§  1.10011   Who may sign applications?

   (a) “Signed” in this section refers to electronically filed
   applications. An electronic application is “signed” when there is an
   electronic signature. An electronic signature is the typed name of the
   person “signing” the application, which is then electronically
   transmitted via IBFS.

   (b) For all electronically filed applications, you (or the signor) must
   actually sign a paper copy of the application, and keep the signed
   original in your files for future reference.

   (c) You only need to sign the original of applications, amendments, and
   related statements of fact.

   (d) Sign applications, amendments, and related statements of fact as
   follows (either electronically or manually):

   (1) By you, if you are an individual;

   (2) By one of the partners, if you are a partnership;

   (3) By an officer, director, or duly authorized employee, if you are a
   corporation; or

   (4) By a member who is an officer, if you are an unauthorized
   association.

   (e) If you file applications, amendments, and related statements of
   fact on behalf of eligible government entities, an elected or appointed
   official who may sign under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction
   must sign the document. Eligible government entities are:

   (1) States and territories of the United States,

   (2) Political subdivisions of these states and territories,

   (3) The District of Columbia, and

   (4) Units of local government.

   (f) If you are either physically disabled or absent from the United
   States, your attorney may sign applications, amendments and related
   statements of facts on your behalf.

   (1) Your attorney must explain why you are not signing the documents.

   (2) If your attorney states any matter based solely on his belief
   (rather than knowledge), your attorney must explain his reasons for
   believing that such statements are true.

   (g) It is unnecessary to sign applications, amendments, and related
   statements of fact under oath. However, willful false statements are
   punishable by a fine and imprisonment, 18 U.S.C. 1001, and by
   administrative sanctions.