Accept signatures by mark or thumbprint if any one of the following a. Signature by X only X Mark or individuals (or group of individuals) witness the mark or thumbprint Thumbprint two persons who give their addresses a VA employee a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative an attorney an accredited agent a notary public, or a person having the authority to administer oaths for general purposes. For more information on References: signatures by mark or thumbprint, see , and X appointing a POA, see M21-1, Part I, 3.A.2. b. Signature by Accept signatures (or an mark as a signature) that a claimant makes by X Pencil pencil. c. Low Quality In the event a low quality scanned document is received, claims processors Scanned will interpret poor quality signatures as belonging to the proper claimant. Signatures Development for a duplicate signature is not appropriate when based Note: solely upon the scanning quality of the signature received on a document. d. Individuals Section 502, amended to authorize VA to accept Public Law (PL) 112-154, Authorized to an alternate signature on behalf of claimants or beneficiaries who Sign on Behalf of a Claimant are under age 18 lack the mental capacity to provide substantially accurate information needed to complete a form or to certify that the statements made on a form are true and complete, or are physically unable to sign a form. For more information on References: requirements for alternate signers, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.e, and actions to take upon receipt of a form or application with an alternate signature, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.f. e. requires an be at least one of the following alternate signer Requirements for an a court-appointed representative Alternate an individual responsible for the care of the claimant or beneficiary, Signer including a spouse or other relative
a. Signature by X Mark or Thumbprint Accept signatures by X mark or thumbprint only if any one of the following individuals (or group of individuals) witness the mark or thumbprint two persons who give their addresses a VA employee a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative an attorney an accredited agent a notary public, or a person having the authority to administer oaths for general purposes. References: For more information on signatures by X mark or thumbprint, see , and appointing a POA, see M21-1, Part I, 3.A.2. b. Signature by Pencil Accept signatures (or an X mark as a signature) that a claimant makes by pencil. c. Low Quality Scanned Signatures In the event a low quality scanned document is received, claims processors will interpret poor quality signatures as belonging to the proper claimant. Note: Development for a duplicate signature is not appropriate when based solely upon the scanning quality of the signature received on a document. d. Individuals Authorized to Sign on Behalf of a Claimant Public Law (PL) 112-154, Section 502, amended to authorize VA to accept an alternate signature on behalf of claimants or beneficiaries who are under age 18 lack the mental capacity to provide substantially accurate information needed to complete a form or to certify that the statements made on a form are true and complete, or are physically unable to sign a form. References: For more information on requirements for alternate signers, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.e, and actions to take upon receipt of a form or application with an alternate signature, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 1.C.2.f. e. Requirements for an Alternate Signer requires an alternate signer be at least one of the following a court-appointed representative an individual responsible for the care of the claimant or beneficiary, including a spouse or other relative
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