diff --git a/cypress/integration/editorial_workflow_spec.js b/cypress/integration/editorial_workflow_spec.js
index e55151f9..6dcfd5eb 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/editorial_workflow_spec.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/editorial_workflow_spec.js
@@ -4,11 +4,14 @@ describe('Editorial Workflow', () => {
   const entry1 = { title: 'first title', body: 'first body' }
   const entry2 = { title: 'second title', body: 'second body' }
   const entry3 = { title: 'third title', body: 'third body' }
+  const setting1 = { limit: 10, author: 'John Doe' }
+  const setting2 = { name: 'Andrew Wommack', description: 'A Gospel Teacher' }
   const notifications = {
     saved: 'Entry saved',
     published: 'Entry published',
     updated: 'Entry status updated',
     deletedUnpublished: 'Unpublished changes deleted',
+    error: { missingField: 'Oops, you\'ve missed a required field. Please complete before saving.' }
   }
 
   describe('Test Backend', () => {
@@ -27,6 +30,29 @@ describe('Editorial Workflow', () => {
       assertNotification(notifications.saved)
     }
 
+    function validateObjectFields({ limit, author }) {
+      cy.get('a[href^="#/collections/settings"]').click()
+      cy.get('a[href^="#/collections/settings/entries/general"]').click()
+      cy.get('input[type=number]').type(limit);
+      cy.contains('button', 'Save').click()
+      assertNotification(notifications.error.missingField)
+      cy.contains('label', 'Default Author').click()
+      cy.focused().type(author)
+      cy.contains('button', 'Save').click()
+      assertNotification(notifications.saved)
+    }
+
+    function validateListFields({ name, description }) {
+      cy.get('a[href^="#/collections/settings"]').click()
+      cy.get('a[href^="#/collections/settings/entries/authors"]').click()
+      cy.contains('button', 'Add').click()
+      cy.contains('button', 'Save').click()
+      assertNotification(notifications.error.missingField)
+      cy.get('input').eq(2).type(name)
+      cy.get('[data-slate-editor]').eq(2).type(description)
+      cy.contains('button', 'Save').click()
+    }
+
     function exitEditor() {
       cy.contains('a[href^="#/collections/"]', 'Writing in').click()
     }
@@ -70,6 +96,16 @@ describe('Editorial Workflow', () => {
       exitEditor()
     }
 
+    function validateObjectFieldsAndExit(setting) {
+      validateObjectFields(setting)
+      exitEditor()
+    }
+
+    function validateListFieldsAndExit(setting) {
+      validateListFields(setting)
+      exitEditor()
+    }
+
     function goToWorkflow() {
       cy.contains('a', 'Workflow').click()
     }
@@ -172,6 +208,16 @@ describe('Editorial Workflow', () => {
       createPostAndExit(entry1)
     })
 
+    it('can validate object fields', () => {
+      login()
+      validateObjectFieldsAndExit(setting1)
+    })
+
+    it('can validate list fields', () => {
+      login()
+      validateListFieldsAndExit(setting2)
+    })
+
     it('can publish an editorial workflow entry', () => {
       login()
       createPostAndExit(entry1)
diff --git a/dev-test/config.yml b/dev-test/config.yml
index d91d8f1a..3746ffd9 100644
--- a/dev-test/config.yml
+++ b/dev-test/config.yml
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ collections: # A list of collections the CMS should be able to edit
             fields:
               - { label: 'Number of posts on frontpage', name: front_limit, widget: number }
               - { label: 'Default Author', name: author, widget: string }
-              - { label: 'Default Thumbnail', name: thumb, widget: image, class: 'thumb' }
+              - { label: 'Default Thumbnail', name: thumb, widget: image, class: 'thumb', required: false }
 
       - name: 'authors'
         label: 'Authors'
diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/actions/entries.js b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/actions/entries.js
index 2bf48ec6..86d12ea1 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/actions/entries.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/actions/entries.js
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ export const DRAFT_DISCARD = 'DRAFT_DISCARD';
 export const DRAFT_CHANGE = 'DRAFT_CHANGE';
 export const DRAFT_CHANGE_FIELD = 'DRAFT_CHANGE_FIELD';
 export const DRAFT_VALIDATION_ERRORS = 'DRAFT_VALIDATION_ERRORS';
+export const DRAFT_CLEAR_ERRORS = 'DRAFT_CLEAR_ERRORS';
 
 export const ENTRY_PERSIST_REQUEST = 'ENTRY_PERSIST_REQUEST';
 export const ENTRY_PERSIST_SUCCESS = 'ENTRY_PERSIST_SUCCESS';
@@ -208,13 +209,17 @@ export function changeDraftField(field, value, metadata) {
   };
 }
 
