Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-3-403 (2026)
Unauthorized signature
✓ current as of May 2026
- (a) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter or chapter 4 of this title, an unauthorized signature is ineffective except as the signature of the unauthorized signer in favor of a person who in good faith pays the instrument or takes it for value. An unauthorized signature may be ratified for all purposes of this chapter.
- (b) If the signature of more than one person is required to constitute the authorized signature of an organization, the signature of the organization is unauthorized if one of the required signatures is lacking.
- (c) The civil or criminal liability of a person who makes an unauthorized signature is not affected by any provision of this chapter which makes the unauthorized signature effective for the purposes of this chapter.
Acts 1995, ch. 397, § 2.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1978–2022 · leading case: United Am. Bank of Memphis v. First Citizens Nat'l Bank of Dyersburg, 764 S.W.2d 555 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1988).
United Am. Bank of Memphis v. First Citizens Nat'l Bank of Dyersburg, 764 S.W.2d 555 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1988). “” constituted an endorsement on behalf of the corporation in his representative capacity as president solely, relying upon T.C.A., § 47-3-403, 4 and focusing upon T.”
Acme Metals, Inc. v. Weddington, 575 S.W.2d 15 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1978). “The Plaintiff insists the Defendant is liable as a matter of law under T.C.A. § 47-3-403 since he signed his own name on the notes without showing he signed in a representative capacity.”
Bill Walker & Assocs., Inc. v. Parrish, 770 S.W.2d 764 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1989). “See also Tenn.Code Ann. § 47-3-403(3) (1979). However, Mr.”
Billie Mclemore v. J.W. Powell & Raymond Nelson, 968 S.W.2d 799 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997). “(5) Whether the provisions of T.C.A. § 47-3-403 are applicable to the note in this case.”
United States v. George Skouteris, Jr., 51 F.4th 658 (6th Cir. 2022). “See Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-3-403 cmt. 3. In other words, ratification could perhaps be a viable defense by the settling tortfeasor sued by one of Skouteris’s former clients.”
Dominion Bank of Middle Tennessee v. Crane, 843 S.W.2d 14 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1992). “Patton signed the October 1981 note, each of his signatures is immediately preceded by either the partnership’s or the corporation’s name and is immediately followed by desig *19 nations of his capacity with each of these entities.”
State of Tennessee v. Christopher Shane Poole, 279 S.W.3d 602 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2008). “…of the unauthorized signer in favor of a person who in good faith pays the instrument or takes it for value.” T.C.A § 47-3-403(a) (2001).”
Joy Lamberson McNaughten v. Larry Lunan (Tenn. Ct. App. 2010). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-3-403 (3); Bill Walker & Associates v.”
State of Tennessee v. Christopher Shane Poole - Concurring (Tenn. Crim. App. 2008). “” T.C.A § 47-3-403(a) (2001). ___________________________________ JAMES CURWOOD WITT, JR.”
Alexander v. Armentrout, Jr. (Tenn. Ct. App. 1999). “1988), the use of the word “by” preceding a signature was held to be unambiguous: 4 The earlier version of this statute is T.C.A. § 47-3-403 (1979). 9 Where the principal is identified and shown on the face of the note as the maker and the word “by” precedes the signature of the…”
Gant Oil Co. v. Ace Oil Co., 884 S.W.2d 131 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1994). “” found at the beginning of Tenn Code Ann. § 47-3-403(2)(b), indicates that the law contemplates a different treatment of a dispute between the immediate parties on a note or draft than of one between the maker or drawer and a subsequent holder.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-3-403(2)(b) — 1 case
Gant Oil Co. v. Ace Oil Co., 884 S.W.2d 131 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1994). “” found at the beginning of Tenn Code Ann. § 47-3-403(2)(b), indicates that the law contemplates a different treatment of a dispute between the immediate parties on a note or draft than of one between the maker or drawer and a subsequent holder.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-3-403(3) — 2 cases
Bill Walker & Assocs., Inc. v. Parrish, 770 S.W.2d 764 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1989). “See also Tenn.Code Ann. § 47-3-403(3) (1979). However, Mr.”
United Am. Bank of Memphis v. First Citizens Nat'l Bank of Dyersburg, 764 S.W.2d 555 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1988). “” constituted an endorsement on behalf of the corporation in his representative capacity as president solely, relying upon T.C.A., § 47-3-403, 4 and focusing upon T.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-3-403(a) — 2 cases
State of Tennessee v. Christopher Shane Poole, 279 S.W.3d 602 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2008). “…of the unauthorized signer in favor of a person who in good faith pays the instrument or takes it for value.” T.C.A § 47-3-403(a) (2001).”
State of Tennessee v. Christopher Shane Poole - Concurring (Tenn. Crim. App. 2008). “” T.C.A § 47-3-403(a) (2001). ___________________________________ JAMES CURWOOD WITT, JR.”
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