How to sign “Approved” in ASL
The BSL sign for “Approved” isn't in our dictionary yet — it will be fingerspelled in BSL mode, never replaced with this ASL sign.
Step by step
- Make an A handshape with your dominant hand, thumb pressed against the fist.
- Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of your chest, palm facing upward.
- As your dominant hand drops toward the flat palm, open it into a P handshape.
- Slap the P hand firmly down into the open palm in one clean motion.
- Finish with your dominant palm facing down into the flat base hand.
- Nod slightly as you sign to show the stamp of agreement.
Practice tip
The A-to-P handshape change slapped into the palm reads like a rubber stamp of approval.
Fingerspell “Approved”
Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.
Text-based guide researched from established ASL references (Lifeprint, university and public-health materials) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade.