Tag: E-Signature

How to sign as power of attorney: formats, samples and rules

Signing under a power of attorney has a format of its own, and banks in particular are strict about it. This guide covers the standard signature line, samples for checks, contracts and medical forms, the situations that …

What is a countersigned contract?

A countersigned contract is a contract that one party signs and the other party then signs to confirm their agreement. That second, confirming signature is the countersignature. Once both parties have signed, the …

The EUDI Wallet is coming: here's what it means for qualified e-signatures

By December 2026, every EU citizen will have access to a government-verified digital identity wallet that makes qualified electronic signatures as easy as unlocking a phone. If your contracts rely on QES, or should but …

Signatory vs signer vs signee: contract signing roles

Signatory, signer, signee, party, counterparty, witness: contracts use a handful of overlapping words for the people involved in signing. Here is what each one means and how they fit together. A one-table comparison of …

Forging a signature: meaning, penalties and how to spot it

Forging a signature means signing someone else’s name, or copying their signature, without their authority so that others accept it as genuine. It is a crime in the US, the UK and Germany, with maximum sentences …

Authorized signatory: who can sign for a company

An authorized signatory is a person with the legal power to sign documents and bind a company. This guide covers where that authority comes from (law, bylaws, board resolutions, delegation policies, Prokura), how to …

What is a wet signature? Meaning and when you need one

A wet signature is a signature you write by hand, in ink, on paper. Most contracts no longer need one, because electronic signatures are legally valid in the US, the UK and the EU. Ink is still required for a short list …

How are contracts usually signed?

Contracts are usually signed either physically (handwritten) or electronically, by all involved parties to confirm their agreement to the terms. Each party typically signs on designated signature lines, along with the …

How to sign on behalf of others: p.p., for/on behalf of, etc.

Correctly using abbreviations like p.p., for/on behalf of, and as authorized agent while signing on someone else’s behalf is crucial. It’s not just about formal correctness, but also clarifying legal powers …

Digital contract signing: this is what you need to consider!

A contract is only valid if all parties involved sign the agreement. Only with a valid signature does a contract have legal force. Therefore, it is important to consider some points when using digital contract signing.

Digital signature

A digital signature (also called an electronic signature) is the equivalent of a handwritten signature. The eIDAS regulation of the European Union distinguishes three quality levels of electronic signatures.

eIDAS: Electronic Identification, Authentification & Trust Services

The eIDAS regulation is an EU regulation on the use of electronic signatures. eIDAS is the abbreviation for Electronic Identification, Authentification and Trust Services.