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Feature

Different types of witnesses (and witnessing) Notaries may encounter

A Notary sitting at a desk, writing on a legal document. A signer is ready to sign the document, while a credible identifying witness sits to the right

Updated 10-2-23 with North Carolina information.

The term “witness” has different meanings when it comes to notarization. Sometimes it means a customer wants the Notary to serve as some type of witness. It may mean the signer needs a witness to verify their identity. And sometimes it means a signer wants the Notary to perform a request that is completely outside the Notary’s official duties!

To help clear up confusion, here’s a list of different kinds of witnesses and witnessing Notaries are commonly asked about, along with an explanation of each one.


Credible Identifying Witness

A Notary sitting at a desk, writing on a legal document. A signer is ready to sign the document, while a credible identifying witness sits to the right

What is a Credible Identifying Witness?

A credible identifying witness is a person who vouches for a signer’s identity.

Who can serve as a credible identifying witness?

A credible identifying witness must personally know the signer. In some states, the witness must also know the Notary personally, or the witness must present an ID to the Notary.

What is a Credible Identifying Witness?

A credible identifying witness is a person who vouches for a signer’s identity. Essentially, a credible identifying witness serves as a human ID card.

Who can serve as a credible identifying witness?

A credible identifying witness must personally know the signer. In some states, the witness must also know the Notary personally, or the witness must present an ID to the Notary.

Several states, including California, Florida, Nebraska and North Carolina, do not allow persons to serve as credible identifying witnesses if they have an interest in or benefit from the document being notarized.

For more information, please see “Notary Essentials: Using Credible Identifying Witnesses.”


Subscribing Witness

A Notary sitting at a desk, writing on a legal document, while a subscribing witness sits to the right

What is a Subscribing Witness?

A witness who watches the signing of a document, and who then appears before the Notary in the principal signer’s place.

Who can serve as a subscribing witness?

To serve as a subscribing witness, a person must either have been physically present when the document was originally signed or present for the signer to acknowledge their signature to the witness.

Because of the high potential risk of fraud when using a subscribing witness, some states prohibit their use on certain documents.

What is a Subscribing Witness?

Suppose a document signer cannot personally appear before a Notary to acknowledge their signature on a document. In that case, some states allow a “subscribing witness” to watch the signer sign the document or take the signer’s acknowledgment and appear in the principal signer’s place for the notarization. This is known as “proof of execution by subscribing witness.”

Who can serve as a subscribing witness?

To serve as a subscribing witness, a person must either have been physically present when the document was originally signed or present for the signer to acknowledge their signature to the witness.

Because of the high potential risk of fraud when using a subscribing witness, some states prohibit their use on certain documents. For example, California does not allow proofs of execution by subscribing witness when notarizing any instrument affecting real property. Some states prohibit all use of proofs of execution by subscribing witness. Always check your state laws before agreeing to notarize for a subscribing witness.

For more information, please see “Best Practices Regarding Subscribing Witnesses.”


Signature Witnessing

A Notary who is also performing as a signature witness is shown writing on a legal document, while a signer looks on

What is Signature Witnessing?

A signature witnessing is an official notarial act, though not allowed in all states. To perform a signature witnessing, the Notary must have the signer personally appear and provide satisfactory proof of identity. The signer must then sign the document in the Notary’s presence.

Who can perform a signature witnessing?

A Notary or other officer authorized to perform notarial acts can perform a signature witnessing in the states that allow it.

What is Signature Witnessing?

A signature witnessing is a type of notarial act authorized in many states, including Colorado and Pennsylvania. To perform a signature witnessing, the Notary must have the signer personally appear and provide satisfactory proof of identity. The signer must then sign the document in the Notary’s presence, and the Notary then completes the appropriate notarial wording.

It is very important to be aware that a signature witnessing is NOT the same as an acknowledgment or jurat, though the acts are similar in some aspects. A signature witnessing is different from an acknowledgment in that it requires the document to be signed in the Notary’s presence. A signature witnessing is also different from a jurat because while both acts require the document to be signed in the Notary’s presence, a signature witnessing does not require the Notary to administer an oath or affirmation to the signer. Not all states authorize their Notaries to perform signature witnessings. For more information, please see the article and video “3 Differences Between Acknowledgments And Signature Witnessings.”

Also, a signature witnessing is an official notarial act and is NOT the same as a Notary being asked to witness a document in a non-Notary capacity (see “Document Witness Requests” below).

Who can perform a signature witnessing?

A Notary or other officer authorized to perform notarial acts can perform a signature witnessing in the states that allow it.


Document Witness Requests

A Notary sitting at a desk, writing on a legal document. A signer is ready to sign the document, while a document witness sits to the right

What is a Document Witness Request?

