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Signature and Stamp: Meaning & Legal Difference

The legal difference between a signature and a company stamp in GCC contracts — what each mark means, when you need both, and how to apply them when e-signing.

2 min read

In the field builder, both Signature and Stamp look like image-bearing fields, but they carry different legal weight — especially in GCC business contexts.

Signature

A signature is the individual's mark of agreement. It binds that person to the document. Signers can either:

  • Draw their signature with a mouse / touch / stylus
  • Type their name, which renders in a script-style font (Great Vibes)
  • Upload an image of their handwritten signature

In all three cases, the captured image embeds into the final PDF at the field's exact location.

Stamp

A stamp is the organization's corporate seal — typically a circular or rectangular mark with the company's name, registration number, and sometimes a logo. In Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and most other GCC jurisdictions, contracts between companies (B2B, vendor agreements, partnership deeds) are often only fully enforceable when both:

  1. The signing officer signs personally, AND
  2. The company stamp is applied

This is rooted in commercial law tradition — the stamp represents corporate authorization in a way an individual signature cannot.

Using stamps in SahlSign

In the field builder palette, drag a Stamp field onto the PDF the same way you would a signature field. When the signer reaches the stamp field on the signing page, they upload an image of the company seal (JPG / PNG). The image embeds preserving aspect ratio so circular stamps stay circular.

The Certificate of Completion records stamp fields separately from signature fields in the per-signer forensic block, labeled "STAMP". A reviewer / auditor can see exactly which marks were signatures (individual binding) and which were stamps (corporate authorization) at a glance.

When to use which

  • Personal contract (e.g., employment offer, individual NDA) — signature only
  • B2B contract (e.g., vendor agreement, partnership) — signature + stamp for each party
  • Government / regulated filing (e.g., commercial registration update) — usually signature + stamp + sometimes a third "official seal" field for the notary

Frequently asked questions

What does "signed and stamped" mean?
A document that is signed and stamped carries two separate marks — the personal signature of the individual who agreed to it, and the official stamp (corporate seal) of the organization they represent. In GCC business practice the signature binds the person; the stamp evidences the company's authorization.
What is the difference between a company seal and a stamp?
In everyday GCC usage the terms are interchangeable — both refer to the organization's official mark bearing its name and registration number. "Seal" is the older common-law term; "stamp" (khatm) is the term used across Gulf commercial practice. Some jurisdictions distinguish an embossed seal from an inked stamp, but legally they serve the same role of corporate authorization.
Is a contract valid without a company stamp?
Between individuals, a signature alone is generally sufficient. For company-to-company contracts in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and neighboring jurisdictions, counterparties and many government bodies expect both the authorized signatory's signature and the company stamp — a contract missing the stamp may face avoidable disputes over corporate authorization even where the law does not strictly require it.
Can a stamp replace a signature?
No. A stamp evidences that the organization authorized the document, but it does not identify which person agreed to it. Courts and auditors look for the individual signature as the mark of personal assent; the stamp complements it rather than replacing it.
Can I apply a company stamp electronically?
Yes. In SahlSign, add a Stamp field to the document and the signer uploads an image of the company seal during signing. The completion certificate records stamp fields separately from signatures, so an auditor can distinguish personal assent from corporate authorization.
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