Signatorys

Signatorys is a commonly misspelled form of signatories. A signatory (plural signatories) is a person, state, or organization that signs a formal document, indicating assent to its terms or a commitment to follow them. In private law, signatories are those who sign contracts or agreements and become bound by the terms, at least to the extent the contract requires. In public or international law, signatories are typically states or international organizations that sign a treaty or convention.

The act of signing a treaty or convention signals intent to be bound, but it does not always create full legal obligations. Often, a separate step—such as ratification, accession, or approval—is required for a signatory to become a party with binding legal duties. The treaty may enter into force only after a specified number of ratifications or other conditions are met. Some instruments designate signatories as bound by certain provisions (for example, political commitments or procedural rules) even before formal ratification, while others require ratification to activate most obligations.

Signatories can be bilateral (two parties) or multilateral (many parties). In multilateral treaties, not all signatories will necessarily become parties, depending on their domestic legal processes and the treaty’s terms. Signatories may also withdraw from treaties according to the withdrawal clauses, notice periods, and timeframes established by the instrument.

Examples of signatories include states that sign climate or arms control agreements, as well as international organizations that sign multilateral conventions. In international discourse, the distinction between signing and ratifying is important for understanding when obligations attach and how compliance is monitored.