Law Stack Exchange
Law Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [signature]

Legal effects and validity of signatures.

A signature is a handwritten mark written as a sign of identity and intent.

Most commonly, it is used in contracts and agreements to signify that the signatory has read, and agrees to the terms contained therein.

A signature can take many forms; particularly with the advent of digital signatures, in some jurisdictions, merely typing one's name is sufficient to bind.

Canonical answers:

97 questions
57
votes
3 answers

Can I sign legal documents with a smiley face?

The signature on my driver's license is a unique and identifiable smiley face :-) I use this signature to sign all legally binding documents. A lot of the time, people reject it, and request an "actual signature". I then show them that it is the…
Evorlor
  • 1,037
  • 2
  • 10
  • 17
43
votes
4 answers

What's the problem with red ink?

I have repeatedly encountered lawyers who refuse to sign documents using red ink or accept documents that are signed in red ink. No one has been able to articulate exactly why in my conversations, but there seems to be a belief that red ink is…
bdb484
  • 66,944
  • 4
  • 146
  • 214
41
votes
3 answers

What enforcement exists for medical informed consent?

I'm in the USA, New York. I find nowadays that it's common -- maybe the majority of cases -- in which forms are to be signed for some medically-related purpose, that the system and/or provider actively prevents me from seeing what I'm agreeing to…
Daniel R. Collins
  • 506
  • 2
  • 7
35
votes
5 answers

Do Legal Documents Require Signing In Standard Pen Colors?

I have a question as to whether or not legal documents signed in non standard pen colors (Anything other than blue or black) are valid. I carry a purple pen around that use for everyday writing tasks, and when I was going to sign a document, someone…
Sarah Szabo
  • 485
  • 1
  • 4
  • 5
34
votes
2 answers

Is signing a document that I have not seen legally binding?

In medical establishments such as doctors' offices or blood draw facilities I have been presented with a digital signature pad and told to sign one or more times. Usually the person handing it to me will give an extremely vague notional explanation…
JimmyJames supports Canada
  • 766
  • 6
  • 13
30
votes
5 answers

Why are ink signatures considered trustworthy?

Inspired by the other currently trending signature question. The world over signatures are used to tie identities and consent to documents. Signing something means you accept it and it becomes legally binding. However if signatures are to have more…
Vilx-
  • 1,015
  • 11
  • 14
30
votes
4 answers

Does ripping up the only signed contract form invalidate it?

Suppose I sign a contract in front of witnesses, but then immediately tear it up. Is the contract still binding?
William
  • 513
  • 1
  • 5
  • 19
19
votes
6 answers

Is it legal for someone to forge my signature with my knowledge and approval?

I recently had to sign some paperwork for a health insurance contract in Greece. I was in the UK at the time, so I had to have the thing mailed to me, sign it, and then mail it back. It occurred to me that I could have instead asked my parents, who…
terdon
  • 858
  • 8
  • 23
17
votes
3 answers

Validity of presidential orders "signed" with an "autopen" machine

The possible use of an autopen is a controversial topic that U.S. President Donald Trump has recently brought up again with respect to U.S. President Joe Biden's pardons. What formal requirements are there, if any, for a presidential order? As an…
Peter - Reinstate Monica
  • 7,460
  • 4
  • 32
  • 59
13
votes
2 answers

Do scans of signed documents have the same legal power as the original document?

It is quite common for various parties online to exchange signed documents in signed form (such as contracts for remote work). Would these documents have any power in a court of law? Is it necessary to use the original documents for them to have any…
JonathanReez
  • 4,816
  • 4
  • 37
  • 70
10
votes
2 answers

How to prove that someone forged my signature on a contract that I was not aware of?

I found this similar question that already has an accepted answer. However, I don't fully like that answer because it says that "signed contract would not be binding if you can prove that it is fraud". Basically answer to the question contains…
Jonny
  • 698
  • 2
  • 7
  • 20
8
votes
2 answers

Can I write my signature in my conlang's script?

Can I write my signature in my conlang's (constructed language) script, which consists entirely of straight lines? If not, why?
Help
  • 81
  • 2
8
votes
2 answers

If you sign a signature pad, without seeing what it's for, is it binding?

You sign something on a signature pad, and only after you've signed it, receive the printed statement with the full statement which you've supposedly acknowledged prior to signing, but have never actually been shown prior to being asked to "please…
cnst
  • 5,128
  • 4
  • 33
  • 58
8
votes
2 answers

Should I insist on filling in a "Date" field next to a "Signature" field?

Contracts, forms, etc. often include a "Date" field next to the "Signature" field. (In some areas, such as germany, a "Location" field is also common.) I'm used to always writing in the current date in this field. Lately I've been interacting with a…
TypeIA
  • 133
  • 6
6
votes
1 answer

International Validity of Power of Attorney Document requiring multiple signatures, individuals sign asynchronously with asynchronous notarization

Is it legally permissible for co-inventors to sign a Power of Attorney (PoA) document at separate locations with only their own signatures in the witness of independent notaries, leaving everyone else's signature blank, and then return the original…
user46769
1
2 3 4 5 6 7