Directory · 15 entries

Signing rules directory

This directory lists official rules that say who may sign a document and in what form. It covers company execution, deeds, bills and treaties. A UK company can sign through two authorised signatories ¹. Delaware sets officers' duties in the bylaws or a board resolution ². Treaty representatives need full powers, except heads of state, heads of government and foreign ministers ³. Each row gives the rule and the person who may sign, with its source.

Last checked 6 November 2026

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Companies Act 2006, section 44(2)(a) ¹
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Who may sign
Two authorised signatories, meaning every director and in some companies the secretary ¹
What the signature does
Validly executes a document for the company ¹
Companies Act 2006, section 44(2)(b) ¹
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Who may sign
One director in the presence of a witness who attests the signature ¹
What the signature does
Validly executes a document for the company ¹
Companies Act 2006, section 43 ⁴
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Who may sign
A person acting under the company's authority, express or implied ⁴
What the signature does
Makes a contract on behalf of the company ⁴
Companies Act 2006, section 40 ⁵
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Who may sign
Directors, or persons they authorise ⁵
What the signature does
Power to bind is deemed free of constitutional limits for a person dealing in good faith ⁵
Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989, section 1(3) ⁶
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Who may sign
The individual before one attesting witness, or another person at the individual's direction before two witnesses ⁶
What the signature does
Executes a deed, which must be delivered ⁶
Delaware General Corporation Law, section 142 ²
Jurisdiction
United States
Who may sign
Officers with titles and duties stated in the bylaws or a board resolution ²
What the signature does
Enables the corporation to sign instruments and stock certificates ²
Delaware General Corporation Law, section 158 ⁷
Jurisdiction
United States
Who may sign
Any 2 authorized officers, signatures may be facsimiles ⁷
What the signature does
Signs a stock certificate for the corporation ⁷
US Constitution, Article I, Section 7 ⁸
Jurisdiction
United States
Who may sign
The President ⁸
What the signature does
Signs a bill passed by both Houses if he approves it ⁸
US Constitution, Article II, Section 2 ⁸
Jurisdiction
United States
Who may sign
The President, with the consent of two thirds of the Senators present ⁸
What the signature does
Makes treaties ⁸
Royal assent ⁹
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Who may sign
The King, announced by the Lord Speaker and the Speaker ⁹
What the signature does
Formally agrees to make a bill an Act of Parliament ⁹
Royal Assent Act, sections 2 to 5 ¹⁰
Jurisdiction
Canada
Who may sign
Assent in Parliament assembled or by written declaration, which more than one member of each House may witness ¹⁰
What the signature does
Act is deemed assented to when both Houses are notified of a written declaration ¹⁰
Basic Law, Article 58 ¹¹
Jurisdiction
Germany
Who may sign
Federal Chancellor or competent Federal Minister countersigns ¹¹
What the signature does
Countersignature is required for the validity of the President's orders and directions ¹¹
Basic Law, Article 82 ¹¹
Jurisdiction
Germany
Who may sign
Federal President, after countersignature ¹¹
What the signature does
Certifies federal laws for promulgation in the Federal Law Gazette ¹¹
Basic Law, Article 59 ¹¹
Jurisdiction
Germany
Who may sign
Federal President ¹¹
What the signature does
Concludes treaties for the Federation. Treaties on political relations need a federal law ¹¹
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, articles 2(1)(c) and 7 ³
Jurisdiction
International
Who may sign
Representative with full powers. Heads of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers need none ³
What the signature does
Negotiates, adopts or authenticates a treaty or expresses consent to be bound ³

Notes

Rows quote the rule as published on the official page read on 6 November 2026. Section 44 applies under the law of England and Wales or Northern Ireland ¹.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@whosignedwhat.com.

Companies Act 2006, section 44(2)(a) 1

Companies Act 2006, section 44(2)(b) 1

Companies Act 2006, section 43 4

Companies Act 2006, section 40 5

Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989, section 1(3) 6

Delaware General Corporation Law, section 142 2

Delaware General Corporation Law, section 158 7

US Constitution, Article I, Section 7 8

US Constitution, Article II, Section 2 8

Royal assent 9

Royal Assent Act, sections 2 to 5 10

Basic Law, Article 58 11

Basic Law, Article 82 11

Basic Law, Article 59 11

Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, articles 2(1)(c) and 7 3

Notes

Sources

Companies Act 2006, section 44(2)(a) ¹

Companies Act 2006, section 44(2)(b) ¹

Companies Act 2006, section 43 ⁴

Companies Act 2006, section 40 ⁵

Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989, section 1(3) ⁶

Delaware General Corporation Law, section 142 ²

Delaware General Corporation Law, section 158 ⁷

US Constitution, Article I, Section 7 ⁸

US Constitution, Article II, Section 2 ⁸

Royal assent ⁹

Royal Assent Act, sections 2 to 5 ¹⁰

Basic Law, Article 58 ¹¹

Basic Law, Article 82 ¹¹

Basic Law, Article 59 ¹¹

Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, articles 2(1)(c) and 7 ³