Who makes a good witness
An independent adult who knows you: a friend, a neighbour or someone you work with. They need to be 18 or over, not your partner or a relative, and not living at your address, because GOV.UK warns that some organisations will not accept a witness who is a close relative or who shares your home. A solicitor can witness a deed poll but is not needed, and a professional witness carries no extra weight.
Use two if you can. The law needs one attesting witness, but GOV.UK's wording names two, our deeds have space for two, and two is what organisations expect to see: ideally two people from two different households. One witness or two? and can a married couple both witness it? go into the detail.
What your witness does
They watch you sign, then sign in their own space on the deed and write their full name, address and occupation underneath. They are confirming only that they saw you sign: not your identity, not your choice of name. Both of you have to be in the room, and every signature goes on the paper deed in wet ink. How to sign and witness your deed poll walks through it.
Signing a child's deed poll
A child under 16 does not sign. The parent who applied signs on the child's behalf, in front of two witnesses, in exactly the same way, and the same rules apply to those witnesses. A young person of 16 or 17 signs their own deed.
Questions people ask
Can a family member witness a deed poll?
It is best not to. GOV.UK warns that some organisations will not accept a witness who is a close relative or who lives at your address, and related by marriage still counts, so a parent, brother, sister, in-law or partner is best avoided. Ask a friend, neighbour or colleague instead.
Can my partner witness my deed poll?
No. Your husband, wife or partner is not independent of you, and usually shares your address, which GOV.UK warns some organisations will not accept.
Does a deed poll need to be witnessed?
Yes. A deed is valid only if it is signed in front of a witness who attests it, under section 1 of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989. GOV.UK's wording has two witnesses, and ours has space for two.
Can someone witness my deed poll over a video call?
No. A witness has to be in the room, watching you sign, and every signature goes on the paper deed in wet ink. Can I sign a deed poll digitally? explains why.
Does my witness need to be a solicitor?
No. HM Passport Office's guidance to its staff says the witness need not be a solicitor or a commissioner for oaths. A friend is as good as a solicitor.
Something else? Ask us, and a person replies by email, normally the same working day.
