Rule 8 Signatures

Registered Filer. Every document requiring a signature must be electronically signed and must include the filer’s name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, and Bar number as provided in other applicable rules. Victims and Protected Persons. Victims and protected persons may omit mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses from their signature block when necessary for their protection. Forms of Electronic Signature. A document may be signed electronically by: inserting a digital image of the signatory’s handwritten signature into the document; scanning an individual’s handwritten signature after the document has been signed; or using a signature block that has the notation “/s/” before the name of the person who electronically signed in the space where that individual’s signature would otherwise appear. Conventional Signatures. If a document contains a conventional signature, including a verification or acknowledgment performed by a notary public or one or more witness signatures, the filer shall scan the document, cause optical character recognition to be performed on the document, and retain a copy of the conventionally signed document until the time for appeal expires. Effect of Multiple Signatures. A registered filer who e-files a document that contains two or more signatures is deemed to have represented to the court that the document was approved for filing by every person who signed the document and that all signatories consented to have their signatures appear on the document. Signatures Presumed Valid. A signature on an e-filed document is presumed valid or authentic unless disproven by clear and convincing evidence. Disputing Authenticity or Validity of Signatures. A person who wants to dispute the authenticity or validity of any signature on any document e-filed in the E-system shall file all objections no later than 30 days after the objecting person knew or should have known that the disputed signature was not authentic or valid.