What is Witness?

A third party who observes a signing and signs the document themselves to attest that the signer's consent was given knowingly.

A witness is a person, not party to the contract, who watches the signer execute the document and then signs the document themselves to record that they observed it. Some jurisdictions require a witness for specific contracts (wills, certain deeds, statutory declarations). Witnessing can happen in person or remotely via video. PDF Verified supports a "Witness" signer role and captures the witness's identity, signature, and timestamp on the same audit trail.

Drop your document here and sign it now. PDF, Word and Excel all work: a .docx or .xlsx is laid out in your browser exactly as it was written, so there is nothing to convert first. Add a signature, a date, a company stamp or a watermark, then download it sealed. Free to start, no account, and the file is never uploaded to open it.

When a witness is required

English-law deeds (typically), wills in most common-law jurisdictions, certain real-estate transfers, statutory declarations, affidavits. Each jurisdiction has specific rules on who can witness (usually adult, not party to the contract, not closely related).

Remote witnessing

Since COVID, most jurisdictions accept video witnessing for documents that previously required physical presence. PDF Verified can include a video-call link in the witness's invitation or capture a witness session that's tied to the audit trail.

Witness vs notary

A witness simply observes and attests. A notary additionally verifies identity and applies a formal seal, usually a statutory officer or solicitor. PDF Verified supports notary roles on Enterprise via TSP partner integration.

What PDF Verified is, and what it is not

Electronic signature law is settled in broad terms and specific in the details. The ESIGN Act, UETA, eIDAS and their equivalents recognise electronic signatures across more than 190 countries, and what decides a particular case is intent to sign plus evidence connecting the signature to the signer, which is what the audit certificate records. Certain document types carry their own formalities wherever you are: deeds, wills, some property instruments, and anything requiring a witness or a notary. Sign only what you are authorised to sign, since applying another person signature without their authority is forgery whatever tool is used.

PDF Verified is a tool for preparing, signing, stamping and checking documents. It is not a law firm, a compliance service or a forensic examiner, and nothing here is legal, financial or compliance advice. Requirements differ by country, by document type and by the party asking, so check what applies to your document before you rely on it, and take advice where the document matters. You are responsible for the documents you create, sign and send, and for having the authority to do so: signing or stamping in somebody else name, or as an organisation you do not represent, is forgery whatever tool is used. To the extent the law allows, we accept no liability for how a document made with this tool is used or relied on. The full position is in our terms of service.