Witnesses

There are different times during a notarization when witnesses will be required. See the circumstances and requirements below.

Document Witnesses

There are different documents that may require both a notary and witnesses, just witnesses or just a notary. For document witnesses, please keep in mind that most of the time, the witnesses must know signers but run no risk of benefiting from the document. Example: No children, inlaws, etc., of POA signer.

Here are some that you might run into:

  • Power of attorney- will require a notary and two witnesses or just two witnesses or a notary.

  • California Living Will- Does not require a notary but does require witnesses.

Identity Witnesses

Witnesses can be used in place of current identification. In this case, there are two options.

  1. Credible Witness: This person knows the signers and me, the notary

  2. Two Credible Witnesses: These two people know the signer but will not benefit from the document being signed.

Subscribing Witness

This is a very unique and specific type of witness. A subscribing witness is used when Proof of Execution by a Subscribing Witness is taking place. What that means is that the document's signer can not be present at the notarization, and a subscribing witness is assigned to swear to have witnessed or confirmed the signer's signature. At the signing appointment, the notary and a credible witness must know the subscribing witness. That means both of them have to know me. It sounds tricky but it really is not, just quite unique.

All Signers and Witnesses need current and valid IDs. For more information on what qualifies as an acceptable ID, check out this page.

I can act as a witness to a signing as long as;

  1. I am not notarizing the document I am witnessing

  2. I am not required to know the signers

    You can book my services as a witness here.