{"asset": "real-estate-deed-witness-requirements-by-state", "asset_type": "jurisdictional-variation", "body": "A deed recorded without the witnesses its state requires can be rejected by the county recorder or, worse, held defective after the fact. Free notary-industry blogs repeat a consistent list of five witness states (Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina) but none of the ones checked here cites the actual statute section, and they disagree with each other on the details: how many witnesses, and whether the notary can double as one. Georgia is the case they garble \u2014 its statute requires an attesting officer plus one other witness, and a second section says that officer may be a notary public, so the two blog answers ('two witnesses, notary cannot be one' and 'all require two except Georgia') are both wrong in different directions. This asset states each state's requirement in its own statute's words, quoted verbatim, together with the statute's own limits and alternatives \u2014 because in three of the five the witness rule is not absolute. Answers 'does a deed need witnesses', 'how many witnesses for a deed', 'can a notary be a witness on a deed'. These five states are the ones checked; the asset makes no claim about the other 45, which have not been read here.\n", "description": "A deed recorded without the witnesses its state requires can be rejected by the county recorder or, worse, held defective after the fact. Free notary-industry blogs repeat a consistent list of five witness states (Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina) but none of the ones checked here cites the actual statute section, and they disagree with each other on the details: how many witnesses, and whether the notary can double as one. Georgia is the case they garble \u2014 its statute requires an attesting officer plus one other witness, and a second section says that officer may be a notary public, so the two blog answers ('two witnesses, notary cannot be one' and 'all require two except Georgia') are both wrong in different directions. This asset states each state's requirement in its own statute's words, quoted verbatim, together with the statute's own limits and alternatives \u2014 because in three of the five the witness rule is not absolute. Answers 'does a deed need witnesses', 'how many witnesses for a deed', 'can a notary be a witness on a deed'. These five states are the ones checked; the asset makes no claim about the other 45, which have not been read here.", "file": "index.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-09-02", "key_field": "jurisdiction", "licence": "unknown", "sources": ["https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_821.htm#sec_47-5", "https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/689.01", "https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-44-property/ga-code-sect-44-5-30/", "https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-44-property/ga-code-sect-44-2-15/", "https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109072", "https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109078", "https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t30c005.php"], "stale_after": "2028-09-01", "title": "Real estate deed witness requirements by US state \u2014 quoted from the state's own statute", "type": "dataset", "verified": false}
{"asset": "real-estate-deed-witness-requirements-by-state", "body": "**State:** Connecticut\n\n**Witness requirement:** attested to by two witnesses with their own hands\n\n**Statute:** Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 47-5(a)(4)\n\n> Sec. 47-5. Requirements re conveyances of land. Conveyance pursuant to power of attorney. (a) All conveyances of land shall be: (1) In writing;\n\n> Sec. 47-5. Requirements re conveyances of land. Conveyance pursuant to power of attorney. (a) All conveyances of land shall be: (1) In writing; (2) if the grantor is (A) a natural person, subscribed, with or without a seal, by the grantor with his own hand or with his mark with his name annexed to it or by his agent authorized for that purpose by a power (i) executed, acknowledged and witnessed in the manner provided for conveyances, or (ii) executed, acknowledged and witnessed in the same manner provided for in section 1-350d , and subsection (a) of section 1-350r ; or (B) a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, subscribed by a duly authorized person; (3) acknowledged by the grantor, his agent or such duly authorized person (A) to be his free act and deed, or (B) in any manner permitted under chapter 6 or chapter 8; and (4) attested to by two witnesses with their own hands.\n\nSource: <https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_821.htm#sec_47-5>\n", "file": "connecticut.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-09-02", "id": "connecticut", "jurisdiction": "Connecticut", "quote_statute_citation": "Sec. 47-5. Requirements re conveyances of land. Conveyance pursuant to power of attorney. (a) All conveyances of land shall be: (1) In writing;", "source_quote": "Sec. 47-5. Requirements re conveyances of land. Conveyance pursuant to power of attorney. (a) All conveyances of land shall be: (1) In writing; (2) if the grantor is (A) a natural person, subscribed, with or without a seal, by the grantor with his own hand or with his mark with his name annexed to it or by his agent authorized for that purpose by a power (i) executed, acknowledged and witnessed in the manner provided for conveyances, or (ii) executed, acknowledged and witnessed in the same manner provided for in section 1-350d , and subsection (a) of section 1-350r ; or (B) a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, subscribed by a duly authorized person; (3) acknowledged by the grantor, his agent or such duly authorized person (A) to be his free act and deed, or (B) in any manner permitted under chapter 6 or chapter 8; and (4) attested to by two witnesses with their own hands.", "sources": ["https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_821.htm#sec_47-5"], "stale_after": "2028-09-01", "statute_citation": "Conn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 47-5(a)(4)", "title": "Connecticut \u2014 Real estate deed witness requirements by US state \u2014 quoted from the state's own statute", "type": "jurisdictional-variation", "verified": true, "witness_requirement": "attested to by two witnesses with their own hands"}
