Legal Definitions - locus sigilli

The term locus sigilli (often abbreviated as L.S.) is a Latin phrase meaning "place of the seal." It refers to the specific spot on a legal document where a seal is intended to be placed or indicated.

Historically, seals were physical impressions made in wax or directly onto paper, used to authenticate documents and signify a party's intent to be legally bound. While physical seals are less common for many types of documents today, the concept of the "place of the seal" persists. The abbreviation "L.S." is now frequently used to symbolically represent this traditional requirement, indicating that the document is intended to have the legal effect of a sealed instrument, even without a physical seal.

Here are some examples illustrating locus sigilli:

• Formal Business Contract: Imagine a detailed agreement between two corporations for a major acquisition. At the end of the document, next to the signature line for each company's authorized representative, you might see the letters "L.S." printed in parentheses. This indicates the locus sigilli, signifying that the parties intend for this contract to be treated with the legal formality traditionally associated with a sealed document, even if no physical corporate seal is actually stamped onto the paper.

• Real Estate Deed: When a property owner transfers ownership of land through a deed, certain jurisdictions may still require a corporate seal if the grantor is a company. The deed document might have a pre-printed circle or a specific instruction like "Affix Corporate Seal Here" adjacent to the signature of the corporate officer. This designated spot is the locus sigilli, marking the precise location where the physical, embossed corporate seal must be applied to properly execute and validate the transfer of property.

• Notarized Affidavit: Consider an affidavit, which is a sworn written statement, that needs to be notarized. After the person signs the affidavit, a notary public will also sign and then apply their official notary seal. The affidavit form often includes a blank space or a small box near the notary's signature, sometimes labeled "Notary Seal," where the notary's embossed or stamped seal is meant to be placed. This specific area, reserved for the notary's official mark of authentication, serves as the locus sigilli for the notarization.