Allakirjutaja

Allakirjutaja is an Estonian term for a person who signs a document, i.e., a signatory. The word derives from the construction alla kirjutama meaning to write under, referring to the act of placing a signature beneath a document to indicate agreement or authentication.

In legal and administrative contexts, an allakirjutaja is the person whose signature makes the document legally effective. The term can refer to private individuals as well as representatives of organizations, such as a company or institution, whose name appears as the signer on contracts, affidavits, or court statements.

In corporate use, an authorised signatory, sometimes termed volitatud allakirjutaja or esindaja, may sign on behalf of a legal entity according to internal rules or a power of attorney. Documents may require more than one signatory depending on the matter and jurisdiction, and the identity of the allakirjutaja is usually stated on the document itself.

Signatures may be handwritten or electronic. Under Estonian law, electronic signatures created using a valid digital identity (for example, ID-card or Mobile-ID) can have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures when properly issued and verified.

Related terms include allkiri (signature), allkirjastamine (signing), and allkirjastus (signing act). The concept is central to establishing consent, authenticity, and enforceability of documents.