Imza

Imza is the term used in Turkish and Azerbaijani for a person's handwritten signature, the mark or name used to authorize, confirm, or verify documents, contracts, and endorsements. It denotes consent and personal authentication in written form.

Traditionally, an imza is affixed by the signer or by a designated representative, and its validity can depend on jurisdiction, the presence of witnesses or notarization, and the document type. Signatures may be required to bind agreements or authorize actions.

With the growth of digital transactions, electronic signatures—often called e-imza or elektronik imza in Turkish and Azerbaijani—use cryptographic methods and digital certificates to verify identity and integrity. In many countries, electronic signatures are legally recognized as equivalent to handwritten signatures for ordinary contracts and official processes, subject to specific rules and standards; Turkey maintains a national framework for electronic signatures, while the European Union relies on eIDAS for cross-border validity.

Linguistically, imza is a loanword in Turkish and Azerbaijani and appears in related Turkic languages. Common verbs include imzalamak (to sign) in Turkish or imzalamaq in Azerbaijani, and phrases such as imza atmak meaning to place a signature on a document.