IOUs are valid only with signatures and not fingerprints.

Even if the IOU is not fingerprinted, it is legally valid as long as it is signed by the borrower and the contract content is legal and valid. A contract can be concluded in writing and is established when the parties sign or seal it. If the borrower has fulfilled its main obligations, such as actually providing the loan, and the lender accepts the payment, the contract is valid even if there is no fingerprint on the IOU. The signature on the IOU is a key element to confirm the existence of the debt relationship, but the fingerprint is not necessary. In order to avoid possible subsequent disputes, stamping a fingerprint can be used as stronger evidence, but it is not the determining factor in the validity of the IOU.

The legal effect of the IOU:

1. Signature is effective: According to legal provisions, the signature on the IOU is sufficient to prove the existence of the debt relationship;

2. Fingerprints are not necessary: ??Although fingerprints can increase the credibility of the evidence, they are not a necessary condition for the IOU to be effective;

3. Proof of claims and debts: IOUs are mainly used to prove the facts and amounts of loans between creditors and debtors. ;

4. Documentary evidence: The IOU is one of the important written evidences for creditors to claim their rights;

5. Basis for repayment: For the debtor, the IOU is the basis for its repayment obligation. Clear basis.

In summary, even if the IOU is not stamped with a fingerprint, as long as it contains the borrower's signature and the contract content is legal, the IOU will still have legal effect, because the signature itself is the core evidence to confirm the debt relationship, and the fingerprint Although it can enhance the strength of the evidence, it is not a necessary condition for the validity of the IOU.

Legal basis:

"People's Republic of China and Civil Code"

Article 490

The parties adopt a contract If a contract is concluded in the form of a written document, the contract is established when both parties sign, seal or fingerprint it. Before signing, sealing or fingerprinting, one party has performed its main obligations and the contract is established when the other party accepts it. Laws and administrative regulations stipulate or the parties agree that a contract should be concluded in written form. If the parties do not use written form but one party has performed its main obligations and the other party accepts it, the contract is established.