This question came to my mind during the discussion of unsanctioned psykers. As it isn't even clear what a sanctioning brand actually is (a real branding?, electoo?, or a tattoo?), it's difficult to decide, but I simply can't believe it's completely impossible or nobody has ever tried.

And how would they check if you're really a sanctioned psyker? Given the fact that messages can take month to reach their destination, actually checking the facts with the adeptus astra telepathica doesn't seem feasible for routine checks.

It's a brand, in the shape of the symbol of the Adepta Astra Telepathicus (stylized pillar and eye), usually placed on the forearm or the forehead. Forging the symbol isn't that hard, given the proper tools. The problem comes when someone with authority wants to check ID and here you are with brand and no Adeptus ID. You need both to pass any reasonably thorough inspection and the latter is going to be as hard to forge as the ID of similarly important Adeptus personal (very hard).

Cynical Cat said:

Thank you.

So you'd need a very capable forger, the kind probably working for a major criminal organisation, one willing to work for a rogue psyker. Probably not easy to find or pay. But if you can get your hands on a good forgery, it would be hard to discredit, given the lack of communication in the imperium.

Hmm... which in turn could me that a cell of the Ordo Herectius would have good reason to up-root any forger / forging ring that partakes in this (heretical) venue of business.

Very nice idea, indeed. Good plot hook.

"There was this recent witch burning. This witch not only got a fake sanctionite brand, but a forged ID to match. Went unnoticed for years till she got discovered. This is a major threat to the imperium, since it allows those who can bring our downfall to go unnoticed. Therefore, I send you to investigate this matter. Find the forger, put him on trial, make him testify and burn him. Here is everyting we got on this witch, so.... pan? Questioning the witch first? Well, as I told you: she was already burned. Throne blind those zealos ministorum witch-hunters..."

To evan have the chutzpah to THINK of forging the brand is incredible. I had some plans on having a chaos cult doing this (getting our group's psyker into some trouble, etc) but given how the general attitude is regarding psykers that would be a major story arc.

Yes, I imagine the punishment for such henious Heresy to be..... most unpleasant.