toolbar or Tools menu.
  • Deleting a signature from your copy does not affect the original document or other people's copies.
  • In Adobe Sign, you clear signatures through the document settings or by requesting a new signature from the signer.

Removing signatures in Adobe Sign documents

Adobe Sign works differently from Acrobat because signatures are tied to the signing workflow, not just placed on the page. If you need to remove a signature from an Adobe Sign document, you typically need to request a new signature. Open the document in Adobe Sign, find the signature field, and look for an option to "Request Signature Again" or "Resend for Signature."

This action clears the existing signature and sends a new request to the signer. The document returns to unsigned status for that field. If you're the document owner or manager, you may also see options to void or cancel the signature directly in the document settings.

Clearing signature fields before signing

If a signature field is empty and you want to remove the field itself from the form, the process depends on who created the form. If you created the form in Acrobat, switch to edit mode and click the signature field to select it, then press Delete. The field disappears from the document.

If someone else created the form and locked it, you won't be able to delete the fields — only fill them in or leave them blank. In that case, contact the form creator to request a version without that field, or save a copy and ask them to modify the original.

Undoing a signature you just added

If you signed a document seconds ago and haven't closed it yet, use Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo. This removes the signature immediately. Once you close and reopen the document, the undo history is gone, so this only works in the same session.

If you've already closed the document, you'll need to use the deletion methods described above. There's no "undo" across sessions, so act quickly if you realize you signed the wrong document or made a mistake.

Removing multiple signatures from one document

If a document has been signed by multiple people and you need to remove one signature, click that specific signature and delete it. The other signatures remain in place. This is useful if you need to remove one signer's approval but keep others.

Keep in mind that removing a signature may affect the document's validity or approval status, depending on your organization's workflow. If the document requires all signatures to be present, removing one might flag it as incomplete or unsigned.

What happens after you delete a signature

Deleting a signature from your local copy does not change the original file or anyone else's copy. If you've sent the document to others, they still have their versions with the signature intact. You're only modifying what you see on your screen.

If you need to send an unsigned version to someone, save it with a new filename after deleting the signature. This prevents confusion and keeps your original signed copy separate. Use "Save As" rather than overwriting the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete someone else's signature from a document?

You can delete any signature from a document on your computer, but this only affects your copy. If the document is in Adobe Sign or shared through a workflow, removing a signature may require special permissions. Contact your document administrator if you need to invalidate someone else's signature in a formal process.

Will deleting a signature leave a blank space or mark on the page?

Deleting a signature removes it completely — no blank box or placeholder remains. The page looks as though the signature field was never there. If the field itself was part of the form design, it may leave a small empty area depending on how the form was built.

What if the signature won't delete when I click on it?

The document or field may be locked or protected. Try switching to Edit PDF mode first. If that doesn't work, the form creator may have restricted editing. You can try saving a copy under a new name, but if protection is enabled, you won't be able to modify it without the password.

Can I delete a signature after I've sent the document to someone else?

Yes, but only from your copy. The person who received it still has their version with the signature. If you need them to see an unsigned version, send them a new copy after deleting the signature and saving it with a different filename.

How do I remove a signature from a PDF that's read-only?

Read-only PDFs cannot be edited. You'll need to save a copy that allows editing first. In Acrobat, go to File > Save As and choose a format that removes the read-only restriction, or ask the document owner to send you an editable version.