Is it legal to have two signatures?

Posted by Technical_Clock_516@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 33 comments

I started to question if what I'm doing is legal or not.

I have a long signature that I use for important documents like driving license, bank...

And another one that is much shorter and that I use at work. On a normal day, I might have to sign 40 times, that's why I started using this signature.

I read that it is ok as long as you have consistency, but I would like to know if anyone has more information.

Thanks!

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BibbleBeans@reddit

Yeah it’s your handwriting it can changed you’re not a robot. For a time last year I thought we had a reg called Williams (surname) in my team because one of the consultants just signs things differently in their ink pen compared to a biro.

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running_on_fumes25@reddit

Have as many as you want.

When you're signing a contract the only requirement to make it binding is to "make your mark". You could draw a turd with flies hovering around it, it doesn't make the contract invalid.

The only time it matters is with your bank. If you sign something like a cheque it'll be compared against the signature held on file. My bank (halifax) has several different versions of my signature on file.

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DeepStatic@reddit

I knew someone with the initials CW. They made the C in their signature nice and long and then put a big plump W dangling underneath the end of it.

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running_on_fumes25@reddit

Erm...ok?

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DeepStatic@reddit

Yours sincerely,

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running_on_fumes25@reddit

Ohhh

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rustynoodle3891@reddit

I have thousands of signatures it's different every time!

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canovil@reddit

Yeah, it’s fine to have two signatures. One for official stuff and a quicker one for work is totally normal. As long as you’re not using them to trick anyone and you’re consistent, there’s no problem.

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raindo@reddit

Not strictly true, at least in Scotland, that a signature can be anything you like. According to the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995, there are very strict requirements for your signature if you want it to be self-proving. EG forename-surname or initials-surname. You certainly can't sign X, or anything informal like "John" or even "Madonna" (because it doesn't follow the forename-surname format).

Of course in most circumstances your signature doesn't need to be self-proving so the answer to OP's question is the same as everyone else's. In Scotland, if your everyday signature doesn't follow the required format, it's not only allowed to have two different signatures, it's actually required.

Source: worked 30+ years in a job which requires me to check people's signatures on a daily basis.

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NarwhalsAreSick@reddit

My first thought is i doubt celebrities use the same signature for their autographs and their bank cards. I reckon you'll be absolutely fine.

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Lost-in-Limbo@reddit

A lot of celebs also use stage names too so I doubt faking Elton John's signature will get you into Reg Dwight's bank account.

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smoulderstoat@reddit

Apparently MPs are advised to use a different signature for personal and official stuff.

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Brilliant-Figure-149@reddit

So you're saying that their signatures that are listed in many of their Wikipedia entries probably aren't any use for us plebs to get up to any mischief?

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smoulderstoat@reddit

Sadly not. Killjoys.

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Lost-in-Limbo@reddit

Seems I'm the same as you, I have a full signature for important docs and a shorter one using just my initials for anything else (work, general approval mark etc)

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ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

I have a new signature every time I sign something. It’s basically just a squiggly mess that I couldn’t possibly recreate.

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SeoulGalmegi@reddit

Signatures aren't legally registered or anything. Sign anything however you want.

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umognog@reddit

I used to sign all my time sheets etc. with a smiley face emoji.

1) to prove a point that not one person looked at it.

2) because you can.

A signature doesnt need to be consistent to be legal, it needs to be able to demonstrate it was you; could you repeat it well enough if asked to. The old days of cheque books and signing switch slips was a part of fraud prevention and they would look for a visual check to compare and so there are situations you would want to be able to do that signature again. E.g. driver license.

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bacon_cake@reddit

Even if someone saw it they'd know it was you because you're the guy who signs with a smiley face. That was your signature.

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umognog@reddit

Ah see thats the thing; i had been working there for over a year already and changed it.

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ATSOAS87@reddit

I hope so, my signature is all over the place when it comes to consistency.

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cmdr_sparks@reddit

its not illegal i believe but it will get confusing later on

keep rememebering which signature was where and rejection due to wrong signature

having one makes it simple and easy

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BlackberryNice1270@reddit

Doctors use different signatures for medical documents. They're usually longer and difficult to forge, so it would be instantly obvious if the document was fraudulent. I think as long as you're always consistent it's probably fine.

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InspectionWild6100@reddit

The point of the signature is that you can identify it and say/think "yep I signed that" and that it can also be used in a legal situation.

I have two signatures. The short one is just my initials done in a swirly way and the second is my first initial and surname, done in a swirly fancy way. I use the short one all the time. The longer one is for legal documents.

I used to write my name in my normal handwriting, when I was a teenager. Then I noticed my dad wrote this signature in a swirly way, not just cursive, with extra swirls and just his initials and last name. I spent an hour or two practicing and came up with my two signatures. I've added some extra dots in strategic places, so only I would know they are there lol!

I cannot remember one time in my entire life where I have ever had to look at a signed document and say "yes" I signed that. I have never had any situation occur where I have been asked "did you sign this".

I'm quite disappointed as I spent some effort trying to make my swirly signature!

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shakesfistatmoon@reddit

I also use two signatures for exactly the same reason.

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Colleen987@reddit

I have a different signature whether I’m signing a) personally, b) professionally, c) for the firm

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Chance-Papaya3705@reddit

Do whatever you want.

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Scarred_fish@reddit

Not only is it legal, but what you're doing is good practice.

I was advised this during legal training at work, to have a "wirk signature" that was different to my personal one for security.

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jeminar@reddit

When I taught, kids needed stuff signed, dozens of times at the start of each break. My signature turned into 3 lines, despite my name having 23 characters.

I still is.

I haven't used my 'long' signature for years now.

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In the case you disagree in future that you gave approval, the signature can be compared to previous ones, but it’s a difficult process.

What’s more likely to happen is that you’ll be asked if you signed, and you say yes.

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