A seal is a particular sign, made to attest, in the most formal manner, the execution of an instrument.
§ 1930.“Seal” defined
Title 2. Of the Kinds and Degrees of Evidence · Chapter 3. Writings · Article 3. Private Writings · Enacted 1872 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1930 defines a seal as a distinctive mark placed on an instrument to formally attest that the instrument was executed, giving later sections a fixed meaning for the term they use throughout Article 3.
Full Text of § 1930
Plain-English Summary
A seal, under this section, is a particular sign made to attest, in the most formal way available, that an instrument was executed. It's a mark of formality rather than a substantive requirement by itself; the point of a seal was always to signal, unmistakably, that the person executing the document meant to be bound.
This definition sets up Section 1931, which spells out exactly what counts as a seal for a public officer and what counts as one for a private party, and Section 1932, which then strips seals of most of their old legal significance in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Section 1930 say a seal is?
A particular sign made to attest, in the most formal manner, that an instrument was executed.
Does this section say who can use a seal or how it's made?
No. Section 1931 fills in those details, distinguishing a public seal from a private one and describing acceptable forms for each.
Why does the definition matter if seals no longer create legal differences?
Because Section 1932 abolished the practical distinction between sealed and unsealed writings, but courts still need this definition to identify a seal when interpreting older instruments.
Amendment History
(Enacted in 1872.)
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the West's Annotated California Codes / Thomson Reuters. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: definition of seal california lawwhat constitutes a seal on document