Signatur

Signatur is the mark or name used to indicate a person's consent, identity, or authorization on a document or message. In common practice, a handwritten signature is a person’s autograph, which may be a full name, initials, a stylized version, or a distinctive mark. The act of signing serves to attest that the signer approves the content and intends to be bound by its terms. Signatures can be written on paper, in digital forms, or in other media, and may be required to authenticate authorship, approval, or receipt.

Legally, signatures function as evidence of intent and agreement, and their validity depends on jurisdiction and context. Traditional signatures rely on the signer’s physical act, though practical equivalents such as stamps, seals, or mark-signing are recognized in many systems. The requirements for what constitutes a valid signature vary, but they generally aim to establish the signer’s identity and their intention to endorse the content.

Digital signatures are a separate but related concept in modern communications. A digital signature uses cryptographic techniques to attach a signature to a digital document, ensuring integrity (the document has not been altered) and authenticity (the signature can be traced to the signer). Verification typically involves the signer’s public key and, often, a certificate issued by a trusted authority. Legal frameworks for digital signatures exist in many regions, with notable examples including the EU eIDAS regulation and the US ESIGN and UETA acts, which confer legal recognition on digital signatures under specified conditions.

Applications of signatures range from contracts and official records to emails and forms. Signatures continue to perform the dual roles of confirming identity and expressing consent, whether in traditional or digital environments.