Sometimes when notarizing a document, a Notary or other individual will also be asked to serve as a document witness. Acting as a document witness is not an official notarial act. The Notary acts as a private individual to witness someone signing the document, in addition to officially notarizing.

Are Notaries allowed to serve as document witnesses while also notarizing?

Only in some states, and under certain conditions.

What is a Document Witness Request?

Sometimes when notarizing a document, a Notary or other individual will also be asked to serve as a document witness. Acting as a document witness is not an official notarial act. The Notary is being asked as a private individual to witness someone signing the document, in addition to officially notarizing one or more signatures on the document.

Are Notaries allowed to serve as document witnesses while also notarizing?

Only in some states, and under certain conditions. For example, Florida and South Carolina allow Notaries to also serve as document witnesses, but GeorgiaKansas and North Carolina do not.

Also, If you are asked to sign a document as a private witness, it may create a conflict of interest if you are also requested to notarize other signatures on the same document officially.

In states that don’t provide specific rules, like California and Texas, the safest course is for Notaries to turn down requests to notarize and also act as private document witnesses on the same document.


Signature By Mark Witnesses

A Notary sitting at a desk, writing on a legal document. A signer is ready to sign the document, while two signature by mark witnesses sit to the right

What is a signature by mark?

A signature by mark is when a signer who cannot write their name signs a document using a mark such as “X” instead, and has the mark notarized. Several states require one or more witnesses to be present when the signer makes the mark.

Who can serve as a witness to a signature by mark?

It depends on your state’s Notary laws. Some states require witnesses to have no interest in the document being notarized. Michigan and Ohio allow the Notary to serve as witnesses to a signature by mark.

What is a signature by mark?

A signature by mark is when a signer who cannot write their name signs a document using a mark such as “X” instead and has the mark notarized. Several states require one or more witnesses to be present when the signer makes the mark, and it’s a common practice to have one of the witnesses print the signer’s name next to the mark.

Who can serve as a witness to a signature by mark?

This depends on your state’s Notary laws. For example, Arkansas requires a single witness with no interest in the document, but Florida requires two disinterested witnesses. Michigan and Ohio allow the Notary to serve as one of the witnesses to a signature by mark while notarizing. Always be sure you have met any state requirements for witnesses before notarizing a signature by mark. See this article about signatures by mark for more information.

David Thun is the Assistant Managing Editor at the National Notary Association.

50 Comments

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Lee A Jones

09 Apr 2021

In Texas, I have a Trust. The document has verbiage at the bottom for signature for witness #1 and witness #2. It is my understanding that Texas requires witnesses for Wills, but not Trust.

National Notary Association

12 Apr 2021

Hello. Nonattorney Notaries are not authorized to provide legal advice or answer legal questions regarding the required content for a signer's document. If the signer has a question or concern about the content or requirements of the document, the signer should contact a qualified attorney for assistance.

Terri Shannon

12 Apr 2021

It seems like questions posed are not from the point of view of professionals. If you take what a Notary does as a profession then it’s your JOB and Business to witness signatures, it is what we do. I can’t imagine standing in front of a judge and stating under oath for one signature I put on a private person hat and for the other signature I followed all the laws and procedures of my profession (I try to always consider “what would a judge expect “).

Jean Ladd

12 Apr 2021

Would like further explanations of the types of witnesses and more examples.

National Notary Association

13 Apr 2021

Hello. You can click on the links in the article above for additional information on the different types of witnesses and witnessing listed.

V Anderson

12 Apr 2021

Excellent information in a simplfied manner.

Linda

12 Apr 2021

What is a witness closing with fax backs. Is it returning the entire closing document? Or just the page witnessed.

National Notary Association

13 Apr 2021

Hello. A witness closing typically refers to a requirements where witnesses need to be present at the time of closing. The witnesses are provided by the signer(s). A fax back refers to certain critical documents being fax to the lender after the closing, but before they are shipped back. The pages that consist of a fax back are up to the lender (or title co) and what should be faxed back should be listed in the directions to Notary pages provided with the assignment.

Angel Rodriguez

15 Apr 2021

I understand that we are not supposed to give legal advice but that answer to everything makes no sense. Just because we are not lawyers does not mean that we don't train and know what is and isn't allowed in our states. As a signing agent in Florida, it is commonly known that the state requires witness for deeds only. It's even written in instructions we receive in packets but telling someone something that us black and white written is practicing law and we aren't supposed to say anything? No instructions ever have stated what lawyer wrote them. I have only seen ***1*** in over 400 signings where the forms weren't completely templated and witness lines are always there for no reason. The technicalities are NEVER adhered to by companies. Telling us we aren't to say anything if a signer asks is they need a witness makes no sense, it's like we aren't to have knowledge in what we do. Others have argued this in other posts. The neutrality that you advise we are forced into and makes no intellectual sense.

