Legal Definitions - sub pede sigilli

Sub pede sigilli is a Latin phrase that translates to "under the foot of the seal." In legal practice, this term refers to a document that has been officially authenticated or certified by the application of an official seal. The presence of a seal, often an embossed stamp or a wax seal, signifies that the document is a true and accurate copy of an original, or that it has been formally issued by a recognized authority. It provides a strong presumption of the document's authenticity and validity.

• Example 1: Certified Court Records

  A legal team requires an official copy of a divorce decree from a court in one state to present as evidence in a property dispute in another state. The court clerk prepares a duplicate of the original decree and then affixes the court's official seal, along with a signature, to the copy. This act certifies the document as a true and accurate reproduction of the original. The document is now considered to be sub pede sigilli, meaning its authenticity and official nature are guaranteed by the court's formal seal.

• Example 2: Official Government Documents

  When an individual applies for a passport, they must submit an official copy of their birth certificate. The copy they obtain from the state's vital records office will typically feature an embossed or printed seal of that governmental agency. This seal confirms that the birth certificate is an authentic record issued by the proper authority and has not been tampered with. The document is therefore sub pede sigilli, signifying its verified and official status for legal purposes.

• Example 3: Authenticated International Business Documents

  A company based in the United States needs to open a subsidiary in a foreign country. To register the new entity, the foreign government requires official copies of the U.S. company's articles of incorporation, authenticated for international use. The U.S. Secretary of State's office will issue a certified copy of the articles, often with an "apostille" or "legalization" certificate attached, bearing the Secretary's official seal. This process makes the document sub pede sigilli for international recognition, confirming its official origin and validity to the foreign authorities.