---
title: "Delegation chain: definition | KYA glossary"
url: https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/delegation-chain
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
license: © Innopulse Consulting GmbH
---

# Delegation chain

A delegation chain is the sequence of signed transfers through which an authority passes from the [principal](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/principal) via intermediate steps to the acting agent.

Every hop must be signed by the previous link, connect to the next and may only narrow the scope, never widen it. A hop that allows more than its predecessor makes the chain invalid. If there is no chain, the principal mandated directly.

## Example

A company grants its main agent a mandate up to CHF 1,000; that agent delegates CHF 200 for travel to a specialist agent. The chain shows every step and that no level allows more than the one before.

## How it differs

A single mandate links principal and agent directly. A delegation chain links several agents through intermediate steps. Sub-delegation in law follows the same idea.

## In practice

- Allow delegation only when it is really necessary, and limit the depth of the chain explicitly in the original mandate.
- Make sure every level narrows amount, action types and validity further. A level that allows more than the previous one makes the chain invalid.
- Record which agent delegated to whom. In a dispute, every level must be attributable to a responsible operator.

## Role in KYA

KYA verifies every level of the chain: signatures, binding to the next key and that authority only narrows further down.

Related check: [Delegation chain](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/method/checks) (`delegation_provenance`). Is every hop signed, connected without gaps and no broader than the previous one?

[Verify now: open a matching example](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/verify?beispiel=paket)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a delegation chain?

A sequence of grants in which an agent passes part of its authority on to another agent, provable step by step.

### May an agent delegate more than it may do itself?

No. Each level may pass on at most the authority of the one before; an expansion makes the chain invalid.

### How long may a delegation chain be?

The issuer or the [verifying party](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/verifying-party) decides. Shorter chains are easier to verify and harder to abuse.

### Who is liable in a delegation chain?

That depends on the contract and the applicable law. Technically, the chain shows who gave which authority to whom. General information, not legal advice.

### Can a delegation be revoked?

Yes. Each level can reference its own [status list](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/status-list); if one level is revoked, all following levels lose their basis as well.

### Does KYA verify deep delegation chains?

Yes. KYA verifies every level individually and reports the first one where signature, binding or narrowing does not hold. The length of the chain is no obstacle, as long as every level is fully present.

## Sources

- [KYA verification profile](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/standard/verification-profile)

## Related terms

- [Principal](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/principal)
- [Agent mandate](https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/agent-mandate)

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Quelle: https://knowyouragent.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/delegation-chain · KYA – Know Your Agent