{"asset": "real-estate-deed-witness-requirements-by-state", "body": "**State:** Florida\n\n**Witness requirement:** signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses\n\n**Limit or alternative:** Any requirement that an instrument be signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses may be satisfied by witnesses being present and electronically signing by means of audio-video communication technology\n\n> Any requirement that an instrument be signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses may be satisfied by witnesses being present and electronically signing by means of audio-video communication technology, as defined in s. 117.201 .\n\n**Statute:** Fla. Stat. \u00a7 689.01(1)\n\n> 689.01 How real estate conveyed. \u2014 (1) No estate or interest of freehold\n\n> 689.01 How real estate conveyed. \u2014 (1) No estate or interest of freehold, or for a term of more than 1 year, or any uncertain interest of, in, or out of any messuages, lands, tenements, or hereditaments shall be created, made, granted, transferred, or released in any manner other than by instrument in writing, signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses by the party creating, making, granting, conveying, transferring, or releasing such estate, interest, or term of more than 1 year, or by the party\u2019s lawfully authorized agent, unless by will and testament, or other testamentary appointment, duly made according to law;\n\nSource: <https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/689.01>\n", "file": "florida.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-09-02", "id": "florida", "jurisdiction": "Florida", "qualification": "Any requirement that an instrument be signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses may be satisfied by witnesses being present and electronically signing by means of audio-video communication technology", "quote_qualification": "Any requirement that an instrument be signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses may be satisfied by witnesses being present and electronically signing by means of audio-video communication technology, as defined in s. 117.201 .", "quote_statute_citation": "689.01 How real estate conveyed. \u2014 (1) No estate or interest of freehold", "source_quote": "689.01 How real estate conveyed. \u2014 (1) No estate or interest of freehold, or for a term of more than 1 year, or any uncertain interest of, in, or out of any messuages, lands, tenements, or hereditaments shall be created, made, granted, transferred, or released in any manner other than by instrument in writing, signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses by the party creating, making, granting, conveying, transferring, or releasing such estate, interest, or term of more than 1 year, or by the party\u2019s lawfully authorized agent, unless by will and testament, or other testamentary appointment, duly made according to law;", "sources": ["https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/689.01"], "stale_after": "2028-09-01", "statute_citation": "Fla. Stat. \u00a7 689.01(1)", "title": "Florida \u2014 Real estate deed witness requirements by US state \u2014 quoted from the state's own statute", "type": "jurisdictional-variation", "verified": true, "witness_requirement": "signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses"}
{"asset": "real-estate-deed-witness-requirements-by-state", "body": "**State:** Georgia\n\n**Witness requirement:** attested by an officer as provided in Code Section 44-2-15, and attested by one other witness\n\n**Limit or alternative:** Any of the instruments enumerated in Code Section 44-2-14 may be attested by a judge of a court of record, including a judge of a municipal court, or by a magistrate, a notary public, or a clerk or deputy clerk of a superior court or of a city court created by special Act of the General Assembly.\n\n> Any of the instruments enumerated in Code Section 44-2-14 may be attested by a judge of a court of record, including a judge of a municipal court, or by a magistrate, a notary public, or a clerk or deputy clerk of a superior court or of a city court created by special Act of the General Assembly.\n\n**Statute:** Georgia Code Title 44. Property \u00a7 44-5-30\n\n> Georgia Code Title 44. Property \u00a7 44-5-30 Current as of March 28, 2024\n\n> Georgia Code Title 44. Property \u00a7 44-5-30 Current as of March 28, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff Except for documents electronically filed as provided for in Chapter 12 of Title 10 and Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of this title, a deed to lands shall be an original document, in writing, signed by the maker, attested by an officer as provided in Code Section 44-2-15 , and attested by one other witness.\n\nSource: <https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-44-property/ga-code-sect-44-5-30/>\n\nAlso cited: <https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-44-property/ga-code-sect-44-2-15/>\n", "file": "georgia.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-09-02", "id": "georgia", "jurisdiction": "Georgia", "qualification": "Any of the instruments enumerated in Code Section 44-2-14 may be attested by a judge of a court of record, including a judge of a municipal court, or by a magistrate, a notary public, or a clerk or deputy clerk of a superior court or of a city court created by special Act of the General Assembly.", "quote_qualification": "Any of the instruments enumerated in Code Section 44-2-14 may be attested by a judge of a court of record, including a judge of a municipal court, or by a magistrate, a notary public, or a clerk or deputy clerk of a superior court or of a city court created by special Act of the General Assembly.", "quote_statute_citation": "Georgia Code Title 44. Property \u00a7 44-5-30 Current as of March 28, 2024", "source_quote": "Georgia Code Title 44. Property \u00a7 44-5-30 Current as of March 28, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff Except for documents electronically filed as provided for in Chapter 12 of Title 10 and Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of this title, a deed to lands shall be an original document, in writing, signed by the maker, attested by an officer as provided in Code Section 44-2-15 , and attested by one other witness.", "sources": ["https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-44-property/ga-code-sect-44-5-30/", "https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-44-property/ga-code-sect-44-2-15/"], "stale_after": "2028-09-01", "statute_citation": "Georgia Code Title 44. Property \u00a7 44-5-30", "title": "Georgia \u2014 Real estate deed witness requirements by US state \u2014 quoted from the state's own statute", "type": "jurisdictional-variation", "verified": true, "witness_requirement": "attested by an officer as provided in Code Section 44-2-15, and attested by one other witness"}
