witness signature on contract/release

Factual Questions
1

I’m using a model to photgraph some business stock photos and I have a release form for him to sign. However, I don’t have anybody around to be the witness on the form this afternoon. Do I need one? Can I be my own witness? Shall I just photograph him holding the signed form up to his face? :dubious:

Thanks. (Oh, in the USA if that matters.)

2

I’ve signed lots of model releases and don’t recall their ever being a requirement for a witness.

I’ve also signed many legal documents as the witness, and in that case, the assignor or assignee cannot also be the witness. It has to be a third party.

Are you just using a standard model release and are you sure there’s a line for witness signature?

3

Hi. I found several contracts on line for model and product releases. Most model releases don’t have witness line, but some do. Maybe it varies by state?

4

You can use any passer-by as a witness to a signature. They are not attesting to anything other than having seen the document being signed. They usually have no way of proving the bona fides of the signatory.

Australian here.