Sharon Olson

30 Nov 2021

I have documents with a place for witness signatures. Must these witnesses present when I get the documents notarized?

National Notary Association

01 Dec 2021

Hello. The signer would need to contact the agency that issued the document to request instructions about any witness requirements for the document.

mhill3771@gmail.com

27 Dec 2021

HI, I have a family member who needs a power of attorney along with other medical documents notarized. I was told that he will need 2 witnesses. We have the 2 witnesses, my question is what will the witnesses need to provide? Or are they just witnessing that he is the actual signer of the documents? I just became a notary, and I couldn't find what I was looking for on the site. I also haven't seen the documents yet, so if there are places for both witnesses to sign, does he need to contact the agency that issued the document to request instructions? Thank you

National Notary Association

28 Dec 2021

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone to discuss the situation with them in more detail. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

SABRINA JACAL

31 Jan 2022

@angel rodriguez You hit the nail on the head. I want to commend you for stepping up and acknowledging the elephant in the room!!! Attorney's are so afraid we're going to take their clients! When proceedural acts do not constitute legal advice. But there are those who use that excuse to not be informed in our profession enough to know the REAL difference. Thanks Angel you rock!!!

meglarue319@gmail.com

16 Mar 2022

A few years ago i became POA for my two disabled children. I was told we needed to have two witnesses present to sign. Now i am taking my notary exam tomorrow, but after reading through the book again I couldn't find anywhere that stated a document to be notarized, required 2 seperate witness signatures. I then looked up POA in PA and it stated that the signatures were required. How would I know that?

National Notary Association

17 Mar 2022

Hello. Any questions about witness requirements for preparing and signing a power of attorney would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

Emma Castiglione

27 May 2022

Can Florida Notaries use subscribing witness(proofs of execution)? I’m having a lot of trouble finding a solid answer.

National Notary Association

02 Jun 2022

Hello. Proof of execution by subscribing witness is not an authorized notarial act in Florida.

Tara

15 Jun 2022

I have a person and 2 witnesses needing a self-proving affidavit (for a will in NYS) notarized. Am I correct in the following: the affidavit needs to be filled out by them including a date although there is no spot for a date. I check ID of all 3, administer oaths to all 3, they all sign. I fill out my journal entry. I then fill out the Notarial certificate. Do I need to stamp it 3 times because there were 3 oaths given? And can it all go in one journal entry?

National Notary Association

24 Jun 2022

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone to discuss the situation directly with them. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Tammy

07 Jul 2022

This is for a witness signing for a property in Florida. Most of the time the when I check to see if a witness, in addition to me as the notary, is not required. When witnesses are required, the signer's provide their own witnesses, which are usually neighbors. I've been asked to provide a witness for a seller signing. Does this level of witness have the same requirements as the other forms, which do not allow for family members or anyone who would benefit from the transaction. My nephew has offered to be the witness (college graduate with no connection to my business), but I question if this is appropriate as he is my family. Wanted to double check this scenario.

National Notary Association

08 Jul 2022

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Keith

15 Jul 2022

Can a notary witness a signature via TEAMS/ZOOM or other virtual means, where they would not have to b physically in the same place as the signer?

National Notary Association

19 Jul 2022

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are commissioned in?

Keith

20 Jul 2022

I am actually asking relative to employees I have in TX, WA and GA.

National Notary Association

28 Jul 2022

Hello. None of the states you listed permit the process you are describing. For more information on their RON requirements, please see here-Texas (https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/remote-online-notary/how-to-become-a-remote-online-notary/texas); Washington (https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/remote-online-notary/how-to-become-a-remote-online-notary/washington). Georgia's temporary remote notarization provisions expired April 15, 2022, and have not been renewed.

Stella Phillips

20 Oct 2022

In Virginia can a notary, notarize and witness a will?

National Notary Association

21 Oct 2022

Hello. Please see here for more information: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/about-notaries/tips-tutorials/notarize-wills

J G Elliott

10 Mar 2023

In Texas can a recipient in a Will also be a witness who provided one of the two witness signatures?

National Notary Association

13 Mar 2023

Hello. We're sorry, but that is a legal question that would need to be answered by a qualified attorney.

margie

28 Mar 2023

hi does it matter what side of the page witnesses sign on? (left, right, or center) thank you

National Notary Association

28 Mar 2023

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Lissette Lopez

24 Jul 2023

Can I as a notary public offer signature witness services in the state of Kentucky? Can I notarize the same document I am witnessing for?

