Provided Witness
If your document needs witnesses, bring your own (free) or add witnesses when you book, at least 24 hours ahead. Any witness we supply is disinterested. A Provided Witness is an adult who is not named in and does not benefit from your documents, $25 per witness. Witnesses are free if you bring your own.
When do my documents need witnesses?
Only some documents need witnesses. Common Florida examples:
- Florida requires two witnesses for deeds (s. 689.01) and wills (s. 732.502). A power of attorney needs two witnesses plus notarization (s. 709.2105). Not every real estate or loan document needs witnesses; follow the instructions from your title company, lender or attorney.
- A will itself is not notarized. Only the optional self-proving affidavit is notarized (s. 732.503), and in that case the notary cannot also be one of the witnesses.
- Health care surrogate designations need two adult witnesses. At least one must not be the signer's spouse or blood relative, and the person named as surrogate cannot be a witness (s. 765.202).
- Living wills need two witnesses. At least one must not be the signer's spouse or blood relative (s. 765.302).
- If a signer cannot write a full signature, signing by mark is allowed with two disinterested witnesses (s. 117.05(14)). Tell us when you book.
- Witnesses should not be named in or benefit from the document.
- I cannot tell you whether your specific document needs witnesses. Ask the person who prepared it.
Booking a Provided Witness
For documents that need witnesses. Every witness we supply is disinterested: not named in and not benefiting from your documents. Witnesses can be booked only 24 hours or more ahead. Free if you bring your own witnesses. If we cannot supply a booked witness, the witness fee is refunded in full. Witnesses can be booked online only 24 hours or more ahead.
What to bring
- Know how many witnesses your document needs. Check the document or ask the attorney who prepared it. I cannot advise on this.
- If a witness's own signature will be notarized, for example on a will's self-proving affidavit, that witness needs an accepted ID too.
- Witnesses you bring should not be named in or benefit from the document.