Document vs. Instrument — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 21, 2024
Documents generally refer to written materials that record information, while instruments are legal documents that grant rights or delineate obligations.
Difference Between Document and Instrument
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Documents encompass a wide range of written or printed material including books, letters, reports, and articles, used primarily for recording, providing, or storing information. On the other hand, instruments are a subset of documents with a specific legal purpose, such as contracts, deeds, wills, or securities, that formally express certain rights, duties, or obligations.
While any piece of writing can be considered a document, not all documents qualify as instruments. Instruments are characterized by their legal validity and are often formally executed through signatures or seals, whereas many documents serve informational or communicative purposes without involving any legal consequences.
Documents are commonly used in everyday personal and professional communications, ranging from educational settings to business transactions. Conversely, instruments are typically utilized in formal legal contexts where the establishment of legal rights or obligations is necessary, such as in property transactions or in the drafting of official agreements.
The creation of documents can be as simple as writing a note or as complex as drafting a detailed report. On the other hand, creating legal instruments often requires specific legal knowledge, adherence to legal formats, and sometimes the involvement of legal professionals to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Documents often circulate freely in public or private spheres without restrictions, unless they contain sensitive or personal information. However, instruments, due to their legal nature, might be subject to specific disclosure rules and often need to be registered or notarized to achieve their intended legal effect.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Any written or printed material
A legal document with binding effect
Purpose
Information recording, provision, storage
Formalizing legal rights and obligations
Legal Significance
Usually none
High, often requires formal execution
Typical Use
Personal, educational, business communication
Legal transactions, official agreements
Creation Requirements
Varies by document type
Often requires legal knowledge and formalities
Compare with Definitions
Document
A record used to store information for reference or analysis.
The company keeps a digital document of all transactions.
Instrument
A binding legal agreement created as a formal document.
The lease instrument clearly outlines the tenant's and landlord's duties.
Document
A piece of written, printed, or electronic matter that provides information or evidence.
She printed the document containing the meeting agenda.
Instrument
A tool used in legal or formal contexts to effectuate a legal relationship.
The power of attorney is an instrument that authorizes one to act on another's behalf.
Document
Material on which thoughts, words, or images are recorded.
The historical document was preserved in the museum.
Instrument
A document that records legal rights or agreements.
The deed is an important instrument in real estate transactions.
Document
An official paper that provides information or proof of something.
He submitted the document needed for his travel visa.
Instrument
Any written document that defines the legal relationships between parties.
She drafted the instrument of partnership for the new business venture.
Document
A file created in word processors or similar software.
She shared the document with her team for feedback.
Instrument
A legal document formally executing a legal right, obligation, or act.
The contract, as an instrument, was signed by both parties.
Document
A document is a written, drawn, presented, or memorialized representation of thought, often the manifestation of non-fictional, as well as fictional, content. The word originates from the Latin Documentum, which denotes a "teaching" or "lesson": the verb doceō denotes "to teach".
Instrument
A tool or implement used to do or facilitate work, especially a small precision tool used by a professional
Sterilized the scalpel and other surgical instruments.
Document
A piece of written, printed, or electronic matter that provides information or evidence or that serves as an official record.
Instrument
A device for recording, measuring, or controlling, especially such a device functioning as part of a control system.
Document
Record (something) in written, photographic, or other form
The photographer spent years documenting the lives of miners
Instrument
(Music) A device designed to enable a person to make musical sounds, as by blowing into it, striking it, depressing the keys on a keyboard, or plucking, strumming, or running a bow over strings.
Document
A written or printed paper that bears the original, official, or legal form of something and can be used to furnish decisive evidence or information.
Instrument
A means by which something is done; an agency
"The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices / Make instruments to plague us" (Shakespeare).
Document
Something, such as a recording or a photograph, that can be used to furnish evidence or information.
Instrument
One used by another to accomplish a purpose; a dupe.
Document
A writing that contains information.
Instrument
A legal document, especially one that represents a right of payment or conveys an interest, such as a check, promissory note, deed, or will.
Document
(Computers) A piece of work created with an application, as with a word processor.
Instrument
To provide or equip with instruments.
Document
(Computers) A computer file that is not an executable file and contains data for use by applications.
Instrument
(Music) To compose or arrange for performance.
Document
Something, especially a material substance such as a coin bearing a revealing symbol or mark, that serves as proof or evidence.
Instrument
A device used to produce music.
The violinist was a master of her instrument.
Document
To furnish with a document or documents.
Instrument
A means or agency for achieving an effect.
Document
To methodically record the details of
"I had thought long and logically about ... how to document the patterns of dolphin behavior" (Diana Reiss).
