Unique Feature — Most Competitors Don't Offer This

Witness Signing for
Electronic Documents

The only Australian eSignature platform with built-in witness signing mode. Execute deeds, statutory declarations, and affidavits electronically — with a legally compliant witness workflow and tamper-proof audit trail.

What Is Witness Signing and Why Does It Matter?

In Australian law, certain documents must be signed in the presence of an independent witness to be legally valid. The witness observes the signer executing the document and then applies their own signature to confirm they witnessed the act. This requirement exists to prevent fraud, coercion, and disputes about whether a signature is genuine.

Traditionally, witness signing required all parties to be physically present. But with reforms to the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 and state legislation — many accelerated during COVID-19 and since made permanent — electronic witnessing is now accepted for a wide range of Australian legal documents.

SignAndGo is one of the few eSignature platforms that supports witness signing natively. Most competitors like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, and HelloSign don't offer a dedicated witness workflow — forcing businesses to use workarounds that lack proper audit trails.

Australian Legal Requirements for Witnessed Signatures

Different document types have different witnessing requirements. Here's what Australian law requires.

Deeds

Deeds require execution in the presence of a witness under Australian common law and state property legislation. SignAndGo's sequential signing flow ensures the witness signs after the executing party, with full timestamp verification.

Statutory Declarations

Under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth) and state equivalents, stat decs must be witnessed by an authorised person. Several states now permit electronic witnessing via audio-visual link with a compliant eSignature platform.

Affidavits

Affidavits must be sworn or affirmed before an authorised witness. NSW, Victoria, and Queensland have enacted permanent provisions allowing affidavits to be witnessed electronically via audio-visual link in certain circumstances.

Powers of Attorney

Enduring powers of attorney and general powers of attorney require witness signatures in all Australian jurisdictions. Electronic witnessing provisions vary by state but are increasingly accepted with proper audit trails.

How SignAndGo's Witness Mode Works

A simple, legally compliant workflow designed for Australian businesses.

1

Upload & Assign Roles

Upload your document and add recipients. Designate which signers are primary signers and which are witnesses.

2

Primary Signer Signs

The primary signer receives an email notification, reviews the document, and applies their signature on any device.

3

Witness Reviews & Co-signs

The witness is notified once the primary signer has signed. They review the executed document and apply their witness signature.

4

Audit Trail Sealed

SignAndGo generates a tamper-proof audit trail with timestamps, IP addresses, and identity verification for both signer and witness.

In-Person Mode Available

For situations where the signer and witness are in the same room — such as law offices, real estate settlements, or medical consultations — SignAndGo's in-person signing mode allows both parties to sign on the same device in sequence. No need for separate emails.

Industries That Need Witness Signing

If your industry regularly handles documents that require witnessed execution, SignAndGo saves you hours of coordination and paper handling.

Legal

Deeds, statutory declarations, affidavits, powers of attorney, and court documents that require witnessed execution.

Real Estate

Property transfers, section 32 vendor statements, leases over 3 years, and settlement documents requiring witnessed signatures.

Financial Services

Loan agreements, guarantees, mortgage documents, and financial product disclosures that require independent witnessing.

Government

Statutory declarations, Commonwealth and state forms, grant agreements, and regulatory filings requiring witnessed execution.

Corporate

Company deeds, director resolutions, share transfer forms, and partnership agreements requiring witnessed signatures.

Healthcare

Advance care directives, enduring powers of attorney, patient consent forms, and clinical trial agreements.

Court-Ready Audit Trail

Every witnessed document includes a comprehensive, tamper-proof audit trail that meets Australian evidentiary standards.

Signer identity (name, email, IP address)
Witness identity (name, email, IP address)
Precise timestamps for each action (AEST)
Document hash (SHA-256) for tamper detection
Sequential signing order verification
Geolocation data for each signing event
Browser and device information
Complete action log (viewed, signed, completed)

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Using Witness Signing Today

Join Australian law firms, real estate agencies, and businesses using SignAndGo for legally compliant witnessed electronic signatures. 5 free envelopes, no credit card required.