Which thumb impression is required for legal documents in India?

While purchasing a property or securing a loan you need to put your thumbprint in the documents. Not only in the property document, but you also need to submit your thumbprint when you are applying for your Aadhar card. Thumb impressions help to identify any person easily as the thumbprint differs from person to person. So, which thumb impression is required for legal documents in India. I will share with you the detailed answer to this.

Why is a thumb impression required for legal documents? 

• A thumb impression is required to avoid forgery. The signature can be copied by anyone which can create discrepancies. But a thumb impression is the only proof that a person was present while signing the documents and he/she had full consent.

• There is no distinction between a literate and illiterate person while signing a legal document. Everyone has to sign a legal document with their thumb irrespective of caste, creed, and sex.

• The thumb impression is considered a valid signature in the eye of the law.

Which thumb impression for male? 

Well, I have seen men sign their legal documents with their right thumb and if you are wondering which thumb impression for female, then I will say women normally use their left thumb to sign a legal document. 

But honestly, there is no hard and fast rule to sign a document with the left or right hand. It is something that has come down from generation to generation without question. To be brutally honest, this is just an unwritten rule made by the society that people follow.

Those people who are physically challenged can use other body parts such as toes to sign their documents. A signature done by any other body part would suffice in case of physically handicapped people or for someone who has no hands. 

I hope you understand now which thumb impression is required for legal documents in India.

You may be of the view that we can use any thumb impression for a legal document in India. But this is not true. I also was of the same view but I came to know that there are different rules for males and females for thumb impressions for legal documents in India. So, if you are wondering which thumb impression is required for legal document in India for males and for females, then keep reading the answer.

In our country, males are required to give their right thumb impression for legal documents. This is a conventional choice for legal purposes which also aligns with our traditional custom that we have been following for years. However, you should also know that it is not compulsory to use only the right thumb impression. Some documents give males a choice to use any thumb impression for legal documentation purposes. 

Which thumb impression is required for legal document in India for female?

Similarly, if you ask for a conventional rule of using a thumb impression for females, the left thumb impression is commonly used for legal and official documents. But again, there is flexibility here too. If a female cannot use a left thumb impression due to any reason, she can use her right thumb impression. The thumb should just be clean, unsmudged and attested by a notary or in the presence of a witness.

I believe now you know which thumb impression is required for legal document in India for males.

My grandfather is a farmer and he lives in our village in Bihar. One day, he called me up because he found himself in a situation where my grandmother needed to provide a thumb impression on a legal document. He was uncertain about which thumb to use as

ladies thumb impression

. I will tell you how I helped him out.

In India, the thumb impression required for legal documents depends on the specific situation and the preferences of the parties involved.

However, if there is an issue or constraint with the right thumb, the left thumb impression can also be used.

The

thumb impression of male or female

serves as a form of biometric identification, adding an element of authenticity to the document. It is commonly used when an individual is unable to provide a signature or as an alternative to a signature, particularly in cases where the person is illiterate or has physical limitations.

• To ensure the validity of the thumb impression, it is essential to follow certain guidelines. 

• The impression should be clear, distinct, and properly placed on the document. It should not be smudged or overlapping with any other markings. 

• The individual should press their thumb firmly on an ink pad or a suitable thumb impression pad before applying it to the document.

It's important to note that the acceptance of a thumb impression on a legal document may vary depending on the nature of the document and the specific requirements of the authority or organisation involved. 

Some documents, such as property agreements or government forms, may have specific guidelines regarding thumb impressions.