Instrument
A measuring or displaying device.
The instrument detected an increase in radioactivity.
Document
To support (an assertion or claim, for example) with evidence or decisive information.
Instrument
A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.
The dentist set down his tray of instruments.
The scientist recorded the temperature with a thermometer but wished he had a more accurate instrument.
Document
To support (statements in a book, for example) with written references or citations; annotate.
Instrument
Ellipsis of flight instrument
Flight within clouds must be made by reference to your instruments.
Document
An original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of anything else, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information pertinent to such proof or support.
Instrument
(legal) A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will.
A bond indenture is the instrument that gives a bond its value.
Negotiable instruments are the foundation of the debt markets.
Document
Any material substance on which the information is represented by writing.
Instrument
(figuratively) A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.
Document
(computing) A file that contains text.
Instrument
(transitive) To apply measuring devices.
An instrumented test article
Document
(obsolete) That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.
Instrument
(transitive) To devise, conceive, cook up, plan.
Document
(obsolete) An example for instruction or warning.
Instrument
To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument.
A sonata instrumented for orchestra
Document
To record in documents.
He documented each step of the process as he did it, which was good when the investigation occurred.
Instrument
That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; a device; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments.
All the lofty instruments of war.
Document
To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information.
A ship should be documented according to the directions of law.
Instrument
A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a musical instrument.
Praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
But signs when songs and instruments he hears.
Document
That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.
Learners should not be too much crowded with a heap or multitude of documents or ideas at one time.
Instrument
A writing, as the means of giving formal expression to some act; a writing expressive of some act, contract, process, as a deed, contract, writ, etc.
Document
An original or official paper relied upon as the basis, proof, or support of anything else; - in its most extended sense, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information in the case; any material substance on which the thoughts of men are represented by any species of conventional mark or symbol.
Saint Luke . . . collected them from such documents and testimonies as he . . . judged to be authentic.
Instrument
One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent; as, their army was primarily an instrument of oppression.
Or useful serving man and instrument,To any sovereign state.
The bold are but the instruments of the wise.
Document
To teach; to school.
I am finely documented by my own daughter.
Instrument
To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra.
Document
To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information; as, a a ship should be documented according to the directions of law.
Instrument
To furnish or equip with instruments; to attach instruments to; as, the fighter planes were heavily instrumented; the patient was instrumented to monitor him remotely.
Document
Writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
Instrument
A device that requires skill for proper use
Document
Anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks
Instrument
The means whereby some act is accomplished;
My greed was the instrument of my destruction
Science has given us new tools to fight disease
Document
A written account of ownership or obligation
Instrument
A person used by another to gain an end
Document
(computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using 7-bit ASCII characters
Instrument
(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
Document
Record in detail;
The parents documented every step of their child's development
Instrument
The semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process
Document
Support or supply with references;
Can you document your claims?
Instrument
Any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds
Instrument
Equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling
Instrument
Write an instrumental score for
Instrument
Address a legal document to
Common Curiosities
Can any document become an instrument?
Only documents that fulfill legal criteria and formalities can be considered instruments.
How do I determine if a document is also an instrument?
Assess if the document has legal purposes like defining rights or obligations and requires formal execution.
Are all legal documents considered instruments?
Yes, legal documents designed to establish rights, duties, or obligations are considered instruments.
What is the main difference between a document and an instrument?
A document records information in any form, while an instrument is a document specifically intended to have legal effect.
What is a common example of an instrument in real estate?
Deeds are common instruments in real estate that convey ownership rights.
Do instruments always require a signature?
Typically, instruments need to be formally executed, often through signatures, to be legally binding.
Who can draft a legal instrument?
Legal professionals such as lawyers are typically qualified to draft instruments due to the need for legal accuracy.
Is a birth certificate a document or an instrument?
A birth certificate is a document providing proof of identity and not an instrument since it doesn't create legal obligations.
Why is notarization important for some instruments?
Notarization verifies the authenticity of an instrument, enhancing its legal enforceability.
Can electronic forms be considered documents or instruments?
Electronic forms can be both documents and, if they meet legal standards, instruments.
How do documents and instruments relate to digital media?
Both can exist in digital format, but instruments in digital form must meet specific legal criteria for validity.
Can a photograph be considered a document?
Yes, photographs can be documents if they record or provide information.
Is a will considered a document or an instrument?
A will is considered an instrument as it outlines the distribution of one's estate, a legal act.
What role do documents play in business?
Documents serve various roles, from recording transactions to communicating internally and externally.
What happens if an instrument is improperly executed?
It may be invalid or unenforceable in a legal context.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
