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!
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.