What does a certificate of witness ensure?

A certificate of witness serves to confirm that an individual has actually observed the signing of a document by the signer. This is crucial in legal contexts because it provides assurance that the signing was executed in the presence of a witness who can later attest to the legitimacy of the act. The credibility of the witness, along with their ability to provide testimony about the event, adds a layer of trust to the document being signed, which can be essential in disputes regarding validity.

The other choices focus on different aspects of legal requirements but do not accurately express the primary function of a certificate of witness. For instance, confirming a signer's legal age or residency pertains to different elements of notarization but is not the main role of the certificate itself. Similarly, ensuring all documents are in order is a distinct consideration related to document management and organization, rather than specifically about witnessing the act of signing. Thus, identifying an individual as having observed the signing is the core element of what a certificate of witness achieves.