Document Forgery Under Article (251)
This legal awareness overview defines document forgery as the alteration of truth intended to cause harm and use the document as authentic, detailing the seven statutory methods through which forgery occurs under the law.
At a glance
The one-minute summary
- Document forgery is the alteration of truth through specific legal methods, intending to cause harm and use it as genuine.
- Altering an existing document by addition, deletion, or modifying text, numbers, marks, or images constitutes forgery.
- Affixing a forged signature or seal, or tampering with a genuine signature, seal, or fingerprint, is penalized as forgery.
- Procuring a signature or thumbprint through surprise or deceit without knowledge or consent constitutes forgery.
- Fabricating or counterfeiting a document and falsely attributing it to another party is classified as forgery.
- Completing a document signed, sealed, or thumbprinted in blank without the signatory's consent is an act of forgery.
- Impersonation within an identity document or falsifying facts during document preparation fulfills the crime of forgery.
Legal Definition of Document Forgery
Forgery of a document is defined as altering the truth therein through one of the legally specified methods, in a manner liable to cause harm, and with the intent to use it as a genuine document.
Methods of Forgery Under Article (251)
The legally recognized methods of document forgery include:
Introducing an alteration into an existing document, whether by addition, deletion, or changing the writing, numbers, marks, or images contained within or affixed to it.
Affixing a forged signature or seal, or altering a genuine signature, seal, or fingerprint.
Obtaining a person's signature, seal, or fingerprint through deceit or surprise, without their knowledge of the document's contents or without valid consent.
Fabricating or counterfeiting a document and falsely attributing it to another.
Filling in a document signed, sealed, or thumbprinted in blank without the approval of the owner of the signature, seal, or fingerprint.
Impersonating an identity or substituting it within a document prepared to establish personal identity.
Distorting the truth in a document at the time of its drafting regarding matters it was intended to prove.
Protect yourself, know your rights, and abide by the law.