USCIS Warns: Unsigned Immigration Forms Will Be Rejected

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a clear warning to applicants: unsigned immigration forms will be automatically rejected, potentially delaying case processing. “If you forget to sign your immigration form, we’ll reject it,” USCIS stated in a social media post.

To help applicants avoid this common error, USCIS encourages the use of online submissions. The digital filing system is designed to prevent submission if any required signature is missing. “Don’t let an unsigned form delay your case – file online, where the system won’t let you submit your form if it’s missing your signature,” USCIS advised.

USCIS requires a valid signature on applications, petitions, requests, and certain other documents filed with the agency. Unless specifically authorized otherwise, a benefit requestor must personally sign their own request before filing it with USCIS, as outlined in the USCIS Policy Manual.

“In order to maintain the integrity of the immigration benefit system and validate the identity of benefit requestors, USCIS rejects any benefit request with an improper signature and returns it to the requestor. USCIS does not provide an opportunity to correct (or cure) a deficient signature. However, the benefit requestor may resubmit the request with a valid signature. As long as all other filing requirements are met, including payment of the required fee, USCIS may accept the resubmitted benefit request,” clarifies the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the Signature Requirement.

According to the Policy Manual, if USCIS accepts a request for adjudication and later determines that it has a deficient signature, USCIS will deny the request. If additional information is needed to confirm that a person is authorized to sign on behalf of another person, corporation, or other legal entity, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) to confirm that such signature authority existed at the time the document was submitted.

USCIS states that a valid signature does not need to be legible or in English and may be abbreviated as long as it is consistent with how the person signing normally signs their name. A valid signature does not have to be in cursive handwriting; a person may use an “X” or similar mark as their signature. A signature is 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 request to USCIS,” further clarifies the USCIS Policy Manual.

The USCIS Policy Manual further explains, “When determining whether a signature is acceptable, officers should review any applicable regulations, form instructions, and policy to ensure that the signature on a particular benefit request is proper. USCIS does not accept signatures created by a typewriter, word processor, stamp, auto-pen, or similar device.”