E-Signed Mortgage Deeds: Remortgaging Just Got Easier

Remortgaging is usually one of the simpler property transactions, so it can be frustrating when everything grinds to a halt over one piece of paper. The mortgage deed has traditionally had to be printed, signed in wet ink in front of an independent witness, and posted back to your conveyancer. Get the witness bit wrong, or have it lost in the post, and you're starting again.

The good news is that this is finally changing. More lenders are starting to accept mortgage deeds signed electronically, with no printer, no pen and no witness needed. Here's what's happening and what it means for your remortgage. (For the rest of the legal process, see our guide to remortgaging your home.)

What's changed?

The big shift came in August 2025, when HM Land Registry started accepting documents signed with a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES). A QES is the most secure type of electronic signature. Before you can sign, your identity is checked through a certified provider, and the signature is protected against tampering. Because of that identity check, no witness is needed.

The Land Registry accepting it was only half the battle, though. Lenders also had to get on board. Here's where things have got to:

• Nationwide became the first UK lender to let customers sign their mortgage deed electronically, without a witness, in February 2026. It's available for both remortgages and purchases, as long as the conveyancer is set up to use QES.
• Skipton Building Society has been piloting QES mortgage deeds for remortgage customers with HM Land Registry.
• LMS, which handles a lot of remortgage work for lenders, announced in October 2026 that it has rolled out QES so participating lenders and law firms can offer digital deed signing.

Separately, HM Land Registry has its own Sign your mortgage deed service for remortgages in England and Wales. You prove your identity through GOV.UK One Login and sign with a code sent to your mobile. Again, your lender and conveyancer both have to use it.

It's still early days. Figures reported in June 2026 showed QES was used just five times in HM Land Registry applications in the first quarter of 2026. But with a big lender like Nationwide on board, the direction of travel is clear.

How does it work on a remortgage?

The exact steps depend on the lender and the signing platform, but broadly:

• Your conveyancer prepares the deed and checks that your lender accepts electronic signatures.
• You verify your identity online. This usually means a photo ID check, such as your passport or driving licence, through the signing provider (or GOV.UK One Login for the Land Registry service).
• You review the deed on screen and sign electronically, often confirmed with a one-time code.
• Joint borrowers sign separately, from their own devices, and don't have to do it at the same time.
• Your conveyancer gets the signed deed straight away and can send it off for registration on completion, with nothing lost in the post.

No printing, no hunting for a neighbour to witness it, and no trip to the post office.

Why it's a good thing (and what to bear in mind)

The benefits:

• Speed. No posting deeds back and forth, which can shave days off a remortgage and help you move onto your new rate on time.
• Fewer mistakes. A surprising number of paper deeds come back with witnessing problems. Digital signing takes that risk away.
• Better security. Because your identity is verified before you sign, it's harder for a fraudster to sign in your name.
• Convenience. Sign from your sofa, on your own schedule.

Things to bear in mind:

• Not every lender offers it yet. If your lender doesn't, you'll sign a paper deed in the usual way.
• Your conveyancer needs to be set up for it too. It's worth asking about this early on.
• You'll need valid ID, and for the Land Registry service a mobile number your conveyancer has on file.
• Names need to match. If your name on your ID differs from the name on the Land Registry title (a middle name, or a change after marriage), tell your conveyancer early, as it can trip up the signing.
• It's for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own land registration systems and rules.

The bottom line

The humble mortgage deed has been one of the last stubbornly paper-based parts of moving or remortgaging. Electronic signing won't be available on every remortgage just yet, but it's a big step towards a faster, safer and much less fiddly process.

If you're thinking about remortgaging, send the team at Bonsai Law a message. We'll let you know how your deed can be signed and get things moving. Our fees page shows our remortgage fees, and because we work through online conveyancing, we can act for you wherever you live in England and Wales. If you're remortgaging a leasehold flat, check the lease length first: our piece on lease extensions explains why it matters to lenders.

Sources

• HM Land Registry, HM Land Registry accepts qualified electronic signatures (1 August 2025)
• HM Land Registry, Practice guide 82: electronic signatures accepted by HM Land Registry
• HM Land Registry, Sign your mortgage deed: guide for homeowners
• Nationwide, Nationwide becomes first lender to allow mortgage deeds to be signed digitally (10 February 2026)
• Mortgage Solutions, Skipton trials e-signatures for remortgage deals (11 August 2026) and Land Registry e-signatures used just five times in Q1 (1 June 2026)
• The Negotiator, LMS rolls out digital mortgage deed signing with QES (29 October 2026)

This reflects the position on 3 November 2026. Which signing methods are available depends on your lender, so check with us at the start of your remortgage.