DHS amends regulations to allow signatures in electronic format on applications and petitions filed on-line

In an April 29, 2003 rule notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took the first step in preparing the regulations for electronic filing of applications or petitions for immigration benefits. The legal effect of the April 29 rule is to amend 8 CFR 103.2(a)(2) to permit the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) to accept applications or petitions that are signed either in handwritten format (in the case of paper filing) or in electronic format (in the case of electronic filing). The supplementary information that precedes the rule gives information on how BCIS plans to proceed with its electronic filing initiative. [68 Fed. Reg. 23010 (April 29, 2003)] AMDOC#: 200304010