Form 1583 — Notary Checklist (What to Bring)

What you need to bring

• Two forms of identification: at least one must be government-issued (driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID). Second can be government or non-government (utility bill, lease, recent bank statement).
• Form 1583 — printed, NOT signed yet (you'll sign in front of the notary)
• Pen (some notary services don't provide one)
• Cash or card for the notary fee — typically $10-$20 per notarization. Some CMRAs (including ours) provide free notary as a benefit of Business and Premium plans.
• Your CMRA's name, address, and CRD number — must be filled in correctly on the form before the notary stamps it

Common rejection reasons

The notary can't notarize a form that's already signed. If you sign before the notary witnesses, they have to reject and you start over.

Both IDs must be unexpired. Expired driver's licenses get the form rejected.

Names on the IDs must match the names on the form. If you go by a married name on Etsy but your driver's license still has your maiden name, sort that out first.

Form 1583 has a section for the CMRA's registration number (CRD #). If that's blank, USPS rejects the form even if the notary stamps it.

Where to get a notary

• Your CMRA — most have one on staff (we provide it free with Business + Premium plans)
• UPS Store — $10-$20, available Mon-Sat at most locations
• Bank — usually free if you're an account holder
• AAA office — usually free for members
• Mobile notary — comes to you, $25-$75 + travel

After the notary

Take the notarized form back to your CMRA. They keep it on file for as long as you're a customer (USPS requires 4 years minimum after you stop using the service).

Some CMRAs ask you to mail them the form; ours accepts walk-in or upload via your dashboard.