The basics
- Everyone named as a party signs. On a lease, that’s the landlord and every adult tenant.
- Use your full legal name, matching the name in the document.
- Date every signature.
- Initial each page of longer agreements, and any handwritten changes.
- Give every party a signed copy.
Signing for a business
Sign with your name and title, and the company name, like this:
Acme LLC, by: Jane Smith, Managing Member
Signing only your own name can make you personally liable.
Witnesses
Wills usually need two adult witnesses who aren’t beneficiaries. Some states require witnesses for powers of attorney or deeds too. Witnesses watch you sign, then sign themselves with their addresses.
Notaries
A notary verifies your identity. See how to get a document notarized.
Electronic signatures
E-signatures are valid for most contracts. Use a service that records who signed and when, or exchange signed PDFs by email. For wills, deeds and powers of attorney, sign in ink unless your state clearly allows otherwise.
Changes after signing
Don’t edit a signed document. Make a written amendment signed by everyone, or sign a new version.
