How to get your signature witnessed remotely

How to get your signature witnessed remotely

I need a witness for my form, but we can't connect in person.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Governor Cuomo has issued an Executive Order to allow witnessing of legal documents without needing to be in person.

This is called virtual witnessing or e-witnessing. This option will be available at least until August 5. If you plan to use this option after August 5, check this page for updates.

In order to get your signature witnessed remotely you will need to have access to the following:

• a smartphone with a camera OR a computer with a webcam
• a scanner and email OR a fax machine
• one or two witnesses

Check the form to see if you need one or two witnesses. You will also need to have access to the instructions that go with the form you are signing. Some forms have specific instructions for signing and sending.

Sending the form

Once you sign the form, you will need to send it the witnesses. There are three ways to send most forms:

• Fax
• Scan the document and email  
• Take a photo of the document with your phone and send it as a text or email

Some forms cannot be sent via text message. Check the form instructions.

I am ready to connect with my witnesses and sign my form. What do I do next?

Use the following instructions along with the form instructions to make sure you are completing the form properly.

Step 1. Use your computer and/or phone to connect virtually to one or two witnesses.

If your form requires two witnesses, they do not need to be together, and they do not need to be able to see and hear each other.

Each witness must be able to see and hear you. If you do not know them personally, show them your photo ID.

Step 2. When the witnesses are watching you, date and sign the form in the space for your signature. You may now disconnect from the video.

Step 3. On the same day you signed the document, fax, text or email a scan or photo of the page that has a place for witness signatures to Witness 1. Witness 1 should print, sign, then fax, or email or text a scan or photo back to you.

If your form requires two witnesses, also on the same day you signed the document, fax, text or email a scan or photo of the page with Witness 1’s signature on it to Witness 2.

Witness 2 should print, sign, then fax, or text or email a scan or photo of the page showing both their signature and Witness 1’s signature on it back to you.

Step 4. Print the page that shows your signature and both witness’s signatures.

Take out the pages that are not complete and in their place, add the page with both witnesses signatures into the document.

Keep the pages you took out for your records. Check the form instructions to see what to do next.

Step 5 (Optional). You can get original witness signatures within 30 days of the signing of your document.

Within 30 days of signing, send or give to Witness 1:

• the completed form with your signature and
• the page that you faxed, emailed or texted that has your signature and witness signature(s)

Witness 1 can then sign the page with your original signature and write the date that they watched you sign the form.

For example, if they signed and scanned their signature to you on May 1st, and they’re signing your original copy on May 15th, the date they will write next to their signature will be May 1st.

Also within 30 days of signing, complete the process with Witness 2. Once you receive the entire document from Witness 1, send Witness 2:

• the completed form with your original signature and Witness 1's original signature
• the page that you faxed, emailed or texted that has your signature and your witnesses’ signatures

What does it mean to get original witness signatures?

If you followed Steps 1 through 4, you were able to print your form with copies of your witnesses signatures on it.

If you would like  your form to have your witness signatures in pen, you can mail the page to them to sign and have them mail it back to you within 30 days of them witnessing you sign it over video.

Getting original witness signatures may help certain legal transactions in the future go more smoothly.