Can a Power of Attorney Be Signed Electronically in England and Wales?
23rd June 2025
If you’ve ever signed a tenancy agreement or even opened a bank account online, you might be wondering: “Can I sign a Power of Attorney electronically too?” It’s a fair question—after all, so many things can be done digitally these days. But when it comes to a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in England and Wales, the rules are still a bit more traditional.
The short answer? No, you can’t sign a Lasting Power of Attorney electronically—at least not yet.
Let’s break that down.
LPAs Must Be Signed with Pen on Paper
Even though you can fill out your LPA online (and services like ours at Power of Attorney Online make that part simple), when it comes to the actual signing process, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), the body responsible for registering LPAs, still requires wet ink signatures. That means you, your attorneys, your certificate provider and any required witnesses must physically sign the paper documents.
Why? The OPG’s main concern is to protect vulnerable people and make sure no one is being coerced into giving up control over their finances or health decisions. Wet ink signatures, signed in a particular order and witnessed properly, create a clear audit trail that helps support that safeguarding process.
Are Electronic Signatures Ever Allowed?
For LPAs, no, not yet. However, for other legal documents in England and Wales, electronic signatures are becoming more widely accepted. The Law Commission has even been exploring ways to modernise this area and there’s growing pressure to allow digital signing for LPAs too. But as of now, the rules haven’t changed.
That said, you can do most of the prep online—like choosing your attorneys, adding instructions or preferences, and filling in your personal details. It’s just the signing part that still has to happen offline.
So What’s the Best Way to Do It?
The key is to make sure each party signs in the correct order:
- You (the donor) sign first.
- Then your certificate provider signs, confirming you understand what you’re doing and aren’t under pressure.
- Your attorneys sign next.
- Everyone must follow the specific signing instructions from the OPG to avoid rejection.
Our service makes this bit much easier. We guide you through every step—including how and when to sign—and double-check your documents before they’re sent off for registration.
Will This Change in the Future?
Hopefully, yes. Many legal and tech experts are calling for reforms to make LPAs more accessible and less paper-based, especially since so much can already be done securely online. But any changes would need to balance convenience with strong legal safeguards.
Until then, while you can’t click “sign” just yet, the rest of the process is very much digital-friendly—and we’re here to make it smooth, stress-free and clear every step of the way.
