2309.10 (A) Actual Signatures
The signature that appears on the document should be the actual signature of an individual person and the signature should contain that individual’s own name.
If an individual executed the document on behalf of another person or organization, the signature should contain that individual’s own name as well as the name of the party that he or she represents (e.g., “Robert Penn on behalf of Cursive Enterprises, LLC”).
The following are representative examples of signatures that satisfy these requirements:
• A handwritten signature.
• A hand-printed signature.
A handwritten or hand-printed signature does not need to be legible. A signature does not need to include the full name of the individual that signed the document, provided that his or her name is sufficiently identified elsewhere in the document. Likewise, the Office may accept a signature consisting of an individual’s mark if it is accompanied by another individual’s signature attesting to the authenticity of that mark.
The following are representative examples of signatures that may be questioned:
• A printed signature.
• A typewritten signature.
• A rubber-stamped signature.
• A signature consisting of initials or a monogram.
• A photocopy, facsimile, or other reproduction of a signature that is not accompanied by a sworn certification or an official certification concerning the authenticity of the signed document.