Can You Sign a Deed Electronically in Ireland?
Generally not with a simple electronic signature. A deed executed by an individual has to be signed in the presence of a witness who attests the signature, and a company deed needs the company seal; the Electronic Commerce Act only allows a witnessed signature to be electronic where both signatory and witness use an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate, and the Law Society of Ireland takes the view that the witness must be physically present. The good news: most of the documents a business or a landlord deals with are not deeds at all.
In 30 seconds
- A deed by an individual must be signed in the presence of a witness who attests the signature (LCLRA 2009, s. 64); a company deed is executed under the company seal (Companies Act 2014, s. 43).
- Electronically, only with an advanced signature based on a qualified certificate for both signatory and witness (ECA 2000, s. 14), and the Law Society expects the witness to be physically present.
- Contracts, including tenancy agreements and contracts for sale, can be signed electronically; conveyances and powers of attorney cannot.
What a deed is, and what it requires
The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 (s. 64) provides that a deed executed by an individual must be "signed by the individual in the presence of a witness who attests the signature", and a deed by a company registered in Ireland must be "executed under the seal of the company".The seal is still a physical one: the Companies Act 2014 (s. 43) describes a seal with the company's name "engraved in legible characters", signed by a director and countersigned by the secretary or another director, and Irish law firms agree that there is currently no equivalent electronic seal.
«it is signed by the individual in the presence of a witness who attests the signature»
Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009, s. 64(2)(b)(i)(I) · View the official source
Official figures
of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009: a deed is signed in the presence of a witness who attests the signature.
of the Companies Act 2014: a company has an engraved seal, signed by a director and countersigned by another director or by the secretary.
of the Electronic Commerce Act 2000: where a witness is required, both signatory and witness need an advanced signature based on a qualified certificate.
What the e-signature law says
The Electronic Commerce Act 2000 (s. 14) allows an electronic signature on a document that has to be witnessed only where both signatory and witness use an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate, and the recipient consents. And section 10 excludes altogether the creation, acquisition or disposal of an interest in land, other than contracts to do so. The Law Society of Ireland, in its 2022 guidance note, adds that the witness must be physically present and that there are "divergent views" among practitioners on electronic deeds. The practical conclusion: deeds go on paper, or with a qualified signature and a witness in the room.
Documents that are not deeds and can be signed electronically
- Contracts for sale, for services, for supply, non-disclosure agreements: section 10 excludes the conveyance itself, not "contracts to" make it.
- Tenancy agreements: section 63 of the 2009 Act takes tenancies that do not require a deed out of the deed requirement, and Deasy's Act 1860 (s. 4) asks for a note in writing signed by the landlord or their agent for fixed-term leases. A document signed electronically meets that. The Residential Tenancies Board does not ask for the signed agreement when you register the tenancy.
- Employment documents, permission forms, consents, registrations, receipts: no particular form is required.
Documents that are deeds (or must be)
- Transfers of land (conveyances, transfers) and mortgages.
- Powers of attorney (powers of attorney) and enduring powers of attorney.
- Guarantees and waivers executed as deeds because there is no consideration.
- Anything the law, or the document itself, declares to be executed "as a deed".
How to sign everything else, with evidence
With MultiDocs you upload the PDF, mark where each person signs and they receive a link by email, WhatsApp or SMS. They sign with their finger on their phone, agree to sign electronically (the consent that section 13 requires) and the PDF comes back to you with its audit trail: email address or mobile number, IP address, date, time and document fingerprint. More in are electronic signatures legally binding in Ireland?
FAQs
Can I sign a deed with MultiDocs?
No. Deeds need a witness who is physically present (and a qualified signature for both signatory and witness if done electronically), or a physical seal in the case of a company.
Is a tenancy agreement a deed in Ireland?
Not necessarily. Deasy's Act requires a note in writing signed by the landlord for fixed terms, and the 2009 Act takes tenancies that do not require a deed out of the deed requirement. An agreement signed electronically does the job.
Can the witness attend by video call?
The Law Society's view is that the witness must be physically present. Do not do it by video.
Can a company use an electronic seal?
Not today: the Companies Act 2014 describes a physical, engraved seal, and there is no recognised electronic equivalent.
What about a contract for the sale of land?
The contract can be signed electronically (section 10 excludes the conveyance, not the contract); the deed of transfer cannot.
Official sources
- Law Reform Commission (Ireland): Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009, s. 64 (deeds)
- Law Reform Commission (Ireland): Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009, s. 63
- Law Reform Commission (Ireland): Companies Act 2014, s. 43 (company seal)
- Law Reform Commission (Ireland): Electronic Commerce Act 2000, revised text
- Law Society of Ireland: eSignatures Guidance Note
- Residential Tenancies Board: how to register a tenancy
We checked each source on 5 November 2026. If you spot an out-of-date figure, write to us at info@multidocs.es.