-export function changeDraftFieldValidation(field, errors) {
+export function changeDraftFieldValidation(uniquefieldId, errors) {
   return {
     type: DRAFT_VALIDATION_ERRORS,
-    payload: { field, errors },
+    payload: { uniquefieldId, errors },
   };
 }
 
+export function clearFieldErrors() {
+  return { type: DRAFT_CLEAR_ERRORS };
+}
+
 /*
  * Exported Thunk Action Creators
  */
diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/EditorControl.js b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/EditorControl.js
index 96df64c9..2cd855e7 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/EditorControl.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/EditorControl.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { partial, uniqueId } from 'lodash';
 import { connect } from 'react-redux';
 import { colors, colorsRaw, transitions, lengths, borders } from 'netlify-cms-ui-default';
 import { resolveWidget, getEditorComponents } from 'Lib/registry';
+import { clearFieldErrors } from 'Actions/entries';
 import { addAsset } from 'Actions/media';
 import { query, clearSearch } from 'Actions/search';
 import { loadEntry } from 'Actions/entries';
@@ -140,10 +141,12 @@ class EditorControl extends React.Component {
     removeInsertedMedia: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     onValidate: PropTypes.func,
     processControlRef: PropTypes.func,
+    controlRef: PropTypes.func,
     query: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     queryHits: PropTypes.oneOfType([PropTypes.array, PropTypes.object]),
     isFetching: PropTypes.bool,
     clearSearch: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+    clearFieldErrors: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     loadEntry: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     t: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
   };
@@ -170,10 +173,12 @@ class EditorControl extends React.Component {
       removeInsertedMedia,
       onValidate,
       processControlRef,
+      controlRef,
       query,
       queryHits,
       isFetching,
       clearSearch,
+      clearFieldErrors,
       loadEntry,
       t,
     } = this.props;
@@ -182,8 +187,9 @@ class EditorControl extends React.Component {
     const fieldName = field.get('name');
     const fieldHint = field.get('hint');
     const isFieldOptional = field.get('required') === false;
+    const onValidateObject = onValidate;
     const metadata = fieldsMetaData && fieldsMetaData.get(fieldName);
-    const errors = fieldsErrors && fieldsErrors.get(fieldName);
+    const errors = fieldsErrors && fieldsErrors.get(this.uniqueFieldId);
     return (
       <ControlContainer>
         <ControlErrorsList>
@@ -223,7 +229,7 @@ class EditorControl extends React.Component {
           mediaPaths={mediaPaths}
           metadata={metadata}
           onChange={(newValue, newMetadata) => onChange(fieldName, newValue, newMetadata)}
-          onValidate={onValidate && partial(onValidate, fieldName)}
+          onValidate={onValidate && partial(onValidate, this.uniqueFieldId)}
           onOpenMediaLibrary={openMediaLibrary}
           onClearMediaControl={clearMediaControl}
           onRemoveMediaControl={removeMediaControl}
@@ -235,13 +241,17 @@ class EditorControl extends React.Component {
           setInactiveStyle={() => this.setState({ styleActive: false })}
           resolveWidget={resolveWidget}
           getEditorComponents={getEditorComponents}
-          ref={processControlRef && partial(processControlRef, fieldName)}
+          ref={processControlRef && partial(processControlRef, field)}
+          controlRef={controlRef}
           editorControl={ConnectedEditorControl}
           query={query}
           loadEntry={loadEntry}
           queryHits={queryHits}
           clearSearch={clearSearch}
+          clearFieldErrors={clearFieldErrors}
           isFetching={isFetching}
+          fieldsErrors={fieldsErrors}
+          onValidateObject={onValidateObject}
           t={t}
         />
         {fieldHint && (
@@ -273,6 +283,7 @@ const mapDispatchToProps = {
     return loadEntry(collection, slug)(dispatch, getState);
   },
   clearSearch,
+  clearFieldErrors,
 };
 
 const ConnectedEditorControl = connect(
diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/EditorControlPane.js b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/EditorControlPane.js
index 3156903a..648e408d 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/EditorControlPane.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/EditorControlPane.js
@@ -17,10 +17,16 @@ const ControlPaneContainer = styled.div`
 export default class ControlPane extends React.Component {
   componentValidate = {};
 
