USCIS Clarifies Signature Requirements for Benefit Request Submissions
Published Jul 10, 2026
On July 10, 2026, USCIS issued policy guidance clarifying signature requirements that apply when submitting immigration benefit requests. The update affects the Policy Manual chapters on signatures and filing instructions.
Key points
- USCIS issued a policy alert clarifying signature requirements for benefit requests.
- The guidance affects 1 USCIS-PM B.2, Chapter 2 on Signatures.
- It also affects 7 USCIS-PM A.3, Chapter 3 on Filing Instructions.
- The specific content of the new signature requirements is not detailed in the source.
- No effective date is stated in the source.
Who is affected
Anyone filing immigration benefit requests with USCIS, including applicants, petitioners and their representatives.
What to do
Review the updated Policy Manual chapters directly before submitting benefit requests.
Full text
The complete official text was archived on this site on 2026-10-12. It stays available here even if the source link changes or is removed.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services www.uscis.gov U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office of the Director Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009 July 10, 2026 PA-2026-03 Policy Alert SUBJECT: Signature Requirements for the Submission of Benefit Requests Purpose U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the signature requirements that apply when submitting immigration benefit requests.
Background USCIS requires a valid signature on benefit requests and certain other documents filed with USCIS. Except as otherwise specifically authorized, a benefit requestor must personally sign the request before filing it with USCIS. The lack of a valid signature on benefit requests and documents causes inefficient processing and strains resources. Providing clear guidance on signature requirements is necessary to prevent fraud and maintain USCIS’ commitment to benefit integrity. This guidance, contained in Volume 1 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately and applies prospectively to requests filed on or after the publication date. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior guidance.
Policy Highlights
Clarifies what USCIS considers acceptable and unacceptable signatures for purposes of properly filing an immigration benefit request.
Provides that, if USCIS accepts a benefit request for adjudication and determines later that it was not submitted with a valid signature, USCIS may reject or deny the request.1 1 See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A)(2). DHS published an interim final rule on May 11, 2026, to clarify USCIS procedures relating to the rejection or denial of benefit requests that do not meet regulatory requirements to ensure better enforcement of signature requirements. See 91 FR 25479 (May 11, 2026).
PA-2026-03: Signature Requirements for the Submission of Benefit Requests Page: 2
Clarifies that USCIS only accepts signatures captured electronically where such signatures are provided through a USCIS online account when prompted during online filing, as permitted by regulations or form instructions.2
Explains that valid signatures include original signatures on requests that are photocopied, scanned, faxed, or similarly reproduced.
Explains that an image of a handwritten signature that is subsequently and separately affixed to the benefit request by either physical or electronic methods is not a valid signature.
Reiterates that, where a reproduction of an original signature is submitted, USCIS may request documents containing the original signature at any time.3
Clarifies that signature requirements for purposes of affidavits and other supporting documents are addressed in the respective benefit request regulations or form instructions. S ummary of Changes Affected Section: Volume 1 > Part B > Chapter 2, Signatures
Revises Section A (Signature Requirement) throughout.
Revises the second paragraph and table in Section B (Valid Signature).
Adds new footnote in Section C (Who May Sign) and other technical edits throughout. Affected Section: Volume 7 > Part A > Chapter 3, Filing Instructions
Revises first paragraph and bulleted list in Section B (Definition of Properly Filed).
Deletes table entitled, “Acceptable and Unacceptable Signatures” in Section B, Subsection 2 (Signature Requirements).
Adds two footnotes to the first paragraph of Section C (Concurrent Filings). USCIS may also make other minor technical, stylistic, and conforming changes consistent with this update.
Citation Volume 1: General Policies and Procedures, Part B, Submission of Benefit Requests, Chapter 2, Signatures [1 USCIS-PM B.2].
2 Alternative signature methods using electronic means may be acceptable when the document is signed in the presence of a government official. For example, USCIS permits Form I-590 to be signed with an electronic signature at an interview.
3 See 8 CFR 103.2(b)(5).
PA-2026-03: Signature Requirements for the Submission of Benefit Requests Page: 3 Volume 7: Adjustment of Status, Part A, Adjustment of Status Policies and Procedures, Chapter 3, Filing Instructions [7 USCIS-PM A.3].
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This summary was produced with AI from the official announcement. Only the official source is authoritative.