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Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-03-12 · Official documentation · View source

Set up a document template for signing documents using a CAC or PIV smart card

Set up a document template for PDF using a Common Access Card (CAC) or Personal Identification Verification (PIV) card. Set up certificates to automate and simplify the process of filling, reviewing, and signing a document online.

Before you begin

Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your desktop.

The Document Templates application must be installed. For more information, see Configuring Document Templates.

Role required: sn_doc.admin, sn_doc.reader, or admin

Procedure

  1. Create a document template.

    1. Configure a PDF document template.

      Note: The Signing type field should be Digital Signature Smart Cards.

    2. Map fields for the PDF document template

    3. Select Edit Document Preview to define the label and placement of the button to submit the signature.

    4. Create participants for the PDF document template.

    5. To map templates to participants, go to the Template Mapping tab, select the field name, and add the participant name, and to map fields, select the field from the Mapping field drop-down menu.

      Note: The text fields can have pre-filled values mapped, and the digital signature field types should be mapped to the participants.

    6. Select Update.

    7. Select Publish.

  2. Set up Certificate-based authentication.

  3. Configure your browser settings to automatically open the downloaded PDF documents in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

    For Google Chrome, see PDF download setting for Google Chrome.

    For Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari, see Configure browser to use the Adobe PDF plug-in to open online PDF files.

  4. Configure Adobe Acrobat Reader to add your download location as your Privileged Location.

    1. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to Preferences > Security (Enhanced).

    2. Select Add Folder Path and add your download location as your Privileged Location.

    3. Select OK.

What to do next

Sign document templates for PDF documents using CAC or PIV smart card

Parent Topic:Digital signature for PDF documents using CAC or PIV smart cards