A document that has been signed and to which a seal has been affixed. Under common law and by some statutes, that is recognized as convincing evidence that the obligation on the signer is binding. The Uniform Commercial Code holds that laws applying to sealed instruments are not valid with regard to the sale of goods or negotiable papers. See also contract. n. sealing of records The customary closing of criminal records of youthful offenders, mandated in some states by law, so that they can b...