Undirskriftur

Undirskriftur is the Icelandic term for a signature—the act of writing one’s name or mark on a document to indicate identity, consent, or agreement. It may be a handwritten signature on paper or an electronic signature created with digital tools.

The word derives from undir- meaning “under” and skriftur meaning “writing,” reflecting the historical practice of signing beneath the text.

In Icelandic law, a signature is commonly required to make many contracts, official requests, and legal acts binding. A signature serves as proof of the signer's intent and can help verify identity. The effectiveness of a signature depends on the context and the method by which the signature was created.

Electronic signatures, or rafræn undirskriftur, are widely used and legally recognized in Iceland when they meet applicable standards. Iceland follows the broader European framework for electronic signatures, and forms such as simple electronic signatures, as well as more secure advanced or qualified electronic signatures, can provide varying levels of assurance. In many cases, electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten ones, subject to the specific requirements of the relevant statute and the nature of the document.

To ensure authenticity, verification may involve checks against records, the use of digital certificates or timestamps, or the presence of witnesses in certain circumstances. The integrity of an undirskriftur is often a factor in disputes, where the signer's intent or the validity of the signature may be examined.