Do You Need a Credible Witness for Your Notarization

"When things get complicated, there’s always a clear path forward—and we’re here to help you navigate it."

- Suzanne Feinberg, Arizona Remote Online Notary since 2020

When You Need a Notary—But Don’t Have Valid ID

It happens more often than you think. Maybe your driver’s license is missing, your passport expired, or you simply haven’t needed official ID in years. But now, you're staring at an important document that needs to be notarized—fast.

If you're working with a commissioned Arizona notary and don’t have valid identification, you're not out of options. In fact, Arizona law provides a safe, lawful path forward: you may be able to use a credible witness to confirm your identity.

Let’s walk you through what a credible witness is, when and how they’re used, and how AZ Roving Notary can help you prepare.

What Is a Credible Witness?

A credible witness is someone who personally knows you (the signer) and will go thorugh the ID Verification process for you. He or she is willing to confirm your identity under oath. This option can be used when:

You do not have valid identification
The notary does not personally know you

It’s a commonly used solution that meets Arizona’s requirements for identity confirmation. Notaries follow the Arizona law to ensure the witness carries out the process properly and is recorded in the journal.

Arizona’s Guidelines: Two Credible Witness Scenarios

According to the Arizona Notary Reference Manual (January 21, 2025), there are two ways a credible witness can be used:

Scenario 1: Credible Witness Known to Both the Notary and the Signer

This is the smoothest option.

How it works:

The notary personally knows the credible witness.
The credible witness personally knows the signer.
The notary identifies the credible witness without needing ID.
The credible witness takes an oath, affirming they know who the signer is.
The credible witness signs the notary journal with their full name and address.
The signer also signs the journal.

Because the notary already knows the credible witness, there's no need for additional ID verification.

Scenario 2: Credible Witness Known Only to the Signer

This is the most common scenario, especially for first-time clients or remote appointments.

How it works:

The credible witness personally knows the signer and presents valid ID.
The notary verifies the credible witness’s ID based on Arizona’s standards.
The credible witness affirms under oath that they know the signer.
The notary records the credible witness’s full name, address, and ID information in the journal.
Both the signer and the credible witness sign the journal.

This process allows the notarization to move forward even if the signer does not have valid identification.

What the Notary Will Record

In a credible witness notarization, documentation is key. The notary will record the following in their journal:

Your full name and signature
The witness’s full name, address, and signature
ID details for the witness (if not known to the notary)
The type of oath or affirmation given
Details about the document being notarized

These entries ensure clarity, consistency, and accountability for everyone involved but most importantly follow Arizona law.

Why This Option Works

Notarization isn’t just about stamping a document—it’s about confirming who’s signing. A credible witness provides a structured and dependable path forward when identification isn’t available.

At AZ Roving Notary, we’ve helped countless clients—students, seniors, travelers, military families, and those living abroad—complete notarizations even without ID. We know the rules, and we know how to guide you through the process confidently.

Did You Know?

👉 In 2024, roughly 15–20% of AZ Roving Notary sessions involved a credible witness due to missing or expired ID—especially for clients overseas or in between renewals.

Client Testimonial

“I was out of the country without valid ID when I needed a document notarized. AZ Roving Notary helped me coordinate with a trusted friend as my credible witness. They made it easy, quick, and respectful.”
— Marisol G., Living Abroad

Our mission is to make your journey smoother, safer, and stress-free. Trust us to take care of your documents like they were our own.

We Work With Clients Nationwide—And Worldwide

AZ Roving Notary proudly serves:

Clients in all 50 U.S. states, territories and Washington, DC
U.S. citizens and residents living abroad
People who need notaries from states other than Arizona

Not sure if you need a credible witness? Contact us before your appointment—we’ll guide you through every step.

Outside Arizona? We’ll connect you with one of our trusted and verified notaries in your state and who will provide you with the correct and legal ID and credible witness guidelines for your location.

EXPLORE REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION TODAY

GET YOUR CUSTOM SIGNATURE TODAY!

This blog was conceived by Suzanne Feinberg, content suggested by AI, designed/edited/finalized by Zibster, and approved/published by AZ Roving Notary.

Legal Disclaimer: According to Arizona law, our notaries are not attorneys and are not licensed to practice law in Arizona. Our notaries are not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration or charge a fee for those activities. Our notaries only responsibility is to provide the notary services as set forth by the laws and statutes of Arizona. At AZ Roving Notary we are not attorneys and therefore, by law, we cannot explain or interpret the contents of any document for you. We cannot instruct you on how to complete a document. We cannot direct you on the advisability of signing a particular document. We cannot advise you as to the type of notarial certificate you should use for your document. Please seek legal advice from a state of Arizona experienced and licensed attorney. This website is offered for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.

*All notarizations are guaranteed to be done according to Arizona statutes and regulations. Paperwork accuracy is the responsibility of the document preparer.
**Same day orders require 4 hours notice from the time of call to dispatch if we have availability.

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Do You Need a Credible Witness for Your Notarization?