Seal in United States

Seal Definition

Anciently, wax with an impression. Sigillum est cera impressa quia cera sine impressione non est sigillum. 3 Inst. 169; 21 Pick. (Mass.) 417; 2 Caines (N. Y.) 362. In more modern law, wax, wafer, or any tenacious substance upon which an impression may be made. 5 Cush. (Mass.) 359; 5 Johns. (N. Y.) 239. In many of the states, a scroll made with a pen or printed (4 111. 12), such as the letters L. S.) (5 Wis. 549), or the word Seal (28 Grat. [Va.] 627), is held sufficient, and in some states this holding Is independent of statute (4 Ark. 195; 5 Cal. 315). SeeL. S.

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Legal Issue for Attorneys

Anciently, wax with an impression. Sigillum est cera impressa quia cera sine impressione non est sigillum. 3 Inst. 169; 21 Pick. (Mass.) 417; 2 Caines (N. Y.) 362. In more modern law, wax, wafer, or any tenacious substance upon which an impression may be made. 5 Cush. (Mass.) 359; 5 Johns. (N. Y.) 239. In many of the states, a scroll made with a pen or printed (4 111. 12), such as the letters L. S.) (5 Wis. 549), or the word Seal (28 Grat. [Va.] 627), is held sufficient, and in some states this holding Is independent of statute (4 Ark. 195; 5 Cal. 315). SeeL. S.

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This definition of Seal is based on The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary. This entry needs to be proofread.

Practical Information

Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982

An impression upon wax or wafer or some other substance capable of being impressed. The practice of affixing a seal to an instrument originated in the days when only a few people could write their names. Written instruments were marked with sealing wax, which was impressed with a ring or other device. This seal was the mark of the person making the instrument and took the place of a signature. Today, any material affixed to an instrument and intended as a seal, or the writing of the word Seal or L.S. (locus sigilli, Latin for “place of the seal”) after the signature is considered a seal. The process of affixing the seal is referred to as sealing the instrument, and the instrument then becomes a sealed instrument. Today, the sealed instrument has a twofold significance: (1) Under the statutes of limitations, the time during which suit may be brought on a sealed instrument is longer than on an unsealed instrument. (2) Suit on a contract cannot be defended on the basis that it was without consideration, because the consideration of a sealed instrument cannot be questioned. If an instrument is to be sealed, the testimonium clause (in U.S. law) will so indicate. See also corporate seal (in U.S. law).

(Revised by Ann De Vries)

What is Seal?

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