Electronic signature law in the United Kingdom

Yes. In the United Kingdom an electronic signature is admissible in evidence and cannot be denied legal effect simply because it is electronic. Two instruments do this work side by side: section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and Article 25 of UK eIDAS. For most contracts with customers, suppliers and staff, a simple electronic signature is enough. The exceptions are documents whose rules turn on a witness being present, such as deeds and wills in England and Wales.

This page is general information, not legal advice. The law was checked on 22 October 2026.

Two layers, two jobs

The Electronic Communications Act 2000 deals with evidence. Under section 7(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000, in any legal proceedings an electronic signature incorporated into or logically associated with an electronic communication or data, and any certification of it, is admissible in evidence on the authenticity or integrity of that communication or data.

UK eIDAS deals with legal effect and with levels of signature. Article 25(1) of UK eIDAS says an electronic signature shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely because it is electronic or does not meet the requirements for qualified electronic signatures. Article 25(2) of UK eIDAS gives a qualified electronic signature the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature.

One part of the original text no longer applies. Article 25(3), on recognising qualified signatures across EU member states, was omitted for the UK from 31 December 2020. If you deal with EU counterparties, do not assume their qualified signatures carry automatic status under that provision in the UK, although Article 25(1) still protects them from being refused effect merely for being electronic.

Separate statutes then add formalities for particular documents, covered below. The wills and deeds rules described here apply in England and Wales.

What the law recognises as a signature

Both layers define an electronic signature broadly.

• Section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000: anything in electronic form that is incorporated into or logically associated with an electronic communication or data and purports to be used by the individual creating it to sign.
• Article 3(10) of UK eIDAS: data in electronic form attached to or logically associated with other data in electronic form and used by the signatory to sign.

Two things matter in both definitions. The signature must be connected to the document, and it must be used to sign, not just typed or pasted in passing. A drawn signature in a signing field, a typed name in a signature box or a clicked acceptance can all fit, provided the person meant it as their signature on that document.

The provisions summarised here deal with signatures and their evidential value. They do not themselves set a general rule on when an electronic document counts as "writing" or as an "original", so where another statute requires writing for a particular document, check that statute.

What makes an electronic signature hold up as evidence

Admissibility is the starting point, not the finish. Section 7(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 lets the signature be used as evidence of authenticity (who signed) and integrity (whether the document has changed). A court still weighs that evidence, so the record behind the signature does the real work.

Section 7(3) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 explains certification: a signature is certified when a person has stated that the signature, a means of producing, communicating or verifying it, or a procedure applied to it is a valid means of signing. Certification is also admissible under section 7(1).

Article 26 of UK eIDAS lists the features of an advanced electronic signature: uniquely linked to the signatory, capable of identifying them, created using data they can use under their sole control with a high level of confidence, and linked to the signed data so that any later change is detectable. You do not need an advanced signature for most contracts, but the list is a useful check on your own evidence: can you show who signed, that it was them, and that the document has not changed since?

The levels of signature the law distinguishes

Article 3(10) to (12) of UK eIDAS sets out three levels.

• Electronic signature. Any data used by the signatory to sign, attached to or logically associated with the document. Protected by Article 25(1) of UK eIDAS.
• Advanced electronic signature. One that meets Article 26 of UK eIDAS, as described above.
• Qualified electronic signature. An advanced signature created by a qualified signature creation device and based on a qualified certificate. Under Article 25(2) of UK eIDAS it has the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature.

The practical difference is the burden of proof. A qualified signature carries handwritten-equivalent effect by law; a simple one is effective and admissible, but you rely on your record to show who signed and what.

Documents that need witnesses or extra formalities

These rules are about presence and attestation. The provisions themselves do not say how a witness can be "present" when a document is signed on screen, so treat electronic or remote witnessing of deeds and wills as a question for legal advice, not a default.

A practical checklist for your business

1. Confirm the signer means to sign. Section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and Article 3(10) of UK eIDAS both turn on the signature being used to sign. Make the signing step explicit, with the document in front of the signer, and agree in advance that you will both sign electronically.
2. Identify each signer. Section 7(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 admits the signature on authenticity. Send to an email address or phone number you know belongs to the signer, and keep a note of how you verified it for higher-value contracts.
3. Keep the audit trail with the document. Section 7(1) and section 7(3) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 make the signature and any certification of it admissible. Store the completion record alongside the signed file so the two can be produced together.
4. Protect the document from later changes. Integrity is the second thing section 7(1) addresses, and Article 26 of UK eIDAS treats detectable changes as a mark of a stronger signature. Keep the final sealed version and do not edit it after signing.
5. Decide whether you need a qualified signature. For most contracts Article 25(1) of UK eIDAS is enough. Where a counterparty insists on handwritten-equivalent effect, Article 25(2) of UK eIDAS is the provision to point to, and you will need a provider that issues qualified signatures.
6. Check for witnessing rules before you send. Route deeds in England and Wales through a process that meets section 1(3) of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989, and keep wills in England and Wales out of electronic signing given section 9 of the Wills Act 1837.