signatures

Signatures are marks that indicate a person’s consent, authority, or authorship of a document or message. They function as a personal identifier and, in many contexts, as evidence that the signer has agreed to the content. Signatures can be handwritten, electronic, or purely digital, and they may be used on contracts, checks, forms, and certificates.

A handwritten signature typically consists of a name or stylized mark created by the signer with pen on paper. It may vary in appearance and complexity and can be accompanied by a seal or stamp in some cultures. An electronic signature is any symbol, sound, or process attached to a document to signify agreement, and it can be as simple as typing a name or clicking an “I agree” button. A digital signature is a cryptographic construct that provides authentication, data integrity, and non-repudiation through public-key cryptography and certificates.

Historically, signatures evolved from marks used by illiterate signatories to formalized, legally recognized signatures. Cultural practices vary, including the use of seals, chops, or stamps by individuals or organizations.

Legally, most jurisdictions recognize signatures as binding if there is intent to be bound and the method meets applicable requirements. Rulings often distinguish between wet signatures on paper and electronic or digital forms, with laws such as the EU’s eIDAS framework and the US ESIGN and UETA acts addressing their validity.

Security and reliability depend on safeguarding signing keys for digital signatures, and on verification procedures for handwritten signatures, which may involve witnesses or notaries in certain matters.