Signature authority (except for certifying signature) may be delegated in the departments. Documentation must be kept on file for all delegated signing authority.
Cost Center Delegation of Authority Memo:
https://www.uh.edu/office-of-finance/references/cost-center-manager-delegation-memo.doc
Research Delegation of Authority:
Principal investigators may delegate a person to sign on their behalf. The Uniform Guidance and A-21 requires that the PI or their designee sign all expenditure documents on the management of grant funds. The Office of Contracts and Grants provides to the PI and DBA a “Delegation of Authority” form with all Notices of Award. The Principal Investigator may use the Delegation of Authority form to officially give an employee(s) authorization to sign on their behalf. Alternately, the department may recreate another form of this document or the PI may use a memo to delegate.
Signature and Approval Guidelines:
Not Allowed
- Stamped signatures
- Adobe digital signatures and other digital signature software not authorized by Texas
- Signing someone else’s name
- Signing your name as a delegated authority when you have not been given that authority in writing
- Approving online documents by logging in as someone else
Allowed
- Handwritten signature with a pen*
- Handwritten signature with a signature capture device (like you sign when paying with a credit card)*
- Approving online documents by logging in as yourself
- Approving by email with the document being approved attached to the email, if allowed by MAPP
- Signing your name as a delegated authority when you have been given that authority in writing
*Note: When someone signs with a pen or signature capture device, their name should be printed or typed as well so that it is clear who is signing. This includes when someone signs as the delegated authority for someone else.