allekirjoittanut

Allekirjoittanut is a Finnish term meaning “the undersigned” or “signatory.” Grammatically, it is the past participle of the verb allekirjoittaa (to sign) and functions in Finnish as both a noun and an adjective describing the person who has signed a document. The word is often understood literally as “the one who has written below,” reflecting the traditional practice of signing beneath the main text.

In formal Finnish documents, the signer's name, title, and affiliation are typically presented in a signature block, sometimes with the label Allekirjoittanut to indicate the person who signed. The term can appear as a heading or label near the signature, or as part of a sentence identifying the signer, for example in contracts, official statements, affidavits, and petitions.

The plural form allekirjoittaneet exists to refer to multiple signatories; this usage is common in documents that carry signatures from several parties. The basic sense remains the same: the individuals who have signed or approved the document.

With the rise of digital documentation, the concept of an undersigned extends to electronic signatures. In such contexts, allekirjoittanut continues to denote the person who has authorized or approved the document, now verified electronically. The term is gender-neutral and widely used across legal, administrative, and bureaucratic Finnish. In English-language contexts, it is typically translated as “the undersigned.”