united-states civil-law new-jersey
Signing a contract as an agent - should the agent sign his name or the principal&#39;s name?
<p>Suppose a husband authorizes his wife to act as an agent on his behalf to enter into a contract agreement with another party: Would she sign her own name on the contract or that of her husband's (the principal)? Or both? I've read this:</p>
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<p>The proper way to sign as an agent is to first sign the principal's full legal name, then write the word &quot;by,&quot; and then sign your name</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It sounds like she needs to sign both her name and her husband's name.</p>
<p>Is this the only way?</p>
<p>If the contract contains the husband's name as the party entering into the legal agreement but the wife omitted her husband's name before her signature (she only signed her own name) is the contract still valid and binding?</p>

<p>The quoted way is the proper way. The principal's name would often be printed, however, followed by &quot;by&quot; with the agent's name signed.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Is this the only way?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No. This type of formalities can be dispensed with as long as the substance of the terms of the contract and the parties thereto is clear.</p>
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<p>If the contract contains the husband's name as the party entering into the legal agreement but the wife omitted her husband's name before her signature (she only signed her own name) is the contract still valid and binding?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Generally speaking, yes. For the exception, see my <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/88058/is-a-residential-lease-signed-by-ones-spouse-valid/88059?noredirect=1#comment197835_88059">reply to your comment</a>. It is valid and binding, more so under the circumstance you have mentioned elsewhere: that the husband concedes that his wife was authorized to enter the contract on his behalf.</p>
