What Is a Conformed Signature?
Business documents no longer need to be printed, signed by hand, and mailed or faxed every time a signature is required. Many transactions can now be completed electronically, even with a smartphone. With a conformed signature, you can create an authorized signature on certain documents without requiring immediate access to a printer or scanner.
What is a Conformed Signature?
A conformed signature, or S-signature, is a typed representation of a person’s signature that appears on a copy or electronically submitted version of a document. Rather than signing the document by hand, the signer’s name is entered on the signature line, often with “/s/” placed before it. Unlike a wet signature, which is written by hand, a conformed signature uses typed characters to represent the signer’s authorization. It may appear on an electronic document or on a copy of a document that was originally signed by hand.
A conformed signature is one way to represent a signature electronically, although electronic signatures may also be created through signing platforms or other digital processes. Conformed signatures are commonly used on documents submitted by email, fax, or electronic filing system.
Conformed Signature Examples
A conformed signature commonly uses “/s/” followed by the signer’s typed name. For example:
/s/ John Doe
John Doe, President
In this example, the first line is the signature and the second line identifies the signer and title. Depending on the document or filing system, the signature may also appear as John Doe, /John Doe/, or another approved typed format. The signer’s title may be included when the person is signing on behalf of a business.
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Conformed Signature Requirements
The requirements for a conformed signature depend on the document and the organization receiving it. Generally, the signature must be authorized by the person whose name appears on the document. When signing for a business, the document may also need to identify the signer’s title or capacity, such as president, manager, or authorized representative.
The signature must follow the required format. A common example is “/s/ John Doe,” although some agencies and filing systems permit other typed formats. The document may also require the signer’s title, the date of signing, contact information, or other identifying details.
Before using a conformed signature, confirm that the receiving party accepts it. Requirements can vary among government agencies, courts, financial institutions, and private businesses. For example, Delaware’s Court of Chancery requires “/s/” before an attorney’s name when an electronic signature is used. Other documents may require a handwritten, digital, witnessed, or notarized signature instead.
Conformed Signature Legal Status
A conformed signature may have the same legal effect as a handwritten signature when the signer intends to sign and the applicable rules permit that format. Delaware and federal laws generally provide that an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic.
However, those laws do not require every court, agency, institution, or private party to accept every signature format. Some documents may require a handwritten, witnessed, notarized, or otherwise authenticated signature. The signer should verify the requirements for the specific document and retain evidence of authorization when appropriate.
FAQs
Can I type a conformed signature instead of signing?
Yes, when the organization receiving the document accepts typed or conformed signatures. Some courts, agencies, businesses, and filing systems allow a name preceded by “/s/,” while others require a handwritten, digital, notarized, or witnessed signature.
Is “/s/” required for a conformed signature?
The “/s/” notation is a common way to indicate that a typed name represents a signature, but it is not universally required. The correct format depends on the receiving party’s rules.
Does a conformed signature need to be witnessed?
Not always. Witnessing requirements depend on the type of document and the law governing it, not simply on whether the signature is conformed or electronic. Routine business filings may not require a witness, while wills, estate documents, and other formal agreements may have additional execution requirements.
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