A slash signature (S-signature) is a simple-to-implement electronic signature that you can use to sign documents submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office in lieu of a handwritten signature. The slash signature is your name inserted between forward slash marks. Your slash signature would be /[your name]/. That’s it. It’s so simple. The slash signature is preferred instead of a handwritten signature because it makes the process much simpler. You don’t need to print, sign, scan, or email back any document.
What USPTO rule allows for S-signatures?
Under 37 CFR 1.4(d), the USPTO has specified that “correspondence being filed in the Office … may be S-signature signed instead of being personally signed.”
When can an S-signature be used?
You can use an S-signature whenever corresponding with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
What are the examples of a proper S-signature?
If you aren’t a patent attorney, then the preferred slash signature is simply your name between two forward slashes.
Example: /John Smith/
If you are a patent attorney, then the following are preferred slash signatures:
Example 1: /John T. Smith, Reg. #999999/
Example 2: /John T. Smith/ Reg. #999999
Here is a pdf of other examples. I’d recommend keeping it simple and using the preferred method.