# Can a notary witness and notarize the same document? **URL:** \ **Category:** Looking For Advice\ **Created:** [June 20, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422 "2024-06-20T18:14:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![outstandingnotary23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/outstandingnotary23/32/35259_2.png) [@outstandingnotary23](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/outstandingnotary23)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422/1 "2024-06-20T18:14:13Z")
Hello everyone 🙂 I am a New York notary, and I’ve been approached by numerous signing services to act as a witness for the documents I notarize. When two witnesses are required, I’m asked to bring a second witness as I serve as the first one 🤔. This made me uncomfortable 🙄, so I took it upon myself to educate and familiarize myself with the notary laws of each state before providing my signature. Upon my research, I found that the states of Connecticut and Florida were clear in their regulations. Still, other states such as California, Oregon, and Texas have not provided any specific rules 😟. I’m feeling quite discouraged and would appreciate some advice. . ---
**Author:** ![phillips.lisa82](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/phillips.lisa82/32/33526_2.png) [@phillips.lisa82](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/phillips.lisa82)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422/2 "2024-06-20T19:46:31Z")
In PA, the notary can not witness on the same document being notarized. I require two witnesses for those situations and push back when Title tries to force the issue. ---
**Author:** ![ewing\_joe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/ewing_joe/32/33581_2.png) [@ewing\_joe](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/ewing_joe)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422/3 "2024-06-21T14:47:05Z")
The issue is whether you can be both the individual who verified the signer using adequate proof and the observer who witnessed them signing. It appears logical, right? I believe the complication dates back to historical times when the person receiving payment (notary) may now have a financial stake, whereas the witness does not. Usually you are only there because you were hired by a Title company or one of their notary vendors. They will advise on how to proceed. ---
**Author:** ![outstandingnotary23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/outstandingnotary23/32/35259_2.png) [@outstandingnotary23](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/outstandingnotary23)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422/4 "2024-06-22T19:36:47Z")
Unfortunately, things don’t work smoothly with signing service or title, they get annoyed and frustrated with me, and tell me I shouldn’t have accepted in the first place. I try my best to work the situation but I hate to keep dealing with it. ---
**Author:** ![outstandingnotary23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/outstandingnotary23/32/35259_2.png) [@outstandingnotary23](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/outstandingnotary23)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422/5 "2024-06-22T19:40:52Z")
I agree with you! sometimes I deal with people who don’t think logically and lack common sense ---
**Author:** ![christian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@christian](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/christian)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2024, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422/6 "2024-06-24T20:22:15Z")
In Texas anyway - The way I understand this is that if you don’t have to notarize the witness signature then you may act as a witness. You can’t notarize your own signature obviously. Texas SOS (at least who I spoke with) confirmed this to be the case. ---
**Author:** ![stamped.inked](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/stamped.inked/32/31492_2.png) [@stamped.inked](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/stamped.inked)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422/7 "2024-08-12T18:33:40Z")
Push back and charge more. ---
**Author:** ![NC\_Mike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.notarycafe.com/nc_mike/32/54_2.png) [@NC\_Mike](https://forum.notarycafe.com/u/NC_Mike)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://forum.notarycafe.com/t/can-a-notary-witness-and-notarize-the-same-document/46422/8 "2024-11-10T18:33:46Z")
Closed on November 10, 2024, 6:33pm UTC This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.