-  processControlRef = (fieldName, wrappedControl) => {
+  controlRef(field, wrappedControl) {
     if (!wrappedControl) return;
-    this.componentValidate[fieldName] = wrappedControl.validate;
-  };
+    const name = field.get('name');
+    const widget = field.get('widget');
+    if (widget === 'list' || widget === 'object') {
+      this.componentValidate[name] = wrappedControl.innerWrappedControl.validate;
+    } else {
+      this.componentValidate[name] = wrappedControl.validate;
+    }
+  }
 
   validate = () => {
     this.props.fields.forEach(field => {
@@ -61,7 +67,8 @@ export default class ControlPane extends React.Component {
                 fieldsErrors={fieldsErrors}
                 onChange={onChange}
                 onValidate={onValidate}
-                processControlRef={this.processControlRef}
+                processControlRef={this.controlRef.bind(this)}
+                controlRef={this.controlRef}
               />
             ),
         )}
diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/Widget.js b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/Widget.js
index 7cab6b35..7b348ebf 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/Widget.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/components/Editor/EditorControlPane/Widget.js
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ export default class Widget extends Component {
     ]),
     mediaPaths: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
     metadata: ImmutablePropTypes.map,
+    fieldsErrors: ImmutablePropTypes.map,
     onChange: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     onValidate: PropTypes.func,
     onOpenMediaLibrary: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
@@ -44,8 +45,10 @@ export default class Widget extends Component {
     resolveWidget: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     getEditorComponents: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     isFetching: PropTypes.bool,
+    controlRef: PropTypes.func,
     query: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     clearSearch: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+    clearFieldErrors: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     queryHits: PropTypes.oneOfType([PropTypes.array, PropTypes.object]),
     editorControl: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     uniqueFieldId: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
@@ -77,16 +80,16 @@ export default class Widget extends Component {
      * `getWrappedInstance` method. Note that connected widgets must pass
      * `withRef: true` to `connect` in the options object.
      */
-    const wrappedControl = ref.getWrappedInstance ? ref.getWrappedInstance() : ref;
+    this.innerWrappedControl = ref.getWrappedInstance ? ref.getWrappedInstance() : ref;
 
-    this.wrappedControlValid = wrappedControl.isValid || truthy;
+    this.wrappedControlValid = this.innerWrappedControl.isValid || truthy;
 
     /**
      * Get the `shouldComponentUpdate` method from the wrapped control, and
      * provide the control instance is the `this` binding.
      */
-    const { shouldComponentUpdate: scu } = wrappedControl;
-    this.wrappedControlShouldComponentUpdate = scu && scu.bind(wrappedControl);
+    const { shouldComponentUpdate: scu } = this.innerWrappedControl;
+    this.wrappedControlShouldComponentUpdate = scu && scu.bind(this.innerWrappedControl);
   };
 
   validate = (skipWrapped = false) => {
@@ -203,6 +206,7 @@ export default class Widget extends Component {
       mediaPaths,
       metadata,
       onChange,
+      onValidateObject,
       onOpenMediaLibrary,
       onRemoveMediaControl,
       onClearMediaControl,
@@ -224,8 +228,11 @@ export default class Widget extends Component {
       query,
       queryHits,
       clearSearch,
+      clearFieldErrors,
       isFetching,
       loadEntry,
+      fieldsErrors,
+      controlRef,
       t,
     } = this.props;
     return React.createElement(controlComponent, {
@@ -235,6 +242,7 @@ export default class Widget extends Component {
       metadata,
       onChange,
       onChangeObject: this.onChangeObject,
+      onValidateObject,
       onOpenMediaLibrary,
       onClearMediaControl,
       onRemoveMediaControl,
@@ -257,8 +265,11 @@ export default class Widget extends Component {
       query,
       queryHits,
       clearSearch,
+      clearFieldErrors,
       isFetching,
       loadEntry,
+      fieldsErrors,
+      controlRef,
       t,
     });
   }
diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/reducers/entryDraft.js b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/reducers/entryDraft.js
index bbb83e0f..7e72b819 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/reducers/entryDraft.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-core/src/reducers/entryDraft.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import {
   DRAFT_DISCARD,
   DRAFT_CHANGE_FIELD,
   DRAFT_VALIDATION_ERRORS,
+  DRAFT_CLEAR_ERRORS,
   ENTRY_PERSIST_REQUEST,
   ENTRY_PERSIST_SUCCESS,
   ENTRY_PERSIST_FAILURE,
@@ -61,11 +62,15 @@ const entryDraftReducer = (state = Map(), action) => {
 
