guest User Access – Public Catalog Item Still Shows “You are either not authorized or record

[RohitPapann]

Hello ServiceNow Community,

I am trying to configure a public-facing Record Producer in ServiceNow that allows guest (unauthenticated) users to submit a lead form into my custom table (u_lead).

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

1. Created a Record Producer

   • Linked it to the u_lead table.

   • Assigned it to a public category (Active = true).

2. Enabled Guest User

   • Went to System Security → Users and searched for guest.

   • Verified that the guest user is active.

   • Assigned roles: public and x_1744478_lead.external.

3. Checked ACLs

   • For u_lead table: Created/updated read/create ACLs with no required roles and no scripts blocking guest users.

   • For sc_cat_item: Tried duplicating the read ACL and removed all required roles, leaving conditions blank.

4. Business Rules

   • Checked System Definition → Business Rules on u_lead to ensure there’s no script checking gs.getSession().isLoggedIn() for insert/read.

5. Testing in Incognito Mode

   • Used the Service Portal link for the Record Producer (sp?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=<record producer sys_id>).

   • As guest, I receive:

     You are either not authorized or record is not valid (screenshot attached).

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Problem:
Despite following the steps above, I still cannot access the Record Producer as a guest user. It looks like either the sc_cat_item ACLs aren’t allowing guest access or something else in the portal configuration is blocking it.

Questions:

• Are there additional ACLs (like sc_cat_item_category or related tables) that I need to modify for guest users?

• Could the issue be related to the portal widget permissions or Service Catalog plugin settings?

• Is there a specific configuration I’m missing that allows a Record Producer to be accessible without login?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[GlideFather · Accepted solution]

Hi @RohitPapann,

check the value in the Public field in the [sp_page] table. Change the URL and navigate to this:

https://yourinstance.service-now.com/now/nav/ui/classic/params/target/sp_page_list.do 

Let me know if this helped you

[GlideFather · Accepted solution]

Hi @RohitPapann,

check the value in the Public field in the [sp_page] table. Change the URL and navigate to this:

https://yourinstance.service-now.com/now/nav/ui/classic/params/target/sp_page_list.do 

Let me know if this helped you

[RaghavSh · Accepted solution]

Check the roles on id = "sc_cat_item" on "sp_page".

Add the appropriate roles on this page.

This page have widget "SC Catalog Item" , you may need to add roles to that widget as well if required.