$("#signup").validate( {
    rules: {
        username: {
            required: true,
            minlength: 5,
            remote: {
                url: "dbquery.php",
                type: "get",
                data: {
                    action: function () {
                        return "checkusername";
                    },
                    username: function() {
                        var username = $("#username").val();
                        return username;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    },
    messages: {
        username: {
            required: "Enter a username"
        }
    },
    submitHandler: function(form) {
        form.submit();
    }
});