     case DRAFT_VALIDATION_ERRORS:
       if (action.payload.errors.length === 0) {
-        return state.deleteIn(['fieldsErrors', action.payload.field]);
+        return state.deleteIn(['fieldsErrors', action.payload.uniquefieldId]);
       } else {
-        return state.setIn(['fieldsErrors', action.payload.field], action.payload.errors);
+        return state.setIn(['fieldsErrors', action.payload.uniquefieldId], action.payload.errors);
       }
 
+    case DRAFT_CLEAR_ERRORS: {
+      return state.set('fieldsErrors', Map());
+    }
+
     case ENTRY_PERSIST_REQUEST:
     case UNPUBLISHED_ENTRY_PERSIST_REQUEST: {
       return state.setIn(['entry', 'isPersisting'], true);
diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-widget-list/src/ListControl.js b/packages/netlify-cms-widget-list/src/ListControl.js
index cb1cc4c8..43cd2d07 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-widget-list/src/ListControl.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-widget-list/src/ListControl.js
@@ -68,13 +68,17 @@ const valueTypes = {
 };
 
 export default class ListControl extends React.Component {
+  validations = [];
+
   static propTypes = {
     metadata: ImmutablePropTypes.map,
     onChange: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     onChangeObject: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+    onValidateObject: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     value: ImmutablePropTypes.list,
     field: PropTypes.object,
     forID: PropTypes.string,
+    controlRef: PropTypes.func,
     mediaPaths: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
     getAsset: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     onOpenMediaLibrary: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
@@ -85,6 +89,8 @@ export default class ListControl extends React.Component {
     setInactiveStyle: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     editorControl: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     resolveWidget: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+    clearFieldErrors: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+    fieldsErrors: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
   };
 
   static defaultProps = {
@@ -168,6 +174,17 @@ export default class ListControl extends React.Component {
     onChange((value || List()).push(parsedValue));
   };
 
+  processControlRef = ref => {
+    if (!ref) return;
+    this.validations.push(ref.validate);
+  };
+
+  validate = () => {
+    this.validations.forEach(validateListItem => {
+      validateListItem();
+    });
+  };
+
   /**
    * In case the `onChangeObject` function is frozen by a child widget implementation,
    * e.g. when debounced, always get the latest object value instead of using
@@ -196,16 +213,25 @@ export default class ListControl extends React.Component {
   handleRemove = (index, event) => {
     event.preventDefault();
     const { itemsCollapsed } = this.state;
-    const { value, metadata, onChange, field } = this.props;
+    const { value, metadata, onChange, field, clearFieldErrors } = this.props;
     const collectionName = field.get('name');
     const isSingleField = this.getValueType() === valueTypes.SINGLE;
 
     const metadataRemovePath = isSingleField ? value.get(index) : value.get(index).valueSeq();
     const parsedMetadata = metadata && { [collectionName]: metadata.removeIn(metadataRemovePath) };
 
