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Knowledge-Based Authentication for Signers

Casey
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Overview

Knowledge-based authentication is the second part of Multi-Step Verification used at Proof for Identity Verification.

Proof uses secure third-party data sources to generate knowledge-based authentication questions. Questions presented during the quiz can and will vary for each person. Questions about your history may include property, vehicle, phone, and several other categories.

SSN or ITIN

✅ For those who need to verify their identity and/or notarize documents intended for use within the U.S., you may be required to complete Knowledge-based Authentication (KBA). To help you complete KBA, the Proof platform can accept either a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).

The identifier used must be tied to sufficient records to generate identity verification questions, such as credit history, vehicle registration, etc.

Note: You may be asked questions about others with a shared property interest.

Requirements  Steps Troubleshooting Passing KBA FAQs

Personal Information Requirements

You'll be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth (DOB), and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. The system then generates questions based on the information from your credit history and other data records:

  • If you do not have a valid U.S. Social Security number, you may receive an error message:
    • Unless you're signing a document for a business using a Credible Witness, you must have a valid U.S. Social Security number to use Proof.
  • You must have at least 6 months of credit history.
ℹ️ Proof does not use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number for anything other than presenting the knowledge-based authentication questions.

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Knowledge-Based Authentication Steps

  1. Provide your personal details and click
    • Note: The knowledge-based authentication questions can be generated for anyone residing in the 50 United States or these U.S. Territories: Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
  2. Click to begin the identity verification process by answering the 5 security questions drawn from background information unique to you.
Click to view screenshots

kba_signer1.pngkba_signer2.png

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Troubleshooting Tips

Occasionally, someone with a valid Social Security number lacks enough public records to generate the minimum number of required verification questions (e.g., credit history, property records, vehicle registrations, etc.). In that case, it is either because there is not enough personal data to generate the minimum number of required questions or you've used all available knowledge-based authentication questions related to them.

Try the following tips:

  • Check your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number for errors. 
  • Please make sure you are using your full legal name.
  • If you recently changed your name, try your former name.
  • If you're traveling or recently moved, try using your former U.S. address.

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Passing Knowledge-Based Authentication

You have 2 minutes to answer 4 out of 5 challenge questions correctly to verify your identity:

  • If you fail or time out on your 1st attempt, you are limited to one retake within a 24-hour window.
  • If you fail the retake (2nd attempt), you can try a 3rd time after 24 hours have passed from the time of the 1st attempt.
  • If the 3rd attempt is failed, you are locked out for 48 hours from the time of the 1st attempt.
  • You cannot attempt knowledge-based authentication more than 3 times in 48 hours. Any subsequent attempt outside of the original 48-hour window restarts the process.

What happens if I fail?

You receive a pop-up notification confirming the time you can try again.

We understand the wait may be frustrating, but this law is in place for your protection and security.

kba_locked_out.png

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FAQs

What is knowledge-based authentication (KBA)?
  • Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) is a personalized set of questions (a quiz) generated from personal identification information provided by the signer before starting a remote notarial session. Along with credential analysis, these questions verify your identity as a signer for a remote notarization as part of multi-step verification.
  • Knowledge-based authentication is one of the ways a notary can identify the signer in a remote environment. KBA is required to be performed under state notarial law and/or regulation as part of the remote online notarization session when alternative identification methods are unavailable.
What personally identifiable information is required to perform knowledge-based authentication?
  • All signer(s) must provide their name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of their social security number.

Note: Proof does not use the last 4 digits of a signer's Social Security number for anything other than providing knowledge-based authentication questions.

What kind of questions are in the quiz?
  • Questions presented during the quiz can and will vary for each signer. All questions about the signer or their history may include property, vehicle, phone, and several other categories related to the signer.
    • Signers may be presented with questions about others with a shared property interest.
How many quiz attempts will I get?
  • If you fail or time out on your first attempt, you are limited to 1 retake within a 24-hour window.
  • If you fail the retake, you will have one more try before being locked out for 48 hours.
    • Subsequent attempts after the third attempt restart the clock and keep you locked out until the required time has expired.
How many questions and how much time do I have to answer them?
  • The quiz presents 5 questions to each signer.
  • Signers have a maximum of 2 minutes to answer 4 out of the 5 questions correctly.
What if I am unable to pass the quiz?

If you are unable to pass the quiz, try the following:

  • Verify the information entered is accurate.
  • Try again and see if you can answer the questions in the new quiz (you may need to wait the necessary lockout time).
What should I do if questions are not generated?

If no questions are generated for the quiz, try the following:

  • Verify the information provided is accurate.
  • Try again and see if a new quiz can be generated.

Note: If you cannot generate questions after verifying your information, it is either because there is not enough personal data to generate questions or all knowledge-based authentication questions related to them were used up.

What if I am locked out?

If you are locked out, follow the steps below:

  1. Wait the necessary time before attempting again.
  2. Retry with a new submission.

There are no exceptions.

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Still have questions you can't find answers to? Click the chat icon in the corner of your screen to start a chat or email us at support@proof.com!

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