Understanding Wet Signatures: Importance, and Modern Alternatives

Signatures are of various types. The one that is somehow replaced these days is the wet signature. It is also known as handwritten signature. The term wet signifies something that needs to be dried. It takes time to be dried so the ink does not get spoiled. However, It is used as a necessary part of the legal documentation. It’s because it endorses the consent of the signer.

The significance of a signature on a particular document can never be disowned. Documents and approval in the form of a signature go hand in hand. A signature might represent the initials of the signatories or the full name. Further, it is always mentioned in the paper. A signature endorses the ownership of the person who signs it. 

In this era of advancement, people don’t have time for each other, and all the business meetings go hand in hand. So, they prefer electronic and digital signatures to sign their documents. On the other hand, wet ink signatures are also required for some documents. This guide will explain the details of the wet signature. Keep reading the article!

The History And The Evolution of Wet Signature

Wet ink signatures have been necessary for centuries. In contrast, moving from bird feather pens to the actual nibs or talking about thumb impressions cast by thumbs dipped in ink. Furthermore, the stamps on the legal documents these signatures were wet and required time to dry to preserve the signature.

Today, electronic signatures are replacing these wet ink signatures. A lot of software has been developed that uses the name’s initials or names designed in specific fonts that represent the actual hand signatures. So, wet signatures are no longer the only claiming name of the document. After all, who has enough time to wait for the signatures to dry and carry their actual purpose because the world is going on quickly?

Accessibility Of The Signatories                   

Another perspective of the wet signatures is the availability of the signatories. The wet ink needs to be written by hand. Hence, it signifies that the signatories of the documents should be physically present to sign the document with their hands. In this era of advancement, people don’t have time for each other, and all the business meetings go hand in hand. Where can even the difference of seconds either make it or break it? Who has time to wait for the owner, get the signatures, and wait for it to dry?

Therefore, electronic signatures and other alternatives have kicked in the market. But this doesn’t mean that wet signatures are no longer needed. The physical availability of the signatories is the most significant proof that the documents are not forged. That is why it is also called a physical signature. So, It helps with the attestation of the documents. Many legal documents are signed only if the wet signature is available, as it is a tool of acceptance, agreement, and authenticity.

Wet Ink Signature –An Ultimate Need

Documents that demand wet ink signatures. It includes wills, testimony, cocktails, divorce, and adoption papers. Furthermore, it also contains transaction documents, securities, physical court documents, and many more.

The need for wet signatures may vary depending on the cases in which signatures are required. Some legal jurisdictions mention the need for a wet ink signature. It’s because it signifies the authenticity of the owner. In some cases of dispute or ownership, the wet ink signatures are the need of the hour. In addition, there are many other alternatives, as mentioned above. Hence, you can also use these alternatives.

Satisfies The Requirements

Departments related to finance and healthcare issues require the mandatory presence of wet ink signatures.

For Non-Technical Moments

Often, people are caught up in situations where they have to deal with transactions at an urgent moment. Well, the wet ink signatures are perfect for the moment. Instead of waiting for the digital documentation, wet ink signatures save time, energy, and investment that would otherwise be spent on electronic signatures.

E-Version Of Wet Ink Signatures

The significance of wet ink signatures relies so much on legal documents that some apps. It includes Adobe Acrobat. This software allows you to convert handwritten signatures into digital forms. So you can use converted signatures however you want. So, it is a digital version of the handwritten signature. By following some easy steps on their website, handwritten signatures with all their curves and complexities can be drawn on digital paper.

However, the accuracy of copying the font size and design of the signature is not one hundred percent. Therefore, the wet ink signatures hold that particular charm. But machines cannot copy your identification mark in each go. So when a person is used to a specific signature design, their hand delivers the same style with the same pressure on the paper. If someone copies this mark, it can be easily exposed, which is how forged documents are proved.

Physical Availability

One of the most significant advantages of wet ink signatures is the signer’s testimony while signing the document. Testimony that reflects that the signer was physically available during the closure of the contract or the legal documentation procedure. It is imperative as some of the crucial documents cannot be processed further unless signed in the presence of the main character of the deal.

Wet Ink Signature –A Challenging Method

Apart from the advantages mentioned, wet ink signatures may cause challenging situations. These problematic situations require other alternatives that would tackle them.

Difficult To Recover

The wet ink signatures, once lost, are difficult to recover. Suppose a meeting was held between two foreign delegates while cracking a specific deal. Hence, the signatures were made on the legal documents. The signatures are lost for some reason, and the time shortage prevents them from meeting again. The documentation process will be useless as the wet ink signatures are lost.

Time Taking

Wet ink signatures are time-consuming. They demand a whole procedure for some significant business meetings. Further, it may cause delays in some notable business meetings.

Not Eco-Friendly

As the wet ink signature consumes both ink and paper in any format, paper production is a leading cause of deformation. The point is that when other alternatives that are eco-friendly and do not consume matter and other physical objects are available, why is there an expenditure on paper and ink? Cases, where electronic signatures could be used effectively, should be used, and the places where the need for wet ink signature is mandatory should only allow them to be used.

Conclusion

To sum up, the wet signature is also known as a handwritten signature. However, One of the most significant advantages of wet ink signatures is the signer’s testimony while signing the document. The wet ink needs to be written by hand. Furthermore, it signifies that the signatories of the documents should be physically present so they can sign the document with their own hands.

The standout thing about this signature is that Many legal documents are accepted if the wet signature is available. Hence, it is a tool for some documents’ acceptance, agreement, and authenticity. We have discussed the history and evolution of wet ink signatures. Moreover, we have also discussed its ultimate requirements and challenging methods. Please read this article carefully if you want to know about wet ink signatures. Contact our support team if you encounter issues understanding wet ink signatures. Good luck!