10 Document Types You Can Easily Sign Online in 2026

Key takeaways:

• From property transactions to sales contracts and employment contracts, you can use online signatures for many important documents.

• Electronic signatures keep agreements secure and compliant with encryption, ID verification and tamper‑evident audit trails that support UK eIDAS, data protection and KYC requirements.

• With Docusign, you can start by signing for free and scale up to full digital workflows, creating, committing and managing agreements with one AI-powered contract platform.

1. HM Land Registry

The HM Land Registry now fully accepts witnessed electronic signatures for property transactions, including transfers of ownership, leases and mortgages. The signing process has been streamlined with multiple options available, conveyancer-certified signatures and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), with QES offering the highest security level without requiring witnesses.

Property transfer documents can be submitted as PDF files directly to the registry, eliminating paper and wet-ink requirements from the conveyancing process. Docusign eSignature supports the complete digital workflow for witnessing and signing HMLR deeds electronically, ensuring all files meet the registry's technical standards and certification requirements.

2. Non-disclosure agreements

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA), also known as a confidentiality agreement, establishes how sensitive information or ideas will be shared securely between parties. Whether you're working with suppliers, marketing agencies, financial advisers or legal counsel, NDAs can be one-way or mutual depending on who's disclosing information.

Without this protection, your confidential information could be used without permission. Electronic document signing with the strongest data encryption technologies keeps your information secure throughout the process. Using an electronic signature solution with witnessing capabilities allows you to send unlimited documents in one workflow to all relevant signatories remotely, streamlining the entire process.

Edit and use the free Docusign NDA template.

3. Requests for proposals or quotes

A request for proposal or a request for quote (RFP or RFQ) is a business document that announces project details to solicit bids from potential suppliers. Modern RFPs can be signed online using digital signature solutions that streamline the entire process.

You can easily drag and upload multiple PDFs into a single envelope, allowing approvers to review complete bid packages before signing. Whilst an RFP itself isn't a contract, it typically requires internal approvals before release, and suppliers sign their responses to verify accuracy.

Compatible with various digital signature software, online RFP signing enables secure distribution to multiple email addresses simultaneously, significantly reducing procurement timelines and ensuring all users can access documents remotely.

4. Sales contracts

A sales contract is an agreement created between a buyer and a seller. Both consumer and business contracts can be signed online, carrying the same legal weight as traditional paper agreements. A sale of goods contract helps protect both parties by setting out details such as price, description of goods, delivery terms and warranty information.

Creating signatures online for faster deals

Unlike wet-ink signatures that require physical handling and postage, electronic signatures allow contracts to be completed in minutes rather than days. Digital certificates provide additional security and authenticity verification, making online signatures more tamper-resistant than traditional methods.

Buyers can also sign Word documents online, further streamlining the purchasing process and accelerating sales cycles.

5. Master services agreements

A master services agreement (MSA) establishes a framework of terms for ongoing business relationships between two parties, creating the foundation for future work. These contracts typically include terms for payment, dispute resolution, intellectual property ownership and rigorous security certification standards such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001.

Modern MSAs often require detailed data-handling clauses and specific security protocols to protect sensitive information. Using electronic signature solutions streamlines the signing process, allowing multiple authorised signatories to execute agreements remotely whilst maintaining compliance. A properly executed MSA is legally binding and enforceable by law, providing a secure foundation for long-term business partnerships.

6. Employment contracts and offer letters

All employees have an employment contract with their employer. An employment offer letter outlines the position details, work schedule and terms of employment. Electronic signatures are legally valid for executing employment contracts in the UK, with no wet-ink signature required.

Candidates can sign documents electronically for free on their mobile devices. Docusign offers unlimited free signing for all parties receiving documents. This capability streamlines the hiring process, allowing HR teams to send and receive signed employment contracts quickly. Creating contracts that can be signed easily online delivers a much smoother and speedier remote employee onboarding process for new staff members.

7. Leases

Various types of lease agreements can be securely signed online, including residential tenancy agreements, commercial property leases and vehicle lease contracts.

Many types of leases now incorporate electronic signing as standard practice across the rental industry.

Questions about validity? Discover more about electronic signatures and legality in the UK.

8. Purchase orders

A purchase order (PO) is an official document that buyers use to request goods or services from suppliers. When a purchase order is sent, it isn't initially a contract but becomes one when accepted by the seller. The PO approval process typically includes:

• Requisition submission and budget verification

• Manager or department head authorisation

• Final finance team approval before sending to vendor

Modern digital signature software integrates with procurement systems to streamline the entire PO workflow. Users can route documents, track approval status and maintain audit trails, completing purchase orders in minutes rather than days. These integrations with existing systems ensure faster processing whilst maintaining proper documentation for compliance.

9. Financial documents

Many financial agreements can be signed online, from personal loan applications to bank account openings and investment contracts. Financial institutions now leverage electronic signatures to streamline paperwork whilst maintaining strict security standards. Financial services firms must follow stringent 'Know Your Customer' (KYC) verification procedures, often implementing digital certificates and email verification to confirm signatory identities.

These processes ensure sensitive PDF documents remain secure during transmission and storage. Electronic signature solutions combine remote ID verification with tamper-evident audit trails, ensuring regulatory compliance whilst protecting against fraud. For clients, this means faster processing times, with many financial agreements completed within minutes rather than days.

10. Public petitions

Public petitions enable members of the public to petition the House of Commons and press for action from the government using electronic signatures. The UK Parliament's e-petition system makes it simple to gather large numbers of signatures at speed. Citizens can easily add their electronic signature to PDF or Word documents online, with petitions that reach 100,000 signatures considered for parliamentary debate.

How to sign documents online in just a few clicks

Upload your file

Simply drag and drop your document into the signing platform. Most electronic signature solutions support various file formats, including PDFs, Word documents and image files. The upload process is intuitive, allowing you to prepare documents for signing without technical expertise. If you are ready to get started you can see here how we make electronic signing simple.

Add your electronic signature

Create your signature by drawing, typing or uploading an image of your handwritten signature.

Send and track the signing process

Invite others to sign by entering their email addresses. Recipients receive automatic notifications when documents require their signature and again when signing is complete. Track document status in real time to see who has viewed, signed or needs a reminder. Access your documents anytime using a document signing app.

FAQs about signing documents online

How do I sign a PDF document online?

Upload your PDF to an electronic document signing platform, click the signature tool, then create your digital signature by typing, drawing or uploading an image. Place it where needed, save your document and download the signed version.

Is it safe to sign documents online?

Yes, reputable digital signature services provide bank-level security with encryption and tamper-evident technology. Docusign includes a court-admissible audit trail that verifies when and who signed.

How do I create an electronic signature?

You can create an electronic signature in three ways: type your name and select a signature-style font, draw your signature using a mouse or touchscreen or upload a photo of your handwritten signature for a more personal touch.

Can I sign Word documents online?

Yes, most eSignature platforms support signing Word documents online. Simply upload your Word file to your preferred digital signing tool, add your signature and download the completed document or convert it to PDF.

Is Docusign free to use?

Docusign offers a 30-day free trial. Sign up for free.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is for general information purposes only and is not intended to serve as legal advice. Laws governing the subject matter may change quickly, so Docusign cannot guarantee that all the information on this site is current or correct. Should you have specific legal questions about any of the information on this site, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your area.