Why do passports need to be signed to be valid?
Why do passports need to be signed to be valid?
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.
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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.