undertegnelse

Undertegnelse is a Norwegian term for the act of signing a document or for the signature itself, especially in formal or legal contexts. The word covers both the act of placing one’s signature on a text and the individuals who perform it—the undertegnede (the signatories).

Common contexts include contracts, agreements, wills, official certificates, and other documents that require confirmation of consent or acknowledgment. An undertegnelse typically includes the signature, the date, and sometimes the place of signing, and may be witnessed or notarized where required.

Relation to related terms: underskrift usually denotes the actual signature itself, while undertegnelse refers to the act of signing or to the signatories. Signatur is a broader term used for a person’s mark or signature, including both handwritten and electronic forms.

Electronic signatures: Electronic or digital signatures are legally recognized in Norway when they ensure identity and data integrity. As Norway participates in the EU’s eIDAS framework through the European Economic Area, electronic signatures that meet its criteria have the same legal effect as a handwritten underskrift. This applies to both individual signatories and organizations, provided the method used provides reliable authentication and tamper-proof verification.