DocuSign eWitness
Witness documents electronically with DocuSign eWitness
eWitness is a feature of DocuSign eSignature that enables users to identify one or more individuals to witness the execution of deeds and other important agreements.
Avoid the costs, errors, and time associated with manual witnessing
DocuSign provides solutions for signing and witnessing documents and deeds, including HM Land Registry deeds. 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 document 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 address, email address, IP address and time stamps.
Benefits of electronic witnessing
Get going quickly
Flexible, easily configurable and easy to use for all parties, including senders, signers and witnesses.
Accelerate agreement completion
Digitise manual and paper-based processes to speed up the contracting process.
Reduce risk
Along with email, DocuSign eWitness supports a second factor of authentication with one time password, delivered by text message for both the signer and the witness. This allows you to meet specific requirements including signing HM Land Registry deeds such as change of ownership documents.
Capture court-admissible evidence
Download a Certificate of Completion that provides proof of signing and witnessing by capturing key transaction information such as IP address, time stamps and authentication methods for both the signer and witness along with witness details such as their address and title. This file provides rich transaction evidence in the event of a legal dispute.
Save time and money
Avoid the costs, errors, and time associated with manual witnessing.
eWitness features
With a robust set of functionality, DocuSign eWitness allows seamless and secure electronic witnessing.
With 88% of our documents being e-signed in under 24 hours, DocuSign and the new eWitness feature is a game-changer for the typical real estate lawyer whose documents are often registrable at the Land Registry.
Katherine CrowleyReal Estate Practice Development Manager, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
eWitness is a game changer for Womble Bond Dickinson UK (LLP)
Key use cases
DocuSign eWitness can be used for many types of documents, including:
Electronic Witnessing FAQ
DocuSign eWitness is a feature of DocuSign eSignature that provides a seamless experience when witnessing documents electronically. DocuSign eWitness is the preferred approach when witnessing high value agreements or HM Land Registry deeds as it empowers signers to nominate up to two witnesses, while capturing important witness information such as witness address and title. eWitness also limits access to the witness post signing to preserve confidentiality. In a few limited cases, you might need to use DocuSign eSignature for witnessing. Here a few examples:
- If you require more than 2 witnesses per signer
- If you want to send a document using DocuSign SMS delivery
- If you require to verify identity using DocuSign ID Verification
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. When creating the enveloppe, you have the option to add a witness group and you will be guided through a few simple steps to finalise the envelope with witness(es).
Yes, with DocuSign eWitness you can add up to 2 witnesses per signer.
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.
In the event where the witness is unknown, each signer will be able to choose their witness(es) and complete the witness(es) details, including full name and email address, as well as phone number if 2-factor authentication is required.
Yes, you can meet HMLR requirements when using DocuSign eWitness. Our solution supports 2-factor authentication for both the signer and the witness using a one time password (OTP) sent by SMS.
Secure Electronic Witnessing in the UK
Learn how to sign and witness documents electronically in the UK.
HM Land Registry and Womble Bond Dickinson on Witnessed Electronic Signature
Watch On-DemandWe sat down with HM Land Registry and Womble Bond Dickinson to discuss Witnessed Electronic Signature. Watch the webinar on-demand here.
Using eSignature to Improve Efficiencies in Conveyancing
Read NowThe Partnership made conveyancing history by being the first firm to use witnessed electronic signatures (WES) to submit HMLR deeds. Learn their reasons for adapting their processes and recommended best practice.
How electronic witnessing works
Learn MoreReview this two page data-sheet for a comprehensive overview into using eSignature with eWitness to sign and witness documents.