Can UK wills be signed electronically in 2026?

Electronic Signatures and UK Wills: Navigating the Legal Landscape

The rise of digital tools has transformed how legal documents are handled, particularly in estate planning where wills play a critical role. In the UK, the question of whether wills can be signed electronically remains a topic of debate among legal professionals and businesses alike. As we look toward 2026, understanding the current regulations and potential shifts is essential for individuals and firms relying on eSignature platforms.

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Legal Framework for Electronic Signatures in the UK

The UK’s approach to electronic signatures is governed by a combination of domestic laws and EU-influenced regulations, even post-Brexit. The Electronic Communications Act 2000 (ECA) provides the foundational framework, allowing electronic signatures to have the same legal validity as wet-ink signatures in most contexts, provided they meet reliability and authentication standards. This act was influenced by the EU’s eIDAS Regulation (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services), which the UK has retained through the UK’s Electronic Communications Act and the Retained EU Law framework.

For general contracts, electronic signatures are widely accepted under the ECA, as long as the method used demonstrates the signer’s intent and identity. Platforms like DocuSign or Adobe Sign often comply by incorporating audit trails, timestamps, and encryption. However, wills fall under stricter scrutiny due to their irrevocable nature and the need to prevent fraud in inheritance matters.

The Wills Act 1837 remains the cornerstone for will execution in England and Wales. Section 9 mandates that a will must be in writing, signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who also sign in the testator’s presence. Historically, courts have interpreted “signed” to require a physical, handwritten signature, as seen in cases like Re White [1991], where electronic methods were deemed insufficient. Scotland and Northern Ireland have similar provisions under the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Wills and Administration Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1994, emphasizing formalities to ensure testamentary intent.

Electronic signatures for wills have been tested in limited scenarios. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Justice issued guidance allowing remote witnessing via video link under temporary measures, but this did not extend to fully electronic signing. The Law Commission of England and Wales, in its 2019 report on electronic execution of documents, recommended legislative changes to modernize the Wills Act, proposing that electronic wills be permissible if they use “reliable” electronic signatures akin to eIDAS qualified standards. However, as of 2025, no such amendments have been enacted, leaving electronic wills in a gray area.

In practice, businesses and legal firms use eSignatures for ancillary documents like powers of attorney or codicils, but core wills still require traditional methods. The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) advises caution, noting that any electronic attempt could lead to challenges in probate courts, potentially invalidating the will and causing disputes.

Prospects for Electronic Wills in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook for electronic wills in the UK hinges on ongoing legislative reviews. The Ministry of Justice’s 2023 consultation on modernizing probate processes highlighted digital adoption, with proposals to align wills with the ECA’s electronic provisions. Industry observers, including the Law Society, predict that by 2026, pilot programs for electronic wills could emerge, especially with blockchain-based verification for immutability.

However, full legalization is not guaranteed. Challenges include ensuring accessibility for non-tech-savvy testators, particularly the elderly, and addressing cybersecurity risks. The UK government’s Digital Strategy 2022 emphasizes secure digital identities via the GOV.UK One Login system, which could underpin future electronic will platforms. If reforms pass, eSignatures would likely require advanced authentication, such as biometric verification or integration with government-issued digital IDs, to meet the “presence” requirement for witnesses.

From a commercial perspective, this evolution could boost eSignature providers’ market share in the legal sector, currently valued at £500 million annually in the UK. Firms preparing for 2026 should monitor the Digital Economy Bill, expected to address these gaps. In the interim, hybrid approaches—digitally drafting wills and printing for physical signing—remain the safest bet. Legal experts like those at Slaughter and May suggest that while 2026 may see partial digitization, complete electronic execution might take until 2028 or later, balancing innovation with the sanctity of testamentary documents.

For now, the answer to whether UK wills can be signed electronically in 2026 is cautious: probable for ancillary elements, but unlikely for the core document without new laws. Businesses in estate planning should prioritize compliant platforms to future-proof operations.

Key eSignature Platforms for UK Legal Use

Several eSignature providers cater to UK regulations, offering tools that align with ECA and eIDAS standards. These platforms vary in features, pricing, and regional focus, making them suitable for legal workflows.

DocuSign

DocuSign is a market leader in eSignature solutions, trusted by over 1 million UK users for its robust compliance features. Its eSignature platform supports ECA-compliant signing with audit trails, encryption, and integration with legal software like Clio. Pricing starts at $10/month for personal plans, scaling to $40/month per user for business pro, with add-ons for identity verification. For UK wills, DocuSign’s templates and reminders aid drafting, though it emphasizes that users must consult lawyers for formal execution. Its API enables custom integrations, ideal for law firms automating probate processes.

Adobe Sign

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Document Cloud, excels in seamless integration with PDF workflows, making it popular among UK solicitors for document-heavy tasks. It adheres to UK ECA and eIDAS through qualified electronic signatures, offering features like conditional fields and mobile signing. Pricing is tiered, starting around $10/user/month for basic access, with enterprise plans customized for compliance needs. For estate planning, Adobe Sign’s security certifications (ISO 27001) ensure data protection, but like competitors, it doesn’t override Wills Act restrictions on electronic execution. Its strength lies in collaborative editing, useful for drafting wills with witnesses.

eSignGlobal

eSignGlobal positions itself as a globally compliant eSignature provider, supporting electronic signatures in over 100 mainstream countries and regions. It holds a particular advantage in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) area, where electronic signature regulations are fragmented, high-standard, and strictly regulated—often requiring “ecosystem-integrated” approaches rather than the more framework-based ESIGN/eIDAS models common in Europe and the US. In APAC, compliance demands deep hardware/API-level integrations with government-to-business (G2B) digital identities, a technical hurdle far beyond email verification or self-declaration methods prevalent in Western markets. eSignGlobal’s Essential plan, at just $16.6/month (annual billing), allows sending up to 100 documents for electronic signature, unlimited user seats, and verification via access codes, offering strong value on a compliance foundation. It integrates seamlessly with Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass, enhancing its utility for cross-border legal work that might intersect with UK practices.

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HelloSign (Dropbox Sign)

HelloSign, now rebranded as Dropbox Sign, focuses on user-friendly eSignatures with strong UK compliance via ECA alignment. It’s ideal for small law practices, offering free basic signing and paid plans from $15/month. Features include reusable templates and team collaboration, suitable for will-related communications, though it stresses professional legal advice for execution formalities.

Comparison of eSignature Providers

This table highlights neutral trade-offs: DocuSign and Adobe Sign dominate in enterprise features, while eSignGlobal offers cost efficiency for global teams, and HelloSign suits simplicity.

Conclusion

As 2026 approaches, electronic wills in the UK may see incremental progress, but traditional signing persists for certainty. Businesses should select eSignature tools based on compliance needs and scale. For DocuSign users seeking alternatives, eSignGlobal emerges as a regionally compliant option, particularly for APAC-UK operations, providing flexible pricing without seat fees.