A manually executed signature, often referred to as a traditional signature, involves an individual physically marking a document with their name, initials, or a personalized symbol using a pen or similar instrument. This process necessitates the physical presence of the signatory and the tangible document requiring authentication. For instance, executing a real estate contract by handwriting one’s name on the dotted line in the presence of a notary public exemplifies this type of authentication.
This method provides a direct, tangible link between the signer and the document, offering a visual and tactile confirmation of intent. Historically, it has served as the cornerstone of legal and business transactions, establishing validity and preventing repudiation. Its inherent physicality provides a degree of security, as alterations or forgeries are often detectable through forensic examination of the physical document and the ink used.
