How to Get Something Notarized Without ID
If you need something notarized but don't have an acceptable form of ID, you may be closer to a solution than you think.
In California, there is a legal pathway that allows a notary to complete an appointment even when the signer cannot produce government-issued identification.
Here is what that process looks like, who it is designed for, and what you need to have in place before your appointment.
Why Some Signers Don't Have Valid ID
The most common situation I encounter involves elderly clients who allowed their driver's license to expire after they stopped driving.
For many of them, the idea of going to the DMV feels like more trouble than it's worth.
Some worry that if they go in for a replacement, they may be required to re-test — and fear that experience could result in losing their license entirely.
Others live in skilled nursing facilities where they rarely leave and have little practical need for a valid ID in their day-to-day lives.
These are not people trying to cut corners. They are often some of the most prepared and thoughtful clients I work with.
They simply find themselves in a situation where obtaining a traditional form of ID is genuinely difficult or impossible.
The Legal Solution: Credible Witnesses
In California, when a signer does not have a valid form of ID, a notary public can complete the appointment using credible witnesses.
Two people who personally know the signer can appear at the appointment and serve as a human form of identification.
There are specific requirements that must be met for this to work.
The credible witnesses must personally know the signer.
They must each have their own valid, government-issued ID. They cannot personally know the notary.
They cannot have a financial interest in the document being signed.
And they cannot be a party to the underlying transaction.
The notary is required to place the credible witnesses under oath, and the witnesses must attest that they meet all of the above conditions. When everything is in order, the appointment can proceed as normal.
Everyone must be present at the same time.
Who This Option Is For
This is not a workaround that anyone can use as a matter of convenience. Credible witnesses can only be used when the signer does not possess valid ID and their circumstances would make it genuinely difficult or impossible to obtain one.
If you have a valid ID at home and simply forgot to bring it, that does not qualify.
The credible witness process exists to serve people who face a real barrier to obtaining identification — not to provide an easy alternative to those who could otherwise get one.
What Happens When Witnesses Aren't Ready
In my experience, most clients who need credible witnesses are able to find two people without much difficulty. Neighbors, family members, and caregivers can all serve in this role as long as they meet the requirements.
Where appointments fall through is when a client doesn't mention that they lack a valid ID before booking, and then doesn't have anyone available who can serve as a credible witness on short notice.
When this happens, it is our policy to charge the mobile travel fee regardless, since we have already made the trip.
We offer clients a 15-minute grace period to reach a solution — whether that means calling someone who can come quickly or making other arrangements.
After 15 minutes, we charge for wait time. In some cases, we reschedule for a time when the appropriate witnesses can be present.
The simplest way to avoid this situation is to let your notary know before the appointment that you don't have a valid ID. That one conversation makes everything easier to plan for.
A Story That Shows What This Process Looks Like
One appointment has stayed with me long after it was over — not because of the paperwork, but because of the person I met.
I was asked to visit a 94-year-old woman who was homebound, cared for by her children in shifts alongside hired help.
She wanted to create a power of attorney so that her daughter, and her son as an alternate, could handle her affairs. I arrived expecting to find a frail woman in a hospital bed.
Instead, the woman who greeted me was full of spunk, jokes, and glamour. Her voice was strong, her hair tied up elegantly in a silk turban. Her nails were manicured and polished in a soft lavender with a gentle sheen. A hired caretaker handed her a sippy cup of her favorite juice as we settled in.
She was mentally sharp and full of life. While we worked through the signing, she shared that she had always been a woman in full control of her own life — and that this new season she was moving into might be a bit troublesome for her.
I showed her the sections of the power of attorney where she could designate when the document becomes effective, hoping to honor her continued desire for some autonomy over her own affairs.
Her neighbors were already there when I arrived, prepared to serve as her credible witnesses.
The fact that they knew exactly what was needed told me she had thought this through carefully and instructed them herself.
That level of preparation, even under circumstances that were clearly emotionally difficult for her, spoke to the kind of person she was.
She signed because she knew it was the right thing to do — even though she understood it might mean trading some of the independence she had always valued. I have rarely witnessed that kind of quiet, clear-eyed resolve.
Appointments like that one are a reminder of why this work matters.
What to Do Before Your Appointment
If you or a loved one needs something notarized and valid form of acceptable ID is not available, here is how to prepare.
Tell your notary before the appointment that ID is not available. This is the most important step and allows everyone to plan accordingly.
Identify two people who personally know the signer and who have their own valid ID. Make sure they are available to be physically present at the appointment.
Confirm with them that they have no financial interest in the document and are not a party to the transaction.
If you are not sure whether your situation qualifies for the credible witness process, reach out before booking. A quick conversation can save everyone time and prevent an unnecessary trip.
The Bottom Line
Not having a valid ID does not have to mean your notarization cannot happen. California law provides a clear and legitimate pathway through the use of credible witnesses, and with a little preparation, most clients in this situation are able to complete their appointments without issue.
If you or someone you love needs a notary and ID is a barrier, we can help. As a mobile notary serving Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, we come to you — at home, in a care facility, or wherever you are. Contact us today to discuss your situation and book an appointment.
