WARNING: SOME COURTS DON'T ACCEPT ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES FROM PRO SE LITIGANTS!!
USFLND will reject the entire document if it's electronically signed.
(E) Signature Block for a Pro Se Party. A document filed by a pro se party must include a signature block with the party’s handwritten signature, typed or printed name, street address, email address if the party has one, and telephone number if the party has one. But the signature may be electronic if an administrative rule or court order allows the party to file the document electronically.• see this recent court order (below)
| ELIAS MAKERE, FSA, MAAA, Plaintiff v. HON. E. GARY EARLY, ALJ Defendants |
Case No. 4:21cv96-MW-MAF |
ORDER
Rule 11 requires that “[e]very pleading, written motion, and other paper must be signed by at least one attorney of record . . . or by a party personally if the party is unrepresented.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(s). “The court must strike an unsigned paper unless the omission is promptly corrected after being called to the attorney's or party's attention.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(a).
In this case, Plaintiff sought to affix an electronic signature to both the complaint, see ECF No. 1 at 6, 22, and the in forma pauperis motion, ECF No. 2 at 2. However, the local rules for this Court provide that documents filed by pro se parties must include “the party’s handwritten signature,” not an electronic signature. N.D. Fla. Loc. R. 5.1(E). Only attorneys are permitted to electronically file documents and do so with an electronic signature. N.D. Fla. Loc. R. 5.4(C).
Accordingly, to proceed with this case, Plaintiff must submit a complaint containing his handwritten signature. Furthermore, Plaintiff must either pay the filing fee for this case or submit an in forma pauperis motion which contains his handwritten signature. Moreover, Plaintiff’s prior motion, ECF No. 2, was not on the form used in this Court. Plaintiff will be provided the correct form and he shall have until March 22, 2021, to comply with this Order. No further action will be taken on this case until he does so.
Accordingly, it is
ORDERED:
2. Plaintiff shall have until March 22, 2021, to file an amended civil rights complaint, which contains his original signature, and an amended in forma pauperis motion on the form provided to him with this Order.
3. Failure to comply with this Court Order may result in a recommendation of dismissal of this action.
4. The Clerk of Court shall return this file upon receipt of Plaintiff’s compliance with this Order or no later than March 22, 2021.
| S/ Martin A. Fitzpatrick | |
| MARTIN A. FITZPATRICK UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE |
...POINTS & THINGS...
As always: please get the justice you deserve.
Sincerely,
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