Signing your signature is one of the most important and commonly done tasks on PDF documents. They add authenticity and legitimacy to the document, and are standard for legal, medical, and financial documents. 

But removing signatures can be easier said than done. 

Nothing is worse than having a document almost ready for use, when you find out there’s a signature where you don’t want it. Maybe you’re trying to re-use the document, so you want it blank again.

Fortunately, we’ve gathered the easiest ways to clear signatures from PDF in 2024. Find the one that works best for you! 

Tips Before You Start

1. Ensure that the PDF is not locked (with a password) or read-only. 
2. Unlock the PDF (if necessary). 
3. Clearing signatures is easiest if you are the one that signed it. 
4. If someone else signed the document, ask them for their permission (and password, if any) before removing their signature. 

How to Clear Signature from PDF on Windows OS 

When removing a signature from a PDF on Windows, there are multiple PDF editors that you can use. In this example, we’ll be using PDF Pro, our all-in-one PDF editor, creator, converter, and security tool made specifically for Windows Desktop. But you can use your preferred PDF editor. 

Don’t have a PDF editor? You can download PDF Pro for free instantly! 

Clear Signature from PDF with PDF Pro 

1. Open the signed PDF in PDF Pro. 
2. Click the Create tab. 
3. Press To Word. 
4. Check the checkbox: Include markup annotations. 
5. Leave the checkbox checked: Open after conversion (or click it if it is unchecked). 
6. Press Start. 
7. In Word: Click on the signature. 
8. Press [delete] on your keyboard. (Repeat steps 7-8 for all signatures you want to remove). 
9. Press File menu. 
10. Export.
11. Create PDF/XPS button. 
12. Choose destination & name for your new PDF, then press Publish.

How to Clear Signature from PDF on Mac

Adobe is a popular PDF editor that has a Mac OS version. You’ll need to subscribe to Adobe Acrobat DC premium in order to edit your PDFs, however. 

Clear Signature from PDF with Adobe 

1. Open the signed PDF in Adobe. 
2. Tools.
3. Content. 
4. Objects. 
5. Click on the signature. 
6. Press Delete. 

How to Remove Signatures from PDF Online (Free)

Google Docs is Google’s free word processor. Anyone that has used Microsoft Word will be able to use Google Docs as they are very similar. 

1. Upload the signed PDF document to Google Drive. 
2. Open the PDF in Google Docs. 
3. Click on the signature(s) you want to remove. 
4. Press [delete] on your keyboard. (Repeat steps 3-4 for all signatures you want to remove).
5. File.
6. Download.
7. As PDF Document (.pdf). 

FAQ: 

We have compiled the most common frequently asked questions about clearing signatures from PDF, for further help and information. 

Why can't I remove my signature from PDF?

There could be multiple reasons. The PDF may be locked for editing, meaning that a password has been set so that edits can no longer be made on the PDF. Or your PDF editor may not be capable of removing signatures from PDF once they have been added. 

Can I remove my signature from PDFs for free?

Yep! To remove your signature from a PDF for free: Upload the signed PDF to Google Drive > Open the PDF in Google Docs > Click on the signature > Press [delete] on your keyboard. 

How do I remove a signature from a PDF?

One of the easiest ways to remove a signature from your PDF is by uploading the PDF in Google Drive, Opening the PDF in Google Docs, then clicking on the signature with your mouse. Then you can press the [delete] key on your keyboard to remove the signature. 

How do I remove signatures from PDF?

To remove multiple signatures from PDF: Upload the PDF to Google Drive > Open in Google Docs > Click one signature then press [delete] on your keyboard (repeat this last step for all signatures)

How do I unlock a PDF after signing?

You’ll need a PDF editor and the password that was used to lock it. Open the locked document in PDF Pro > Secure Tab > Password > Yes > Finish (leave everything else blank). 

How do I remove someone else's signature from a PDF?

First, ask permission to remove their signature from the PDF. Then, either open the signed PDF in Microsoft Word, or upload it to Google Drive then Open it with Google Docs. Click on the signature with your mouse, then press [delete] on your keyboard. 

Get the Most Out of PDF 

PDFs are one of the most commonly used file formats in all things legal, medical, business, financial, and academic. But when it comes to PDF, clearing signatures is just the tip of the iceberg. 

PDF Pro can help you streamline your workflow, which will save you time and make you more productive when working with different documents. 

Need to do something else to your PDF? PDF Pro can help you: 

• Crop PDFs
• Add Bates Numbering
• Add text boxes to PDF
• Add watermarks to PDF
• Remove fillable form fields
• Add a wet signature on PDF
• Change the date on a PDF
• Send one page of a PDF

You can download PDF Pro for free today or Buy Now!