Federal immigration authorities are reporting a massive spike in application denials due to signature deficiencies, with new data showing a nearly 900% increase in rejections over the last five fiscal years.
Internal figures from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, published in a Federal Register notice Monday, reveal that signature-related denials rose from just 300 in fiscal year 2021 to 2,953 in fiscal year 2025. The five-year annual average for signature-related denials now stands at 1,192.
In the Federal Register notice, the agency noted that many requestors have been submitting benefit requests with invalid signatures. Specifically, USCIS has seen a rise in the “copy-pasting” or affixing of an image of a signature onto multiple requests. This contradicts agency policy, which allows photocopied, faxed, or scanned signatures only if they are derived from an original document containing a handwritten signature.
Under USCIS policy, a valid signature consists of any handwritten mark or sign made by a person to confirm that they are aware of the contents of the request and supporting documents, approve the information provided, and certify under penalty of perjury that the submission is true and correct. USCIS states that signatures do not need to be legible, written in English, or in cursive. Applicants may even use an “X” or similar mark if that is their normal signature practice.
The agency also clarified that it accepts original handwritten signatures that are later photocopied, scanned, faxed, or electronically reproduced, as long as the copy originates from an original handwritten signature. However, USCIS does not accept signatures created by a typewriter, word processor, stamp, auto-pen, or similar device unless specifically authorized by form instructions.
The USCIS Administrative Appeals Office has adjudicated 758 appeals involving requests denied because a signature was copied from another document. Officials warned that pasting a picture of a signature can be done by anyone, not necessarily the signatory. In one instance, a subordinate reportedly copied a signature from a blank sheet of paper onto at least 20 petitions for nonimmigrant workers. In another case, a consulting firm allegedly filed approximately 3,000 petitions using pasted signatures.
The agency’s current provisions mandate that all applications be properly completed with a valid signature, explicitly prohibiting stamped or typewritten names. Under federal regulations, any application missing a signature or containing an invalid signature is subject to immediate rejection.
USCIS emphasized that it does not provide applicants an opportunity to correct or “cure” a deficient signature once a filing is rejected. Instead, applicants must resubmit the entire request with a valid signature and meet all filing requirements again, including payment of applicable fees. Even if a request is initially accepted for adjudication, USCIS may later deny it if a deficient signature is discovered during formal review.
Agency noted that while a signature is a basic requirement, it remains a common pitfall. In general, immigration benefit requestors must personally sign their own applications. Attorneys, accredited representatives, preparers, and interpreters generally are not permitted to sign on behalf of applicants.
For applicants under 14 years of age, a parent may sign on their behalf, provided documentation such as a birth certificate or adoption decree is submitted to establish the parent-child relationship. Legal guardians may also sign for children under 14 or for mentally incompetent individuals, but they must provide official documentation proving their legal authority.
USCIS also recognizes durable powers of attorney in limited situations involving incapacitated adults. The agency said individuals signing under a durable power of attorney must demonstrate that the document is legally valid and in effect under applicable state law, often requiring supporting evidence such as a physician’s statement confirming the adult’s incapacity.
For corporations and other legal entities filing immigration petitions, USCIS said only authorized individuals may sign documents on behalf of the organization. These may include corporate executives, managing partners, in-house counsel, human resources officials, trustees, or other employees authorized to legally bind the entity.
The sharpest increase in denials occurred between 2023 and 2025, during which the number of rejections more than quadrupled. Immigration advocates suggest the surge may be linked to increased automation in document processing, which flags noncompliant signatures more efficiently than in previous years.
USCIS further clarified that while attorneys and accredited representatives may submit a Notice of Entry of Appearance using Form G-28, that form alone does not authorize them to sign immigration benefit requests on behalf of applicants or petitioning entities.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
