In addition to the documents referred to in IX, 3.1 above, certain documents forming part of the application must be signed. These documents include the request for grant, the designation of the inventor and, where applicable, the authorisation of a representative. In the case of electronic filing of a European patent application, a facsimile image of the signer's handwritten signature, an electronic signature or an enhanced electronic signature may be used to sign the afore-mentioned documents (Notice dated 29 October 2002, point 4, OJ 11/2002, 545).

With the exception of the authorisation of a representative, the documents may be signed by an appointed representative instead of the applicant.