Why must a petition have a wet signature?

A petition is a legal document through which a person communicates a request or complaint to an official authority. The question is a wet signature required on a petition has become increasingly relevant in today’s digital age. A wet signature represents the individual’s identity and intent tied to the document. In the Turkish legal system, a signature is a personal mark that identifies the owner of a document and makes it legally binding. Therefore, a wet signature on a petition is not a mere formality but tangible proof of the petitioner’s will. Even in electronic environments, unless identity verification is carried out, a digital signature does not replace a handwritten one because a wet signature, written by the individual’s own hand, is uniquely verifiable and cannot be denied.

Why is a wet signature mandatory on petitions

For a petition to be valid, it must meet certain formal requirements, and one of them is the signature element. According to the Petition Law and related regulations, a petition without personal information, address, and signature cannot be processed by public institutions. A wet signature verifies the identity of the author and confirms that the statement was made voluntarily. If the signature is missing, the document is considered an “anonymous declaration” and is excluded from processing. This rule applies in both administrative and judicial contexts. Particularly in applications, complaints, or compensation claims, the signature is seen as the legal guarantee of personal responsibility. While e-signatures or mobile signatures can replace wet signatures under certain conditions, they are only valid if issued with a qualified electronic certificate as defined in the Electronic Signature Law No. 5070.

The answer to is a wet signature required on a petition is both yes and conditional. In physical submissions, a wet signature is strictly mandatory; in digital submissions, only e-signature or mobile signature versions are accepted. Institutions do not process unsigned petitions, as such documents are legally invalid. The wet signature remains the strongest evidence of both identity verification and document authenticity. It continues to be the foundation of written communication between citizens and the state, serving as a concrete reflection of legal responsibility and trust. / 2025-11-09 02:35:44