When you see the status "Pending with Employer for Digital Signing" in your EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) claim or form submission, it means that your request has been received by your employer but is waiting for the employer to verify and digitally sign it before it can be processed by EPFO.

This is a mandatory step in the approval process when you're applying for:

  • EPF withdrawal (final settlement or partial withdrawal)

  • Pension withdrawal

  • Transfer of PF account from one employer to another (Form 13)

  • Any other EPF-related claim or request

Understanding the Digital Signing Process

EPFO uses Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) or e-Sign to authenticate and approve employee claims. Employers are required to use their registered digital signature to verify that the details provided by the employee are accurate and genuine.

Here’s how the process works:

  1. You submit a claim online through the EPFO Member Portal (Unified Member Portal).

  2. The request is forwarded to your employer.

  3. Employer logs into the EPFO employer portal, checks your claim details.

  4. Employer digitally signs the form using their registered DSC or e-Sign.

  5. Once signed, the claim is automatically forwarded to the EPFO office for further processing.

Until step 4 is completed, your claim will show the status:
"Pending with Employer for Digital Signing".

Why This Status Appears

The most common reasons for seeing this status include:

  • The employer has not yet reviewed the request.

  • The employer’s Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is not working or not registered.

  • Delay from HR or payroll department in processing online claims.

  • Technical issues on the employer's side or within the EPFO portal.

How Long Does It Take?

Ideally, the employer should sign the request within 2–5 working days, but it can vary based on:

  • Size of the organization

  • Internal processing time

  • Responsiveness of the HR/Finance team

  • Any issues with DSC validity or software compatibility

What Should You Do as an Employee?

If your claim is stuck in this status for more than a few days:

  1. Contact your HR or employer and request them to approve the request online.

  2. Remind them to log in to the EPFO employer portal and use the DSC/e-Sign to validate your application.

  3. Ask if there are any technical or documentation issues.

  4. If unresolved, escalate the matter to higher authorities within your company.

Final Thoughts

“Pending with Employer for Digital Signing” is a normal part of the EPF claim process, but timely action from the employer is critical for quick processing. Make sure to stay in touch with your employer to avoid unnecessary delays. Once the employer completes the digital signing, your claim will move to the next stage in the EPFO workflow, typically shown as “Under Process” or “Pending with Field Office”.