(a) Signature of judicial officer. Documents requiring a judge's or commissioner's signature may be signed by an original signature, stamped signature, or an electronic graphic representation of a signature. When the signature appears on a docket sheet entry, the entry may be signed in the following manner: /s/ John or Jane Judge.
Rule 41.08.Signatures of Judicial Officers and Court Officials.
Rule 41: General · Last amended January 1, 2026 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule allows judges, commissioners, clerks, court reporters, and transcribers to sign required documents using an original signature, a stamped signature, an electronic graphic representation, or a typed “/s/” notation on docket entries.
Full Text of Rule 41.08
(b) Signature of clerk. Documents requiring a clerk’s signature may be signed by an original signature, stamped signature, an electronic graphic representation of a signature, or /s/ John or Jane Clerk.
(c) Signature of court reporter and transcriber. Documents requiring a court reporter’s or transcriber’s signature may be signed by an original signature, stamped signature, an electronic graphic representation of a signature, or /s/ John or Jane Person.
Amendment History
Adopted Jan. 27, 2011, eff. Sept. 1, 2011; amended March 4, 2025, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 41.08 modernizes how court officials sign documents. A document requiring a judge’s or commissioner’s signature can be signed with an original signature, a stamped signature, or an electronic graphic representation of a signature. When the signature appears on a docket sheet entry specifically, the rule allows an even simpler format: an entry signed “/s/ John or Jane Judge.”
The same flexibility extends to other court officials. A clerk’s signature can likewise be an original, a stamp, an electronic graphic representation, or a “/s/ John or Jane Clerk” notation. A court reporter’s or transcriber’s signature follows the identical pattern, using “/s/ John or Jane Person” in place of a handwritten signature where appropriate.
Practically, this rule means that a document is not defective just because a judge’s or clerk’s signature appears as a stamp, a scanned image, or a typed “/s/” line instead of ink on paper. That matters for electronically filed and electronically maintained court records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a judge’s signature on a court document be a stamp instead of ink?
Yes. Rule 41.08 allows an original signature, a stamped signature, or an electronic graphic representation of a signature for documents requiring a judge’s or commissioner’s signature.
What does a “/s/” signature on a docket entry mean?
It is a permitted way of showing a judicial officer’s signature on a docket sheet entry, written as “/s/” followed by the judge’s name.
Does this rule cover clerks as well as judges?
Yes. A clerk’s required signature can also be an original, stamped, electronic graphic, or “/s/” signature under the rule.
Are court reporters and transcribers covered too?
Yes. Documents requiring a court reporter’s or transcriber’s signature follow the same set of acceptable signature formats.
Does this rule apply to attorneys or party signatures on pleadings?
No. Rule 41.08 addresses signatures of judicial officers, clerks, court reporters, and transcribers, not signatures of attorneys or self-represented parties on their own filings.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Missouri State & Federal Court Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Missouri. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: electronic signature judge missouristamped signature court documents slash signature docket entryclerk signature requirementcourt reporter signature rule