Is the Approved ATF Form 4 that you Receive in the Mail an Original?

We were recently asked if, "the approved ATF Form 4 that you receive in the mail an original copy?"  This is a great question.  When you apply for a tax stamp using the ATF Form 4, you are required to send the ATF the "ATF Copy" and the "ATF Copy 2 - To Be Returned to Registrant" copies of your ATF Form 4.  After your tax stamp is approved by the ATF, the ATF will make back the "ATF Copy 2 - To Be Returned to Registrant" to you or your local gun store, depending on the transfer.  The "ATF Copy 2 - To Be Returned to Registrant" copy that is returned to you is an original copy of your ATF Form 4.  The stamp that is on the approved ATF Form 4 is an original and the signature is either a rubber stamp signature or an original signature from the ATF examiner.  You as the individual, settlor or entity owner will also see your original signature on the approved ATF Form 4.  The ATF Form 1 and ATF Form 5 approved applications that are returned to you are also original copies of the paperwork.  The only case where you aren't receiving an original copy of your approved ATF paperwork back from the ATF is if you applied using the ATF eForm 1 application or using the ATF eForm 4 application (not available as of writing this article, but is in the works by the ATF).  In those two cases, you will receive your approved tax stamp in your email as an .PDF attachment.  You will then print your approved tax stamp for your records.  The stamp that is on the approved eForm 1 / eForm 4 (when available) is an image that is placed where the stamp would go on the paper application.  Your signature as the individual, settlor, or legal entity owner is not present and simply says, "Digitally Signed".  Lastly, the ATF examiners signature is a digital signature that is placed within the approved box.