What is a wet signature: A detailed breakdown

There’s no avoiding signatures in our daily lives. Whether you want to sign a million-dollar contract or withdraw a couple of dollars from the bank, a signature is needed. Some of the most recognized signatures are known as wet signatures.

In this guide, you’ll learn what a wet signature is, why it’s important, the different types of wet signatures, and so much more. Let’s dive in.

What is a Wet Signature?

A wet signature is a physical signature created using ink or a similar substance that is applied to paper or other materials. Wet signatures are often used in legal, financial, and other important documents to verify the authenticity and validity of the signature.

A wet signature is created by using a writing instrument such as a pen to sign a document. The pen contains ink and the ink is applied to the paper or other surface to create the signature. The ink creates a permanent mark that cannot be easily altered or replicated, which makes it a reliable way to verify the identity of the signer.

There are many types of signatures in general and even multiple types of wet signatures which include:

1. Original signatures: These are signatures that are created by the signer in person and are not reproduced or copied.
2. Photocopied signatures: These are signatures that are reproduced using a photocopier or similar technology. They are not considered as reliable as original or digital signatures because they can be easily altered or forged.
3. Fax signatures: These are signatures that are transmitted via fax machines. They are not They’re not considered as authentic as original signatures because they can be duplicated or altered.

Why is a Wet Signature Important?

1. Legal validity of wet signatures: Wet signatures have legal validity in many jurisdictions. In many cases, wet signatures are required to make a document legally binding and cannot be substituted for an electronic signature. For example, wills, deeds, and contracts often require wet signatures to be valid.

Wet signatures serve as evidence that the person whose signature appears on the document has agreed to the terms outlined in the document. It’s rare for a wet signature to be rejected as a form of validation for a contract or legal document.

2. Authenticity and integrity of wet signatures: These types of signatures are both difficult to replicate and alter once created. When a person signs a document using a pen or other permanent writing tool (pencils are not considered permanent), the ink becomes absorbed into the paper, creating a mark.

The mark applied is difficult and, in many cases, impossible to alter without showing evidence of tampering. The challenges of altering them and the ability to call on witnesses make wet signatures a reliable method to show confirmation of an agreement or transaction.

3. Comparison of wet signatures to electronic and digital signatures: While wet signatures are still widely used, electronic and digital signatures have become increasingly popular. Many factors have contributed to this such as better technology, COVID-19, and increasing remote work.

Electronic signatures are created using electronic methods such as typing or clicking on a signature box, while digital signatures use encryption technology to secure the signature. Both types of signatures are considered to be legally valid in many jurisdictions, but may not have the same level of authenticity and integrity as wet signatures.

Their authenticity is a notch below wet signatures because they can be more easily replicated or tampered with. This has the potential for them to be more vulnerable to fraud. Wet signatures are still the preferred way to sign in many legal and financial transactions where authenticity and integrity are of utmost importance.

Different Types of Wet Signatures

Original Signatures:

Original signatures are those that are created in person by the signer using a pen or other writing instrument (like a quill). This type of signature is considered the most reliable and authentic. The main disadvantage of original signatures is that they require the signer to be physically present, which can be inconvenient or impractical in some situations.

Pros:

• Most reliable and authentic type of signature
• Difficult to replicate or tamper with

Cons:

• Requires the signer to be physically present
• Can be inconvenient or impractical in some situations

Photocopied Signatures:

Photocopied signatures are created by making a copy of an original signature using a photocopier or similar device. While this type of signature is faster and more convenient than original signatures, it’s less reliable and easier to replicate or tamper with. Some jurisdictions may not recognize this type of signature.

Pros:

• Faster and more convenient than original signatures

Cons:

• Less reliable and easier to replicate or tamper with

Fax Signatures:

Fax signatures, similar to photocopied signatures, take an original signature and send a copy to another place. It has the same risk of being tampered with for a motivated actor but it’s faster to get the signature when compared to a traditional wet signature.

Pros:

• Faster and more convenient than original signatures

Cons:

• Less reliable and easier to replicate or tamper with

When is a Wet Signature Required?

Below are a few situations where wet signatures are either required or preferred. The laws in each jurisdiction vary so it’s important o doublecheck to see whether a wet signature is required for your specific situation.

1. Legal Documents: Many legal documents such as deeds, wills, adoption papers, etc. need to be signed with a wet signature before they can be considered valid. Some contracts like those for purchasing property over a certain value may also require a wet signature. This is because wet signatures serve as evidence that the person whose signature appears on the document has agreed to the terms outlined in the document.

2. Financial Transactions: In many financial transactions, such as loans, mortgages, and bank account applications, wet signatures are required to confirm the identity of the person signing the document and to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the transaction.

This is especially try with banking transactions. You’ll often enter a physical branch and want to withdraw money. When you sign the withdrawal slip, the teller will compare your signature

3. Employment Agreements: Employment agreements, such as offer letters and employment contracts, often require a wet signature to indicate that the employee has read and agreed to the terms of the agreement. This requirement is rapidly changing with more and more employers being comfortable accepting electronic signatures.

4. Government Forms: Many government forms, such as tax forms, passport applications, and voter registration forms, require a wet signature to verify the identity of the person signing the document and to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the information provided.

5. Medical Documents: Medical documents, such as consent forms and medical release forms, often require a wet signature to ensure that the patient has given informed consent and to protect the privacy of their medical information.

Wet signatures are typically required in situations where authenticity, integrity, and legal validity are of utmost importance. While digital and electronic signatures are becoming increasingly popular, wet signatures are still preferred in many legal and financial transactions due to their reliability and authenticity.

How to Ensure the Validity of a Wet Signature

Like other signatures, wet signatures aren’t perfect. There are ways they can be tampered with and it’s up to you to ensure they’re valid when doing business. Here are a few ways you can do that.

1. Verify the identity of the signer: Identity verification can be done in multiple ways wich includes checking a government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, or by comparing the signature on the document to a known signature of the signer.

2. Use high-quality paper and ink: Using high-quality paper and ink can help prevent fraud and ensure the longevity of the signature. High-quality paper is less likely to tear or fade over time, and high-quality ink is less likely to smudge or blur when writing. It’s also less likely to fade over time.

3. Date the document: Dating the document can help establish the timeline of events and provide additional evidence of when the document was signed. It’s important to date the document at the time of signing to ensure accuracy.

4. Use witnesses: Having witnesses present when the document is signed can provide additional evidence of the validity of the signature. Witnesses can attest to the identity of the signer and the authenticity of the document if needed. You may need to collect the contact information of the witness within the document or separately in case you need to call on them at a later date.

5. Store the document securely: Once the document has been signed, it’s important to store it securely to prevent tampering or loss. This may involve storing the document in a secure location, such as a safe or locked cabinet, or using a document management system to store and track the document.

To make sure wet signatures are valid, verify the identity of the signer, using high-quality paper and ink, dating the document, using witnesses, and storing the document securely. By following these steps, you can ensure that your wet signatures are reliable, authentic, and legally valid.

Conclusion

Wet signatures have been around for centuries and they’re not going away any time soon. Even though electronic signatures are becoming more popular, wet signatures still have their place.

This guide has looked at what wet signatures are, how to create them, as well as the different types. It has also shown you a few ways to make sure the signatures you collect are valid.

Let me know what you think in the comments. If you’re looking for an end-to-end document creation and signing solution, be sure to check out DoxFlowy.