Frequently Asked Questions
Does my document need to be witnessed?Most documents and contracts do not require a witness for them to be legally valid. However, many banks and other institutions have their own internal policies about signing requirements, and may refuse to accept documents that are not witnessed regardless of whether they are legally correct.
If there is a possibility of misunderstandings in the future, or if you are concerned about bureaucratic hold-ups, it may be a good idea to have your document witnessed.Who can be a witness?Generally, the person you choose to witness a document should have no financial or other interest in the agreement. A neutral third party is the best choice. A neutral third party is someone not related to either party and who does not benefit from the contract.
Ideally a witness will observe the parties signing the document and then the witness will sign the document as proof that they witnessed the parties signing. The witness is not usually required to know or understand the contents of the document.