# Waiver of Original Handwritten Signature Requirement Due to the COVID-19 Outbreak
> **US Patent and Trademark Office** · Waiver of regulations. · Published 2020-03-30 · 85 FR 17502
## Document
- **Document number:** 2020-06186
- **Category:** other
- **Sub-agency:** US Patent and Trademark Office
- **Federal Register citation:** 85 FR 17502
- **CFR reference:** 37 CFR 1
- **Publication date:** 2020-03-30
- **Commerce docket:** Docket No.: PTO-P-2020-0018
## Abstract

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) considers the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak to be an extraordinary situation. Therefore, pursuant to the Office's authority, the USPTO is waiving its only regulatory requirements for an original handwritten signature personally signed in permanent dark ink or its equivalent for certain correspondence with the Office of Enrollment and Discipline and certain payments by credit card. In both instances, the Office will accept copies of handwritten signatures. The USPTO has no other requirements for original handwritten, ink signatures.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/30/2020-06186/waiver-of-original-handwritten-signature-requirement-due-to-the-covid-19-outbreak)
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