Legal Definitions - private signature

A private signature refers to a mark, typically a handwritten name, made by an individual to authenticate a document or signify their personal agreement, approval, or authorship. Unlike signatures made in an official capacity (such as by a notary public or a government official), a private signature is made by a person acting on their own behalf, for a personal or private matter. It serves to legally bind the individual to the contents of the document or to confirm their identity as the signatory.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a private signature:

• Signing a Loan Agreement: When an individual takes out a personal loan from a bank, they must sign the loan agreement. This signature is a private signature, as it signifies their personal commitment to repay the borrowed funds and legally binds them to the terms and conditions of the loan. They are acting as an individual borrower, not on behalf of an organization or in an official capacity.
• Endorsing a Check: If someone receives a check made out to them and wants to deposit or cash it, they typically sign the back of the check. This endorsement is a private signature, confirming their identity as the payee and authorizing the bank to process the transaction for their personal account.
• Executing a Last Will and Testament: When a person creates a will to specify how their assets should be distributed after their death, they must sign the document in the presence of witnesses. This signature is a private signature, reflecting their personal wishes and legally validating the will as their final declaration regarding their estate.