{"asset": "real-estate-deed-witness-requirements-by-state", "body": "**State:** Louisiana\n\n**Witness requirement:** in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by each party who executed it, by each witness, and by each notary public before whom it was executed\n\n**Limit or alternative:** A transfer of immovable property must be made by authentic act or by act under private signature.\n\n> Art. 1839. Transfer of immovable property A transfer of immovable property must be made by authentic act or by act under private signature.\n\n**Statute:** La. Civ. Code art. 1833(A)\n\n> Art. 1833. Authentic act A. An authentic act is a writing\n\n> Art. 1833. Authentic act A. An authentic act is a writing executed before a notary public or other officer authorized to perform that function, in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by each party who executed it, by each witness, and by each notary public before whom it was executed.\n\nSource: <https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109072>\n\nAlso cited: <https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109078>\n", "file": "louisiana.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-09-02", "id": "louisiana", "jurisdiction": "Louisiana", "qualification": "A transfer of immovable property must be made by authentic act or by act under private signature.", "quote_qualification": "Art. 1839. Transfer of immovable property A transfer of immovable property must be made by authentic act or by act under private signature.", "quote_statute_citation": "Art. 1833. Authentic act A. An authentic act is a writing", "source_quote": "Art. 1833. Authentic act A. An authentic act is a writing executed before a notary public or other officer authorized to perform that function, in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by each party who executed it, by each witness, and by each notary public before whom it was executed.", "sources": ["https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109072", "https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=109078"], "stale_after": "2028-09-01", "statute_citation": "La. Civ. Code art. 1833(A)", "title": "Louisiana \u2014 Real estate deed witness requirements by US state \u2014 quoted from the state's own statute", "type": "jurisdictional-variation", "verified": true, "witness_requirement": "in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by each party who executed it, by each witness, and by each notary public before whom it was executed"}
{"asset": "real-estate-deed-witness-requirements-by-state", "body": "**State:** South Carolina\n\n**Witness requirement:** the signing must be acknowledged by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor in the presence of two witnesses\n\n**Limit or alternative:** before any deed or other instrument in writing can be recorded in this State, it must be acknowledged or proved by the method described in subsection (A)(1), (A)(2), or (B)\n\n> SECTION 30-5-30. Prerequisites to recording. Except as otherwise provided by statute, before any deed or other instrument in writing can be recorded in this State, it must be acknowledged or proved by the method described in subsection (A)(1), (A)(2), or (B).\n\n**Statute:** S.C. Code \u00a7 30-5-30(B)\n\n> SECTION 30-5-30. Prerequisites to recording. Except as otherwise provided by statute, before any deed or other instrument in writing can be recorded in this State\n\n> (B) A deed or other instrument must be signed by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor and the signing must be acknowledged by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor in the presence of two witnesses, taken before some officer within this State competent to administer an oath.\n\nSource: <https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t30c005.php>\n", "file": "south-carolina.md", "generated": true, "harvested": "2026-09-02", "id": "south-carolina", "jurisdiction": "South Carolina", "qualification": "before any deed or other instrument in writing can be recorded in this State, it must be acknowledged or proved by the method described in subsection (A)(1), (A)(2), or (B)", "quote_qualification": "SECTION 30-5-30. Prerequisites to recording. Except as otherwise provided by statute, before any deed or other instrument in writing can be recorded in this State, it must be acknowledged or proved by the method described in subsection (A)(1), (A)(2), or (B).", "quote_statute_citation": "SECTION 30-5-30. Prerequisites to recording. Except as otherwise provided by statute, before any deed or other instrument in writing can be recorded in this State", "source_quote": "(B) A deed or other instrument must be signed by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor and the signing must be acknowledged by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor in the presence of two witnesses, taken before some officer within this State competent to administer an oath.", "sources": ["https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t30c005.php"], "stale_after": "2028-09-01", "statute_citation": "S.C. Code \u00a7 30-5-30(B)", "title": "South Carolina \u2014 Real estate deed witness requirements by US state \u2014 quoted from the state's own statute", "type": "jurisdictional-variation", "verified": true, "witness_requirement": "the signing must be acknowledged by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor in the presence of two witnesses"}