Can the Notary Also Serve as a Witness?

Most states allow a notary to also sign as a witness, but a handful prohibit it for specific document types — especially wills and deeds.

In most jurisdictions, a notary may also serve as an attesting witness. The notary signs once as a witness and again as the notary public, with separate signature lines.

Key exceptions: Florida prohibits the notary from witnessing a will they also notarize. Louisiana applies civil-law rules that effectively require independent witnesses. Several states bar the notary from witnessing documents in which they have a financial interest.

For real estate deeds, two witnesses are required in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Vermont, Connecticut, and Arkansas. The notary may count as one in most of these states — confirm with current statute.