Quick answer: Stamp first, then sign inside or just above the stamp, so the signature overlaps the stamp impression. Use the Director (or Designated Partner) stamp when you sign as a board member — bank forms, board-approved agreements, statutory documents. Use the Authorised Signatory stamp for routine business paperwork — invoices, purchase orders, letters — and for anyone authorised by a board resolution.
Which stamp goes on which document?
| Document | Stamp to use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank account opening form and signature card | Director / Designated Partner | Sign exactly as on the form; the bank keeps this as your specimen |
| Cheques | Director or Authorised Signatory — as per the bank mandate | Use the same stamp every time; mismatches cause returns |
| Tax invoices, quotations, purchase orders | Authorised Signatory | Add the round seal if the customer asks for it |
| Agreements, leases, NDAs | Director or Authorised Signatory + round seal | Sign every page if the counterparty requests initials |
| Board resolutions and certified copies | Director | Certified copies usually carry "Certified True Copy" above the signature |
| Delivery challans, receipts | Round seal | Quick acknowledgement stamp |
Where exactly should the signature go?
The standard Indian practice is: stamp impression with "For [Company Name]" at the top, your signature in the space between the Company Name and the designation line, and the designation ("Director") at the bottom. This shows the Company is signing through you, not you personally. On cheques, keep the signature within the signature box and stamp so the stamp does not cover the MICR band at the bottom.
Is a Company stamp legally required?
No Indian law makes a Rubber Stamp compulsory for a document to be valid — a signature by an authorised person binds the Company. In practice, banks, government offices, suppliers and customers expect it, and a missing stamp is one of the most common reasons forms get sent back. That's why it's on every post-incorporation checklist, including ours for PVT. LTD., LLP and OPC.
Who can use the Authorised Signatory stamp?
Anyone the board (or the partners, for an LLP) has authorised by resolution — a director, a manager, an accountant. The stamp itself carries no personal name, so it can be shared. Read Authorised Signatory Meaning & Board Resolution Format.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Stamping over the signature so neither is readable — stamp first, sign second.
- Using an old stamp after a name change.
- Switching between Director and Authorised Signatory stamps on cheques from the same account.
- A stamp with the name abbreviated differently from the Certificate of Incorporation.
Need the full set? PVT. LTD. stamps · LLP stamps · OPC stamps
Frequently asked questions
Should the stamp be on the left or right of the signature?
Neither — the signature goes inside the stamp impression, between the Company Name line and the designation line.
Do I need to stamp every page of an agreement?
Only if the counterparty asks. Many agreements require initials on each page and a full signature with stamp on the execution page.
Can I sign a cheque without the Company stamp?
Banks may return Company cheques without the stamp if the mandate expects one. Follow the format your bank recorded at account opening.
Is a digital signature a substitute for a Rubber Stamp?
For online filings, yes — a DSC is used for MCA and GST portals. For paper documents, a wet signature with the stamp remains the norm.