What types of signatures are accepted for international patent applications?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

The United States Receiving Office accepts two types of signatures for international patent applications, as outlined in MPEP 1820:

1. Handwritten signatures: “The United States Receiving Office will accept signatures meeting the requirements of 37 CFR 1.4(d)(1) with respect to handwritten signatures.”
2. S-signatures: “The United States Receiving Office will accept signatures meeting the requirements of 37 CFR 1.4(d)(2) with respect to S-signatures.”

For S-signatures, additional requirements apply:

“For S-signatures, the signer’s name must be presented in printed or typed form preferably immediately below or adjacent the S-signature, and must be reasonably specific enough so that the identity of the signer can be readily recognized. See MPEP § 502.02, subsection II.”