Witness
A witness is a person who watches someone sign a document and then signs it themselves, confirming that the signing happened and who did it.
Updated November 5, 2026 · 1 min read
When you need one
Most contracts don't need a witness. Wills almost always do, typically two people who don't benefit from the will, and some states require witnesses on deeds or certain powers of attorney. Outside the US the rules vary more: in England and Wales, a deed signed by an individual needs a witness who attests the signature. Where a witness is optional, one still gives you a second person who can say what happened.
What a good witness does
- Is an adult with no stake in the document.
- Watches the actual signing, not a signature that's already on the page.
- Signs and prints their name, with the date and often their address, in an attestation block.
Witnessing with SignMaster
Add the witness as a second signer after the main signer in the signing order, with their own signature and name fields. If they must be physically present, use in-person signing so both sign on the same device, one after the other. Whether an electronic witness counts for a will or a deed depends on local law, so check first.
Questions? Answers.
Can a family member witness a contract?
Often, for ordinary contracts, but avoid anyone who benefits from the document. For wills and deeds, many places rule out beneficiaries and their spouses.