An agreement, in writing, without a seal, for the compromise or settlement of a debt, is as obligatory as if a seal were affixed.
§ 1934.Unsealed agreement for compromise or settlement of debt; validity
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 1934 provides that a written agreement to compromise or settle a debt binds the parties just as strongly whether or not it carries a seal, treating an unsealed compromise agreement as fully obligatory.
Full Text of § 1934
Plain-English Summary
This section applies the no-difference rule of Section 1932 to a specific, everyday kind of agreement: a settlement of a debt. A written agreement to compromise or settle what's owed binds the parties just as firmly as if it had been sealed, even though no seal was affixed.
That matters practically because debt settlements happen constantly, and a party trying to escape one shouldn't be able to argue that the deal lacks force merely for want of a formality the law no longer requires. Section 1934 removes any doubt on that specific point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a debt settlement agreement need a seal to be binding?
No. Section 1934 says a written compromise or settlement agreement is obligatory whether or not it's sealed.
How does this section relate to Section 1932?
It applies Section 1932's general rule, that sealing no longer affects a writing's legal force, to the specific context of debt compromise agreements.
Could a party argue an unsealed settlement of a debt isn't enforceable?
Not on the ground that it lacks a seal. This section forecloses that argument directly.
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: unsealed debt settlement agreement enforceablecompromise agreement seal not required