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How to sign and witness a declaration of trust

Short answer: A declaration of trust is normally signed as a deed. Each owner signs in front of an adult witness who is in the room, and the witness then signs and adds their name and address. One witness can watch you both. Date it, and keep the original somewhere safe.

Updated 24 October 2026

Step by step

  1. Print the whole document single-sided on plain white paper. Check every name, amount and address before anyone signs.
  2. Get together with your witness. Each of you signs in your own signature box with a pen while the witness watches.
  3. The witness signs under each of your signatures and prints their full name, address with postcode, and occupation.
  4. You both initial the bottom of every page, so no page can be swapped later.
  5. Write the date at the top. If you're still buying, use your completion date.

That's it. You don't need a solicitor, a stamp or a fee.

Who can be your witness

Any adult who isn't one of the owners. The law doesn't ban relatives, but an independent person is better: a friend, a colleague or a neighbour. If the deed is ever disputed, a witness with no stake in the outcome is easier to believe.

The two owners must not witness each other. Someone who gave you money towards the deposit shouldn't witness either, since they're mentioned in the deed.

One witness can watch both of you sign, but they sign separately under each of your signatures.

Can you sign over video, or electronically?

No. HM Land Registry's guidance on deeds says the witness must be physically present when you sign. A video call doesn't count. Use a pen rather than an electronic signature too. Some electronic signing systems are accepted for deeds, but they're run through conveyancers, and a printed, wet-ink deed avoids any doubt.

Do you need to sign at the same time?

No. You can sign on different days, in front of different witnesses, as long as each signature is properly witnessed. Write the date once you've both signed.

After signing

Keep the original with your property papers and give each other a copy. You don't send it to the Land Registry. Do check your title register shows a Form A restriction, which records that you own as tenants in common.

Common mistakes

  • Signing before the witness arrives, then asking them to sign anyway
  • A witness who leaves out their address
  • Backdating it to the day you bought
  • Only one owner signing

Any of these gives the other owner an argument later. Getting them right costs nothing.

Sources

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