DEA-253 CSOS Power Of Attorney Certificate Application

Instructions for completing DEA Form 253
CSOS Power of Attorney Certificate Application
Introduction:
Form DEA-253 is for individuals requesting a CSOS Signing Certificate for electronic ordering
of controlled substances. The POA Applicant must have been granted Power of Attorney to sign
controlled substance orders by the DEA Registrant for the DEA Registration(s) identified. The
Principal Coordinator/Alternate Coordinator must verify the identity and applicability of the
POA applicant in accordance with the DEA Registrant Agreement.
Completing the application:
The information must be TYPED electronically into the PDF form on-line with the exception
of signatures, affirmations and the notary acknowledgement sections, which must be completed
in blue or black ink. All fields must be completed.
Either the Principal or Alternate Coordinator for the associated DEA Registration Number(s)
must authorize the POA Applicant in Section 3.
The POA Applicant should review the CSOS Power of Attorney Certificate Application
Checklist to ensure all required documents are included with his/her application prior to mailing
the application package to the CSOS Registration Authority.
The CSOS Coordinator must mail the completed application and attachments to:
Drug Enforcement Administration
Sterling Park Technology Center / CSOS
8701 Morrissette Drive
Springfield, VA 22152
What the applicant will receive:
CSOS POA Applicants will receive one CSOS Signing Certificate for each DEA Registration
number enrolled.
A pair of activation notices will be issued for each certificate:
• An E-mail activation notice will be sent for each certificate, which will contain an Access
Code unique to that certificate. This E-mail is sent to the POA Applicant.
• A postal mailed activation notice will be sent for each certificate, which will contain an
Access Code Password unique to that certificate as well as information for logging in to
DEA’s secure certificate retrieval Web site. This postal mailed document is sent to the
POA Applicant’s Coordinator.
The codes must be entered on the DEA E-Commerce Web site in order to retrieve the digital
certificate.

Please contact DEA Diversion E-Commerce Support for enrollment assistance.
Phone: 1-877-DEA-ECOM (1-877-332-3266)
E-mail: CSOSsupport@deaecom.gov

Instructions for completing DEA Form 253
CSOS Power of Attorney Certificate Application
Section 1 – Applicant Information
Field Name
Applicant Last Name
Applicant First Name
MI
Applicant Social
Security Number
Applicant Bus. Phone

Applicant E-Mail
Address
DEA Registration No.

DEA Registrant Name

Security Code
No. of Addendums

Information Description
Enter the last name of the applicant.
Enter the first name of the applicant.
Enter the middle initial of the applicant. Enter ‘X’ if the applicant
does not have a middle initial.
Enter the Social Security Number of the applicant. This information
will be kept private and used for internal purposes as stated in the
Privacy Policy.
Enter the business phone number for the applicant. This phone
number will be kept private and will be used only when necessary for
correspondence concerning your CSOS application or CSOS
Certificate(s).
Enter the individual E-mail address for the applicant, which must not
be the same E-mail address as any other applicant. This E-mail
address will be kept private and will be used for correspondence
concerning your CSOS application or CSOS Certificate(s).
Enter the DEA Registration Number for which the applicant is
requesting electronic ordering ability and, if indicated, Principal
Coordinator status. The number entered on the application MUST
appear as it does on the associated DEA Registration Certificate.
Inconsistency between the application and the registration certificate
will result in approval delays or denial.
Enter the name of the DEA Registered location as it appears on the
DEA Registration Certificate (Form 223). Inconsistency between the
application and Registration Certificate will result in approval delays
or denial.
Enter a security code for the applicant. This information will be kept
private and used for authentication purposes. Use letters only. Do not
include any numbers.
Enter the number of CSOS Certificate Application Registrant List
Addendums (DEA Form 254) submitted. Enter ‘0’ if no addendum
forms are attached. DEA Registrant List Addendums allow
applicants to enroll for Certificates for additional DEA Registration
numbers.

Please contact DEA Diversion E-Commerce Support for enrollment assistance.
Phone: 1-877-DEA-ECOM (1-877-332-3266)
E-mail: CSOSsupport@deaecom.gov

Instructions for completing DEA Form 253
CSOS Power of Attorney Certificate Application
Section 2 – Applicant Signature
Field Name
Applicant
Signature, Date

Information Description
The applicant must sign and date the application using blue or black
ink in the presence of a certified notary public. The party signing
this application must be the same party listed in Section 1 –
Applicant Information (First Name/Last Name/MI).

Section 3 – CSOS Coordinator Affirmation of Applicant Identity Verification
Field Name
CSOS Coordinator
Signature

Last Name (Print)
First Name (Print)

Information Description
Signature of the Principal Coordinator or Alternate Coordinator
responsible for the DEA Registration(s) identified, or the DEA
Registrant if the Registrant is serving the role of Principal
Coordinator. By signing this block, the Principal Coordinator /
Alternate Coordinator attests to verifying the identity and
applicability of the applicant identified in Section 1, in accordance
with the DEA Registrant Agreement.
Printed last name of the Principal Coordinator / Alternate
Coordinator.
Printed first name of the Principal Coordinator / Alternate
Coordinator.

