
Witness agreements with DocuSign eSignature
Avoid the costs, errors, and time associated with manual witnessing
DocuSign provides solutions for signing and witnessing deeds and other agreements in the UK, including HMLR deeds. DocuSign eSignature and its DocuSign eWitness feature allow users to identify one or more individuals to witness the execution of deeds and other important agreements. For your clients, it’s fast and convenient. For you, it eliminates delays, reduces costs and allows you to capture signer and witness details for traceability and audit. Once the agreement has been signed, you have access to a downloadable Certificate of Completion that can serve as important evidence of signing and witnessing should you ever need it. The Certificate presents details about the signing and witnessing parties, including location, email address, IP address and time stamps.Benefits
Solution features
With a robust set of functionality, DocuSign eSignature allows seamless and secure electronic witnessing.
Automated workflows
Set up automated workflows with specific signing and witnessing order, to meet your specific requirements.
Quick setup
Easy to configure and use for all parties, including senders, signers and witnesses.
Flexibility
Add several witnesses per signer. Each signer will be able to choose their witness(es) and complete the witness(es) details, including name and email address.
Traceability and auditability
Capture detailed information about signers and witnesses through the Certificate of Completion, which can help provide proof of the signing in the event of a legal dispute.
Enhanced security
Unparalleled security with strong encryption practices. DocuSign meets the highest security and confidentiality standards.
Signer authentication
Choose from multiple methods of advanced authentication like SMS one-time passwords for high-value transactions and HMLR deeds.
Confidentiality*
Limited witness access to agreements post-signing. Witnesses do not have access to the final executed agreements.

Enabling electronic witnessing in the UK
In this on-demand webinar, special guest David Gent from British law firm Bird & Bird discusses witnessing in the UK and shares some best practices around electronic witnessing with regards to deeds.
Watch Now Key use cases in the UK
DocuSign eSignature and DocuSign eWitness can be used for many types of agreements:
Deeds
HM Land Registry
Mortgage Agreements
Loan Agreements
Patents
Separation Agreements
Guarantor Documents
Short Hold Tenancies
Shareholder Agreements
Partnership Agreements
FAQ
DocuSign eSignature enables you to sign agreements with one or several witnesses and authenticate both the signer and the witness. For example, DocuSign eSignature provides several workflow options for signing HMLR deeds. In some instances, you may choose to use the eWitness feature if there’s a confidentiality requirement to limit witness access to the document post-signing for deeds. Note: DocuSign eWtiness doesn’t support HMLR transaction deeds at this time.
Setting up a DocuSign eSignature envelope that requires a witnessed signature is similar to the regular process for sending envelopes that require an electronic signature. The main difference is in how you create the recipients for your envelope. An envelope can include both signers who require a witness as well as regular recipients, and you can use a signing order to create a workflow for your envelope.
Yes, a DocuSign eSignature envelope can include both witnesses and regular recipients, and customers can set the signing order to create a workflow for their envelopes.
Some advanced features and options are supported only in certain DocuSign eSignature plans. Please contact your Account Manager to understand how you can get started right away.
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