Who signs "Witness" line

[daniel_parks]

Most of the examples of model/property releases include a "Witness"

line. Who signs this - me, the photographer, or a dis-interested

third party? (Note: I'm not asking about parental/guardian permission

if the model is under legal age.)

[r_miller1]

First, very, very few documents must be witnessed to be legally effective. Typically, it is only required for documents such as wills, codicils and instruments conveying interests in real property.

 

Although I have not done the research, I would venture to guess that a witness would not be required for a release to be effective in any state. That said, the use can be beneficial and is not likely to carry any detriment. The process can/does add a certain "formality" to the act of the executing the release. Second, IF the genuineness of the releasing person's signature is ever called into questions or IF a question is ever raised as to whether there was any fraud, deception or the like with respect to inducing the releasing person to sign and IF you can locate the Witness, then there may be a benefit.

 

All that said, there would be a preference for the witness to be a person other than the photographer or person to whom the release is granted, i.e., a disinterested person.

 

Best regards,

[ellis_vener_photography]

The witness needs to be a third party who witnesses the the person signing the

release.

[craig_gillette]

Even if not provided for on the front, it would likely be appropriate (but necessarily easy) to "capture" the witness's ID info on the back of the form.