3d Cir. L.A.R. Misc. 113.9

(a) The user log-in and password required to submit documents to the electronic filing

system serve as the Filing User’s signature on all electronic documents filed with the court.

They also serve as a signature for purposes of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, the local

rules of court, and any other purpose for which a signature is required in connection with

proceedings before the court.

(b) The name of the Filing User under whose log-in and password the document is

submitted must be preceded by an “s/” and typed in the space where the signature would

otherwise appear. Alternatively, an electronic signature may be used.

(c) No Filing User or other person may knowingly permit or cause to permit a Filing

User’s log-in and password to be used by anyone other than an authorized agent of the Filing

User. Documents requiring signatures of more than one party must be electronically filed either

by:

(1) submitting a scanned document containing all necessary signatures;

(2) submitting a statement representing the consent of the other parties on the

document;

(3) identifying on the document the parties whose signatures are required and

submitting a notice of endorsement by the other parties no later than three business days after

filing; or

(4) in any other manner approved by the court. Electronically represented

signatures of all parties and Filing Users as described above are presumed to be valid signatures.

If any party, counsel of record, or Filing User objects to the representation of his or her signature

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on an electronic document as described above, he or she must, within 10 days, file a notice

setting forth the basis of the objection.

Source: Model Local Rules

Cross References: L.A.R. 28 and 46

Comments: An electronic signature or the “s/” preceding a typed name

indicates that the electronically filed document was endorsed by

that party or Filing User. This Rule does not require a Filing User

to personally file his or her own documents. The task of electronic

filing may be delegated to an authorized agent, who may use the

log-in and password to make the filing. Use of the log-in and

password to make the filing constitutes a signature by the Filing

User under the Rule, even though the Filing User does not perform

the physical act of filing. Issues arise when documents being

electronically filed have been signed by persons other than the

filer, e.g., stipulations and affidavits. For documents signed by

individuals without logins and passwords (non-Filing Users), the

Rule provides that the signature must appear as “s/” or as a

scanned image. Under L.A.R. Misc. 113.8 above, the Filing User

must retain a paper copy with the original signature of any such

document filed by the Filing User.