Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A private signature is a person's name or mark written by that person or at their direction. It is used to authenticate a document and can be any symbol made or adopted with the intention of verifying the signer's identity. Private signatures can take different forms, including:
It is important to note that an unauthorized signature, which includes a forgery, is not a private signature. Private signatures are intended to be used by the signer or someone acting on their behalf, while unauthorized signatures are made without actual, implied, or apparent authority.
For example, when you sign a contract using a digital signature, you are creating a private signature that verifies your identity and intent to sign the document. On the other hand, if someone forges your signature on a check, that is an unauthorized signature because it was made without your permission or authority.