+    // Removed item object index is the last item in the list
+    const removedItemIndex = value.count() - 1;
+
     this.setState({ itemsCollapsed: itemsCollapsed.delete(index) });
 
     onChange(value.remove(index), parsedMetadata);
+    clearFieldErrors();
+
+    // Remove deleted item object validation
+    if (this.validations) {
+      this.validations.splice(removedItemIndex, 1);
+    }
   };
 
   handleItemCollapseToggle = (index, event) => {
@@ -253,7 +279,16 @@ export default class ListControl extends React.Component {
   };
 
   renderItem = (item, index) => {
-    const { classNameWrapper, editorControl, resolveWidget } = this.props;
+    const {
+      classNameWrapper,
+      editorControl,
+      onValidateObject,
+      clearFieldErrors,
+      fieldsErrors,
+      controlRef,
+      resolveWidget,
+    } = this.props;
+
     const { itemsCollapsed } = this.state;
     const collapsed = itemsCollapsed.get(index);
     let field = this.props.field;
@@ -286,6 +321,11 @@ export default class ListControl extends React.Component {
           editorControl={editorControl}
           resolveWidget={resolveWidget}
           forList
+          onValidateObject={onValidateObject}
+          clearFieldErrors={clearFieldErrors}
+          fieldsErrors={fieldsErrors}
+          ref={this.processControlRef}
+          controlRef={controlRef}
         />
       </SortableListItem>
     );
diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-widget-object/src/ObjectControl.js b/packages/netlify-cms-widget-object/src/ObjectControl.js
index 626272ad..f421217a 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-widget-object/src/ObjectControl.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-widget-object/src/ObjectControl.js
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 import React, { Component } from 'react';
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
+import ImmutablePropTypes from 'react-immutable-proptypes';
 import { css, cx } from 'react-emotion';
-import { Map } from 'immutable';
+import { Map, List } from 'immutable';
 import { ObjectWidgetTopBar, components } from 'netlify-cms-ui-default';
 
 const styles = {
@@ -14,15 +15,21 @@ const styles = {
 };
 
 export default class ObjectControl extends Component {
+  componentValidate = {};
+
   static propTypes = {
     onChangeObject: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+    onValidateObject: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     value: PropTypes.oneOfType([PropTypes.node, PropTypes.object, PropTypes.bool]),
     field: PropTypes.object,
     forID: PropTypes.string,
     classNameWrapper: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
     forList: PropTypes.bool,
+    controlRef: PropTypes.func,
     editorControl: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
     resolveWidget: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+    clearFieldErrors: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
+    fieldsErrors: ImmutablePropTypes.map.isRequired,
   };
 
   static defaultProps = {
@@ -46,8 +53,26 @@ export default class ObjectControl extends Component {
     return true;
   }
 
+  validate = () => {
+    const { field } = this.props;
+    let fields = field.get('field') || field.get('fields');
+    fields = List.isList(fields) ? fields : List([fields]);
+    fields.forEach(field => {
+      if (field.get('widget') === 'hidden') return;
+      this.componentValidate[field.get('name')]();
+    });
+  };
+
   controlFor(field, key) {
-    const { value, onChangeObject, editorControl: EditorControl } = this.props;
+    const {
+      value,
+      onChangeObject,
+      onValidateObject,
+      clearFieldErrors,
+      fieldsErrors,
+      editorControl: EditorControl,
+      controlRef,
+    } = this.props;
 
     if (field.get('widget') === 'hidden') {
       return null;
@@ -55,7 +80,19 @@ export default class ObjectControl extends Component {
     const fieldName = field.get('name');
     const fieldValue = value && Map.isMap(value) ? value.get(fieldName) : value;
 
-    return <EditorControl key={key} field={field} value={fieldValue} onChange={onChangeObject} />;
+    return (
+      <EditorControl
+        key={key}
+        field={field}
+        value={fieldValue}
+        onChange={onChangeObject}
+        clearFieldErrors={clearFieldErrors}
+        fieldsErrors={fieldsErrors}
+        onValidate={onValidateObject}
+        processControlRef={controlRef && controlRef.bind(this)}
+        controlRef={controlRef}
+      />
+    );
   }
 
   handleCollapseToggle = () => {
diff --git a/website/content/docs/widgets.md b/website/content/docs/widgets.md
index 242accd2..62b1df02 100644
--- a/website/content/docs/widgets.md
+++ b/website/content/docs/widgets.md
@@ -25,6 +25,5 @@ The following options are available on all fields:
           widget: "string"
           pattern: [".{12,}", "Must have at least 12 characters"]
         ```
-  - **Note:** Currently validation doesn't work on nested fields
 
 ## Default widgets