What happens if an amendment is unsigned or improperly signed?

According to MPEP 714.01(a), an unsigned or improperly signed amendment will not be entered into the application. The MPEP states:

An unsigned amendment or one not properly signed by a person having authority to prosecute the application is not entered.

If an unsigned or improperly signed amendment is received, the examiner will:

• List the amendment in the contents of the application file, but not enter it
• Notify the applicant of the status of the application
• Advise the applicant to furnish a duplicate amendment properly signed or to ratify the amendment already filed

In applications not under final rejection, applicants are typically given a two-month time period to ratify the previously filed amendment under 37 CFR 1.135(c).

To learn more:

• unsigned amendments
• improperly signed amendments
• ratification of amendments

To learn more:

• patent application
• USPTO procedure