What IDs Work for Notaries in NJ & PA — And When a Witness Can Help

Close-up of a blue U.S. passport partially tucked into the front pocket of a black travel bag, symbolizing valid identification for notarial services in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

As a notary public in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, your primary job is to ensure the person signing a document is who they claim to be. That means you must verify identity before you notarize.

✅ Acceptable ID: What Works

In both NJ and PA, “satisfactory evidence” of identity typically means a government‑issued photo ID that is current (or recently expired, depending on state rules), and bears the signer’s photograph, signature (or physical description), and an identifying number. Pennsylvania Government+2NJ.gov+2

Common acceptable IDs include:

If an ID lacks a photo, physical description, or signature (for example: a Social Security card, birth certificate, or standard employer ID), it is generally not acceptable for notarization. Both New Jersey and Pennsylvania require the notary to have satisfactory evidence of identity. Satisfactory evidence is usually defined as a government-issued credential that reasonably establishes identity. The key elements most notaries look for are:

  1. Photo – to visually confirm the signer matches the ID

  2. Signature – to compare with the signature on the document

  3. Physical description / ID number – to help further verify authenticity

 

✅ What NJ law says about expired IDs

⚠️ What about Pennsylvania — unexpired             only (by default)

  • Under NJ’s notary rules, a government‑issued ID (passport, driver’s license, non‑driver ID, etc.) is acceptable if it is “current or expired not more than three years before the performance of the notarial act.” Justia Law+2NJ.gov+2

  • That means if someone’s license (or other valid ID) expired 2 or even 3 years ago, a notary in NJ may accept it — as long as it satisfies the other conditions (photo, description or signature, etc.). Justia Regulations+1

  • So in NJ, there is statutory support for using an expired ID — within a 3‑year “grace period.” This gives notaries some flexibility, though notaries still have discretion: they “may require … additional credentials” if they’re not satisfied the ID proves identity. Justia Law+1


Conclusion for NJ: Expired IDs are acceptable if expired less than or equal to 3 years ago — but the notary must be comfortable that identity is satisfactorily proven.

  • PA’s official guidance lists acceptable government‑issued IDs as those that are “current and unexpired.” Pennsylvania Government+1

  • In the list of government-issued identification options for notaries, PA requires the ID be “current.” There’s no statutory exception (or publicly published guidance) that formally allows recently expired IDs for notarial acts. Pennsylvania Government+1

  • Many PA notaries and online resources explicitly note that expired IDs are not acceptable for notarization in PA. Premium Seal Docs+1


Conclusion for PA: Only unexpired, valid government‑issued IDs should be accepted. Accepting expired IDs would contradict the state’s standard identification requirement.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 When a Credible Witness Can Help — And The Rules That Apply

There are times when a signer may not have a valid ID. In those cases, a “credible witness” — someone who personally knows the signer — can be used to vouch for identity. This is allowed under both NJ and PA practices, under certain conditions. NJ.gov+2notary.org+2

Here’s how that works:

  • The credible witness must be personally known to the notary, and also personally know the signer. LegalClarity+1

  • The credible witness must appear in person, alongside the signer. Pennsylvania Government+1

  • The credible witness must take an oath or affirmation before the notary — attesting that the signer is indeed the person named in the document. New Jersey Legislature+1

  • The credible witness must present their own valid ID that meets the notary’s ID standards (photo, signature/description, ID number, etc.) so the notary can verify their identity. LegalClarity+2notary.org+2

  • The credible witness cannot have a direct financial or beneficial interest in the document being notarized (to avoid conflict of interest). New Jersey Legislature+1

Using a credible witness in this way gives the notary “satisfactory evidence” of the signer’s identity even without standard ID documentation.

⚠️ Limitations & When Not to Rely on a Witness

Using a credible witness is allowed, but it’s not meant for everyday convenience. It should be reserved for situations where the signer genuinely has no acceptable ID and cannot reasonably obtain one. According to guidance:

  • If a signer’s identity cannot be satisfactorily established — either by proper ID or a credible witness — the notary should refuse to notarize. notarybonding.com+1

  • The witness must truly know the signer (not a casual acquaintance or relative with potential conflict), and they must not benefit from the document. New Jersey Legislature+1

  • Not all types of documents or signings are appropriate for credible‑witness identification. Some institutions receiving the notarized document might still reject it, or additional identity verification might be required.

Because of these limitations, many notaries treat credible‑witness notarizations as exceptional, not routine.

🎯 What This Means for Clients

When you come to get a document notarized in NJ or PA:

  • Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if you can — that’s always the clearest, easiest way to get notarized.

  • If you don’t have one — you may still qualify for notarization if you have a credible witness who meets the criteria (known to you, known to the notary, with proper ID).

  • Don’t rely on documents without photos or ID numbers (e.g., Social Security cards, birth certificates) — these usually won’t meet notarial standards.

  • Understand that the notary’s role is to verify identity and witnessing only — not to judge, interpret, or advise on the document’s contents.

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