písemnost

Písemnost is a Czech term that denotes any written document with evidentiary or documentary value. In everyday and official use, it refers to material that records information in writing rather than orally. Písemnost can include contracts, decisions, letters, notices, certificates, receipts, reports, and various types of records. In archives and libraries, the term covers the written materials that constitute the documentary heritage of an organization or state.

In legal and administrative contexts, písemnost often requires certain formal qualities for validity or enforceability. Typical elements include the date and place of creation, the author or issuer, and a signature or official seal. Official documents issued by public authorities are commonly called úřední písemnosti. Digital documents can also be considered písemnost if they meet applicable legal standards, such as secure electronic signatures and reliable authentication, ensuring integrity and traceability.

Písemnost serves as evidence in judicial proceedings, civil transactions, and administrative processes. Its credibility relies on authenticity, proper maintenance, and a clear record of authorship and origin. Related terms include listina (a formal document with legal effect), dokument (document), doklad (proof or voucher), and záznam (record or transcript). In archival science, písemnosti are organized into fonds, collections, and inventories to preserve institutional memory and facilitate access for research and public use.

Etymologically, písemnost derives from písmo, meaning writing, with the suffix that forms a noun denoting the matter of writing. The concept underpins both everyday documentation and formal record-keeping across Czech institutions.