Warning: When the applicant signs the application, he/she is stating that he/she has read,
understood, and agreed to abide by the rules and regulations contained in the Controlled
Substance Ordering System Subscriber Agreement and Certificate Policy. He/she is certifying
that the information, statements and representations provided by him/her on the application are
true and accurate to the best of his/her knowledge. He/She understands that presenting false
information is a criminal offense and is punishable by law. Section 843(a)(4)(A) of Title 21,
United States Code, states that any person who knowingly or intentionally furnishes false or
fraudulent information in the application is subject to imprisonment for not more than four years,
a fine of not more than $30,000.00 or both.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no person is required to respond to a collection
of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for the
collection of this information is 1117-0038. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 1.5 hours, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

Please contact DEA Diversion E-Commerce Support for enrollment assistance.
Phone: 1-877-DEA-ECOM (1-877-332-3266)
E-mail: CSOSsupport@deaecom.gov

Approved OMB
NO.1117-0038

Form DEA-253 (Expires: July 31, 2022)

CSOS Power Of Attorney Certificate Application
This application is for individuals who hold valid Power of Attorney to obtain and sign Schedules I and/or II controlled substance orders for the DEA
Registrant(s) identified. Prior to submitting this application either a CSOS DEA Registrant Certificate Application (form DEA-251) or the CSOS Principal
Coordinator\ Alternate Coordinator Certificate Application (form DEA-252) must have been submitted for the DEA Registrant(s) identified. Read instructions
before completing. ALL FIELDS ARE REQUIRED.

Section 1 – Applicant Information
Applicant Last Name

Applicant First Name

MI

Applicant SSN Number

Applicant Bus. Phone

Applicant E-Mail Address

DEA Registration No.

DEA Registrant Name

Security Code (e.g. Mother’s Maiden Name) Letters only. Remember this code to ensure proper identification when you call the Support Desk. No. of Addendums

Section 2 – Applicant Signature
By signing this document, I am stating that I have read, understand and agree to abide by the rules and regulations contained in the Controlled Substance Ordering
System Subscriber Agreement. I am also certifying that the information, statements, and representations provided by me on this form are true and accurate to the
best of my knowledge. I understand presenting false information is a criminal offense and is punishable by law.
Section 843(a)(4)(A) of Title 21, United States Code, states that any person who knowingly or intentionally furnishes false or fraudulent information in
the application is subject to imprisonment for not more than four years, a fine of not more than $30,000.00 or both.

Applicant Signature _______________________________________________________________Date __________
Note: This application will be denied and returned if not signed and dated by the Power of Attorney Applicant listed in Section 1.

Section 3 – CSOS Coordinator Affirmation of Applicant Identity Verification
As CSOS Principal Coordinator or CSOS Alternate Coordinator for the DEA Registrant(s) identified, I hereby affirm that I have verified the
identity and authorization of the applicant in accordance with the DEA Registrant Agreement.

CSOS Coordinator Signature _________________________________________Date__________
Last Name (Print)

First Name (Print)

Note: This application will be denied and returned if not signed and dated by an authorized CSOS Coordinator for the requested DEA Registration(s).

Instructions for completing DEA Form 253
CSOS Power of Attorney Certificate Application Checklist
Use the following checklist to ensure that your enrollment package is complete. Incomplete
applications will be returned if the requested missing items are not supplied within 90 days.
All DEA Registration numbers listed are valid for ordering Schedule I and/or II
substances.
The Power of Attorney applicant has read, understood, and agreed to the CSOS
Subscriber Agreement and the CSOS Privacy Policy.
The Power of Attorney applicant must have his/her authorized CSOS Coordinator mail all of the
following documents to the CSOS Registration Authority
Form DEA-253 – the original, completed, signed, and authorized CSOS Power of
Attorney Certificate Application
All fields have been completed – there are no optional fields
The Power of Attorney Applicant’s E-mail address is a personal account, not
shared with any other individual applicant
An authorized CSOS Coordinator for the DEA Registration numbers listed on
form DEA 253 and, if applicable, DEA 254 has signed Section 3, authorizing the
Power of Attorney Applicant to enroll
The application has been signed by the POA applicant; unsigned applications will
be denied and returned
Power of Attorney Letter – a photocopy of the letter from the Registrant granting Power
of Attorney to the Applicant for each DEA Registration number identified on form DEA
252 and 254 (if applicable). This letter granting POA is not the same document as form
DEA 253.
Power of Attorney Applicant Identifications – photocopies of two clearly readable
forms of ID. One form of ID must be a Government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s
license or passport; the second form of ID does not require a photo and can be anything
except for a credit card.
Addendums (Form DEA-254) – only required if the Power of Attorney applicant is to
sign electronic orders for controlled substances for more than one location. Each
additional location must be indicated on the CSOS Certificate Registrant List Addendum
(Form DEA- 254). One CSOS Signing Certificate will be issued to the Applicant for each
DEA registration number. Please contact DEA E-Commerce Support if enrolling for
more than 50 DEA Registrations.
Please contact DEA Diversion E-Commerce Support for enrollment assistance.
Phone: 1-877-DEA-ECOM (1-877-332-3266)
E-mail: CSOSsupport@deaecom.gov

Instructions for completing DEA Form 253
CSOS DEA Registrant Certificate Application Checklist
For all carriers, mail the complete application package to:
Drug Enforcement Administration
Sterling Park Technology Center / CSOS
8701 Morrissette Drive
Springfield, VA 22152

Please contact DEA Diversion E-Commerce Support for enrollment assistance.
Phone: 1-877-DEA-ECOM (1-877-332-3266)
E-mail: CSOSsupport@deaecom.gov