The shift towards digital contracts in Ireland is clear. Every week, more businesses and freelancers rely on electronic signatures to get deals done quickly from anywhere. But, maybe this has crossed your mind, are there still times when only pen and paper will do?
Electronic signatures are legally recognized in Ireland. They can be used for most contracts under the Electronic Commerce Act 2000 and the EU’s eIDAS regulation. Solutions like CloudSign.ie empower users with fast, secure signing, creating valid documents accepted by Irish courts and authorities. Yet, not all documents have crossed the digital divide.
So, which digital documents still need wet signatures in Ireland, and why? If you’re running a business, working as a freelancer, or simply trying to get a contract signed without confusion, knowing the answer could save you trouble, or even money.
Understanding wet signatures and their purpose
A wet signature is an original, handwritten signature using ink on paper. The term sounds oddly old-fashioned, but it’s still used in legal documents where only the “real” thing will do.
Law and tradition both shape this need. A wet signature proves intent directly, offers a clear audit trail, and, perhaps most importantly, satisfies requirements that digital options can’t yet reach.
Some documents in Ireland always need a signature you can touch.
There’s no way around it for those. But for nearly everything else? CloudSign.ie provides compliant, secure digital signing experiences that replace the old routines. For most transactions, digital signatures are already the norm.
Legal background in Ireland
If you haven’t seen our legal overview of electronic signature laws in Ireland, you should read it for a full breakdown. The quick version is this:
- Electronic signatures have been valid since the Electronic Commerce Act 2000.
- The EU’s eIDAS Regulation sets standards for all member states, including Ireland.
- Signatures fall into three types: Simple Electronic Signatures (SES), Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES), and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES).
Most agreements can be signed electronically, but there are set exceptions. Certain documents demand a wet signature, even today.
Documents that always need wet signatures
These categories still haven’t been digitized by Irish law. Sometimes it feels like stepping back years, but compliance is non-negotiable:
- Wills and testamentary documents: Legally, a wet signature plus witnesses are required for all Irish wills and codicils. Digital signatures do not count.Source: AMOSS Law
- Statutory declarations and affidavits: Only wet-ink, signed, and witnessed in person is allowed. Electronic versions have no legal standing.Source: Lavelle Partners
- Trust deeds or documents related to trusts: Again, traditional signing rules mean an electronic signature will not suffice.Source: Arthur Cox
- Documents transferring real property: Deeds relating to buying, selling, or mortgaging land and property still require original signatures.Source: Law Society of Ireland
- Certain court documents: Some court filings and documents for property dealings must be hand-signed and filed as originals.Source: William Fry
If you’re dealing with property, estates, trusts, or official affidavits, paper, ink, and witnesses are still the rule.
Why these exceptions exist
The reasons usually come down to the risk of fraud, the need for certainty, or legal tradition. When the effect of a document is life-changing, like a will or transferring property, lawmakers want physical proof and witnesses. It can feel frustrating. Yet, for all other documents, digital options are faster, safer, and just as valid.
That’s where using a service like CloudSign.ie really shines. For standard business contracts, non-property agreements, NDAs, offer letters and more, an electronic signature is recognized and enforceable.
Documents you can sign digitally
Most Irish contracts today can be signed from your smartphone or laptop. This makes remote working, fast deals, and simple record-keeping possible for everyone, from freelancers to multinational companies. Digital signatures do the job for:
- Employment contracts and offer letters
- Service agreements
- Supplier and customer contracts
- NDAs (non-disclosure agreements)
- Invoices, purchase orders, and basic commercial paperwork
- All standard business-to-business agreements
The adoption of e-signatures by freelancers and startups has removed bottlenecks and made contract cycles shorter than ever.
If you’re still curious about the finer legal rules, there’s an excellent article on electronic signature validity for Irish contracts that breaks down different scenarios.
Myths and common mistakes
It’s easy to assume every document is fine for an e-signature, but that’s not true. Some companies still ask for wet signatures just because they always have. Others avoid digital options from habit, not law. This leads to confusion, lost time, or even invalid contracts.
Double check if the law actually asks for paper before putting pen to paper!
If in doubt, check with your lawyer or with the document’s recipient. You can always consult up-to-date legal guidance by reading the beginner’s guide to electronic signatures.
Why most businesses prefer digital signatures
Speed is one reason. But for businesses, the real advantage is traceability and lower risk. CloudSign.ie not only delivers a secure, audit-ready signing process, but also integrates with popular tools like Google Drive, Slack, and leading CRMs.
While other reputable providers exist (such as DocuSign or Dropbox Sign), CloudSign.ie offers a superior user experience, stronger compliance for Irish businesses, and a free plan for individuals that sets us apart.
If you want more details on what makes an electronic signature legally binding, have a look at our guide to agreement signatures and legal enforceability.
Summary for Irish businesses and professionals
A small group of documents in Ireland, wills, trusts, statutory declarations, court affidavits, and certain property deeds, still require a wet, handwritten signature. Besides those, almost everything else in the business world can be signed, shared, and managed electronically.
CloudSign.ie is the obvious choice for modern companies and freelancers needing speed, compliance, security, and legal status on nearly every deal. We make the “old way” feel...well, very old.
Most of your contracts can, and should, be signed online.
Try CloudSign.ie for free and see just how much paperwork you no longer need to print.
Frequently asked questions
What is a wet signature in Ireland?
A wet signature is a handwritten mark, usually made with a pen on paper, used to show agreement or to validate documents. In Ireland, some legal and official documents still must have this kind of signature for acceptance. The name comes from the image of ink being wet as it is applied. It’s used where a digital alternative will not satisfy the law.
Which documents require wet signatures?
Wills (including codicils), statutory declarations, affidavits, trust deeds, and documents that deal with the transfer of real property all require wet-ink signatures in Ireland. Certain documents filed with courts or land registries may also still ask for originals in writing. For more details, see the Irish Law Society’s guidance.
Can digital signatures replace wet signatures?
For most contracts and agreements, digital signatures under platforms like CloudSign.ie are valid and carry the same legal weight as paper-based ones. But some exceptions remain, property, wills, affidavits, and trust documents typically cannot be signed digitally. Many businesses use electronic signatures for everyday work, which cuts delays and gives better tracking.
Are wet signatures legally binding online?
Wet signatures themselves are not “online”, they exist only on physical documents. However, scanned copies may sometimes be accepted for certain processes, but not all official or legal business. If the law asks for a wet signature, only the original, physical document with that handwritten mark counts as binding.
How to get a document wet signed?
You need to print the document, sign it with a pen, and (when required) have witnesses sign at the same time. Sometimes an official like a solicitor or public notary will need to watch and give their stamp or signature too. Once signed, you deliver the original, signed paper document to the recipient, either in person or by post. For documents not needing wet signatures, CloudSign.ie makes everything simple, safe, and digital.