For appointments completed through B. Elise Notary Services, witnesses should be independent individuals who do not have a beneficial or financial interest in the transaction.

As a business practice, we recommend that witnesses not be the signer’s parent, spouse, or child. Certain documents have specific witness restrictions. For example, Florida's requirements for a living will provide that at least one of the two subscribing witnesses must be neither the principal's spouse nor a blood relative. Florida Notary Commission

We also recommend using witnesses who are clearly independent from the transaction whenever possible. In our experience, recording offices may scrutinize documents when a witness appears to have a close relationship to a signer, including situations involving matching last names.

Because witness requirements vary by document, any specific requirements contained in the document or imposed by applicable law must also be followed.

If you do not have appropriate witnesses available, B. Elise Notary Services can coordinate independent witnesses for an additional fee.