It is important that any forms or documents submitted to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) meet their requirements. This includes forms and other documents that have been properly signed. Incorrectly signed filings can be rejected. Find out if your forms or documents meet the USCIS signature requirements.
What is the USCIS signature requirement?
USCIS requires a valid signature on applications, petitions, requests, and certain other documents. All filings must be personally signed by the requestor.
What happens if my filing doesn’t meet the USCIS signature requirement?
USCIS will reject and return any filing without a proper signature. You will not have an opportunity to correct an improper signature. Once rejected, you can resubmit your filing with a valid signature.
What does USCIS consider a valid signature?
According to USCIS, a valid signature consists of any handwritten mark or sign made by a person to signify the following:
- The person knows of the content of the request and any supporting documents;
- The person has reviewed and approved any information contained in such request and any supporting documents; and
- The person certifies under penalty of perjury that the request and any other supporting documents are true and correct.
A valid signature does not need to be legible or in English and can be abbreviated as long as this is consistent with how the person signing normally signs his or her name. A valid signature does not have to be in cursive handwriting. A person may use an “X” or a similar mark as his or her signature.
Does the signature need to be original and ink-signed?
USCIS will consider a signature as valid even if the original signature on the document is photocopied, scanned, faxed, or similarly reproduced. Regardless of how it is transmitted to USCIS, the copy must be of an original document containing an original handwritten signature, unless otherwise specified. The regulations do not require that the person signing submit an “original” or “wet ink” signature on a petition, application, or other requests to USCIS.
Will USCIS accept a typed, stamped, electronic signature?
USCIS will NOT accept signatures created by a typewriter, word processor, stamp, auto-pen, or similar device. For benefit requests filed electronically as permitted by form instructions, USCIS accepts signatures in an electronic format.
Before filing a petition or application with USCIS, make sure all submitted forms and documents meet the USICS signature requirements. This will save time, money, and the aggravation of a rejected or denied filing.
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