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Referee MN1 form - can it be digitally signed

Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:05 pm
by kittycatkeeb
The UK is in a very strict lockdown and we're not supposed to meet people. I don't have a printer and there is nowhere that will be open where I could print my forms to have my referees physically sign them anyways. It seems insane that this would be required in 2021 and in a pandemic???

If I email the form to the my referees and they sign it with a proper signature using Adobe PDF is that ok? What difference does it make if I am going to upload it digitally to UKVCAS anyways?

Re: Referee MN1 form - can it be digitally signed

Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:25 pm
by CULLINAN
I second your thoughts but ideally the referee forms should have wet signatures. Ideally by posting them during the pandemic.

You should also keep hold of the originals till a decision is made. HO can ask for them at a later stage (very rare though).

You can always TRY and add a cover letter and explain the situation. HO may or may not accept the referee forms. In case not accepted, they will write to you to provide referee forms again which may cause delays.

Note: A printer can be bought and post offices are open so HO may not accept the reasons. Or you can simply wait till shops are open again.

Re: Referee MN1 form - can it be digitally signed

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 12:13 pm
by kittycatkeeb
CULLINAN wrote:
Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:25 pm
I second your thoughts but ideally the referee forms should have wet signatures. Ideally by posting them during the pandemic.

You should also keep hold of the originals till a decision is made. HO can ask for them at a later stage (very rare though).

You can always TRY and add a cover letter and explain the situation. HO may or may not accept the referee forms. In case not accepted, they will write to you to provide referee forms again which may cause delays.

Note: A printer can be bought and post offices are open so HO may not accept the reasons. Or you can simply wait till shops are open again.
Thank you Cullinan! Level-headed as always. I'll make it work. Thanks for the clarification!

Re: Referee MN1 form - can it be digitally signed

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 8:34 pm
by bobvana
I used digitally signed forms without a cover letter and it went well.

Re: Referee MN1 form - can it be digitally signed

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:54 am
by Lopand
One of my referees signed electronically without any issues (no cover letter needed).