I do not know if it’s true for all countries, but at least the USA and the UK require your passport to be signed to be valid. And I know that when I fly, I sometimes get checked if it is signed.
Is there a practical reason for this? Does the signature get checked against anything? Or is it simply that the law says a passport must be signed to be valid, so there you go?
I googled around a bit, but only found resources on how to sign, but not why it needs to be signed.
Thank you Internet hive mind!
The theory is that you’ve signed your passport and it’s on a type of paper that will visibly deform if you try to erase it or white paper over it - so in theory a border guard could ask for your signature and compare it to the one on the document as a proof of identity.
In the modern world this doesn’t really matter because we’ve got a lot better ways to authenticate - including databases with your signature already in them.
However, the tradition lives on.
Oh also, it’s always a good idea to get someone to sign something if they’re doing fraudulent stuff - since it’s absolutely trivial to prove a forged signature done in front of a witness in court… it’s like getting Capone for tax fraud - easy to prove cases are easy.
And how is it with people who cannot sign stuff due to some disability?
I personally have a signature stamp. I imagine that would work for anyone who has literally any range of motion, down to “can hold a stamp in their teeth and tilt their head a few degrees to press it against a document”.
For people who don’t have even that, I think a notary is allowed to sign on your behalf, if they can be provided documentation of your disability, but that will vary by country of course.
Yes, a legal representative can do it. I’m not sure if just a notary would suffice though, at least not where I am.
Thumbprints are another possible way. Also simple marks like an X.
Not even a disability, but kids under 5-6 can’t sign by themselves, and will nead at least another decade to come with a real signature.
Think about this 9 year old with a toddler photo on their passport and a parent signature over is
Had to make a passport for my (at the time) 1yo. It had “not able” where the signature would go.
[off topic]
Back in the day, people were told to use cursive writing on checks and other documents because it was harder for crooks to forge them.
Just draw a picture of a frog
Because gang boss says you must do it or else.