National Notary Association

25 Jul 2023

Hello. Kentucky prohibits Notaries from notarizing when the Notary is a party to the document. “A notarial officer shall not perform a notarial act with respect to a record to which the notarial officer … is a party, or in which … [he or she] has a direct beneficial interest. A notarial act performed in violation of this subsection is voidable” (KRS 423.310[4]). If you were named in the document as a separate witness or signed the document as a separate witness, you should not notarize the document as well. Also, Kentucky has restrictions regarding Notaries and witnesses for advanced directives: “The following persons shall not serve as a witness, a notary public, or other person authorized to administer oaths to the signing of an advance directive: “(a) The grantor's current health care provider or a relative of the current health care provider; and “(b) An owner, operator, employee, or relative of an owner or operator of a health facility in which the grantor is a client or resident, unless the owner, operator, employee, or relative serves as a notary public” (KRS 202A.422[3]).

Geneva Wilkerson

25 Jul 2023

I have documents in a sellers package and that say “signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of: “ then my signature, and then my commission expiration. is that sealed with my notary seal? There’s no state there’s no county. I’m a member of NNA.

National Notary Association

26 Jul 2023

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT)

Brent

11 Aug 2023

Can an insurance agent be a subscribing witness for a client in an extreme rural area, or a bed-ridden client? If so, does this mean they can get a form signed by the client, then bring the signed form to a notary? If this is so, does the agent/advisor then sign the book of record or no?

National Notary Association

11 Aug 2023

Hello. To help us answer your question, can you please tell us what state you are located in?

1sunflowergirl@gmail.com

24 Aug 2023

In the State of Florida, can a physician be a credible identifying witness?

National Notary Association

05 Sep 2023

Hello. In Florida, if a signer wishes to use one or more credible witnesses as proof of identity, the witnesses must provide the following and meet the following requirements: "The sworn written statement of one credible witness personally known to the notary public or the sworn written statement of two credible witnesses whose identities are proven to the notary public upon the presentation of satisfactory evidence that each of the following is true: “a. That the person whose signature is to be notarized is the person named in the document; “b. That the person whose signature is to be notarized is personally known to the witnesses; “c. That it is the reasonable belief of the witnesses that the circumstances of the person whose signature is to be notarized are such that it would be very difficult or impossible for that person to obtain another acceptable form of identification; “d. That it is the reasonable belief of the witnesses that the person whose signature is to be notarized does not possess any of the identification documents specified in subparagraph 2.; and “e. That the witnesses do not have a financial interest nor are parties to the underlying transaction" (FS 117.05[5]).

Felicia Wills

22 Sep 2023

Can a witness for a durable POA be related to the notary? Tx.

National Notary Association

26 Sep 2023

Hello. That is a question that would need to be answered by an attorney.

Elliott

12 Oct 2023

Can non-US citizens be the witness for a notarized signing process? I am a US citizen living in Europe and my wife and most of my friends who I would use as witnesses are not US citizens, so finding two US citizens to notarize a document would be challenging. I am not a notary but am simply getting a document notarized online.

National Notary Association

12 Oct 2023

Hello. You would need to contact an attorney to ask if there are any citizenship requirements for witnesses with the document in question.

June Siegel-Hill

06 Dec 2023

I'm in VA where Signature Witnessing is not allowed. Try telling a signing service that though. They think you're crazy. I had to notarize for a GA property and they just didn't understand that I couldn't notarize it. They told me to just stamp and sign, and if I wanted to, I could attach an Acknowledgement to it. That doesn't solve anything. It just means the title company would discard my Acknowledgement. So what is the answer, to never do signings for Georgia properties?

Amber Wallace

18 Jan 2024

In Texas, can the client's attorney's husband witness a relinquishment that was drafted by the attorney?

National Notary Association

19 Jan 2024

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Nick Reiher

02 Mar 2024

I am in Illinois. Can a witness, in this case an attesting clerk, sign and affix a seal before the executive signs the resolution or ordinance?

National Notary Association

04 Mar 2024

Based on what you’ve described, we think it would be best if you contacted our Hotline team by phone and provided them with a more detailed description of the situation. The NNA Hotline: 1-888-876-0827 Mon – Fri: 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (PT) Saturday: 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PT) If you’re not an NNA Member or Hotline Subscriber, they will provide you with a one-time courtesy call.

Charlene Walters

21 Mar 2024

I used to work in a nursing home, and a lot of times people could no longer sign. (Also at hospitals). In which case, sometimes I will take a picture or video of person marking/signing it. In addition, I will have the persons present witnesses and family members, sign my Document of Testament to insure mark/signature for those in another state or country.

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