PHOTOCOPY OF BANK PASSBOOK NOT ATTESTED BY THE AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
Where it appears: The rejection remark on a Form 19, 31 or 10C claim, under Track Claim Status and in the rejection SMS.
Also reported as "Photo copy of bank passbook not authorised signatory", often next to a second reason.
Written by Shobhit Kesarwani · Updated
- What it means
- A passbook image was uploaded without the bank's stamp and an officer's signature, which the office then required.
- The fix
- Refile with a bank-attested passbook page, or with a cheque that has your name printed on it.
- Get help when
- The bank won't attest, or the claim is rejected again with an attested page.
I never ask for your OTP, UAN password or bank login.
What it means
Before April 2025, a member who uploaded a passbook page instead of a cheque was expected to have it attested by the bank: branch stamp plus an officer's signature. Without that, offices returned the claim with this remark.
Is this still happening? Much less. EPFO stopped requiring a cheque or passbook image for online claims from April 2025, because the bank account is already verified when it is seeded against your UAN (Ministry of Labour release). Most reports of this remark are from 2021 to 2024. If you see it on a claim today, the fix below still works.
Why it happens
- The passbook photo had no bank stamp or signature.
- The page uploaded wasn't the one with your name, account number and IFSC.
- The image was unreadable.
What you can do yourself (free, on the EPFO portal)
Everything in this list is done on EPFO's own portal or with your employer, and none of it needs a paid agent. I never ask for your OTP, UAN password or bank login, and nobody else should either.
- Check that your bank account shows as verified under Manage → KYC.
- If a bank document is still asked for, either upload a cheque with your name printed (it needs no attestation), or get the passbook's first page stamped and signed at your branch.
- Refile the claim with the new image.
- If nothing moves, file a grievance on EPFiGMS. It is EPFO's own grievance portal and it costs nothing. Quote your UAN and the exact message, and keep the grievance number.
When it needs help
- Your branch refuses to attest.
- It comes back again with the same remark.
- The bank account on your UAN isn't the one you're using.
Which guide covers it
The fix route for this message is in Bank account or IFSC mismatch.
Bank account or IFSC mismatch
If the bank KYC itself needs correcting.
Read the guide →PF claim rejected
The full route for every rejection reason.
Read the guide →Who this page doesn't help
If the remark is about your name not being printed on the cheque, see that page.
Sources
Official EPFO and government pages:
- Ministry of Labour & Employment (PIB): EPFO dispenses with uploading the cheque leaf or attested passbook for online claims
- EPFO Member e-Sewa: Online Services → Track Claim Status
- EPFiGMS, EPFO's grievance portal
Where the exact wording comes from: several members' independent reports of the message, which agree on the text.
- HR Cabin: members quoting their rejection remarks (how to resubmit a rejected PF claim)
- BeMoneyAware: EPF claim rejection reasons, with members' rejection remarks in the comments
- YouTube: "PF Claim Rejected New Reason || PHOTOCOPY OF BANK PASSBOOK NOT ATTESTED BY THE AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY"
- CA Club India: "PF withdrawal rejected" (passbook not attested)
- CiteHR: claim rejected, passbook not attested
EPFO can change the wording on its portal without notice. If what you see differs, paste it into the issue checker.
Prefer a form? Send me the details
Paste the exact message and tell me what you were doing when it appeared. I read every message myself and reply within 24 hours. It costs nothing to send a message.
Questions people ask about this message
Who can attest the passbook?
Your bank branch: a branch stamp and an officer's signature on the page with your name, account number and IFSC.
Is attestation still needed?
For most online claims, no. EPFO dropped the cheque and passbook image requirement from April 2025.
Other EPFO messages, explained
See all error messages → · Paste your own error into the checker →
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I never ask for your OTP, UAN password or bank login.
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