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

task brazil Updated Sep 10, 2026 2 min read create-document-template.md

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 .

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

Procedure

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.
.
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.
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

Assign a custom signing domain for CAC/PIV digital signatures
Improve signing traffic management by assigning a custom domain for CAC/PIV digital signatures by setting an optional system property to override the default glide.servlet.uri setting.
Property value for digital signature using CAC or PIV smart cards
Specify the method that will be used to identify and validate the user who has signed the PDF using the com.snc.pdfsigning.validation.method property.

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

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---
title: Set up a document template for signing documents using a CAC or PIV smart card
description: 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.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/servicenow-platform/document-management-services/create-document-template.html
release: brazil
product: Document Management Services
classification: document-management-services
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 2
breadcrumb: [Digital signature for PDF documents using CAC or PIV smart cards, Use, Document Management, Document Services, Manage content capabilities, Extend ServiceNow AI Platform capabilities]
---

# 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 .

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. .

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](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95759?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop#zippy=%2Cchange-default-pdf-download-permissions).

For Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari, see [Configure browser to use the Adobe PDF plug-in to open online PDF files](https://helpx.adobe.com/in/acrobat/kb/pdf-browser-plugin-configuration.html).

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

1. In Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to **Preferences** &gt; **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](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/servicenow-platform/document-management-services/sign-pdf-documents-cac-piv.md)

- **[Assign a custom signing domain for CAC/PIV digital signatures](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/servicenow-platform/document-management-services/configure-domain-api-signing.md)**
Improve signing traffic management by assigning a custom domain for CAC/PIV digital signatures by setting an optional system property to override the default **glide.servlet.uri** setting.
- **[Property value for digital signature using CAC or PIV smart cards](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/servicenow-platform/document-management-services/property-value-cac-piv-signing.md)**
Specify the method that will be used to identify and validate the user who has signed the PDF using the **com.snc.pdfsigning.validation.method** property.

**Parent Topic:**[Digital signature for PDF documents using CAC or PIV smart cards](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/servicenow-platform/document-management-services/digital-signature.md)