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Act as a credible identifying witness for someone you know

  • Updated

Here's what to do if someone has asked you to be a credible identifying witness for them during a notarization. When you act as a credible identifying witness for another party, it means you're certifying that they are the person they are claiming to be. 

ℹ️ Coordinate with the signer when they plan to proceed with the notarization to ensure you're available and ready with the required materials (above).

Who this is for

The information and/or process below applies to all users on the Proof platform.

What you need

  • A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport (see a list of acceptable identification)
  • The last 4 digits of your U.S. Social Security number or individual tax identification number (see note below)
  • A device with a supported browser (like Firefox, Chrome, or Safari), camera, microphone, and speakers

For those who need to verify their identity and/or notarize documents, you may be required to complete knowledge-based authentication. To help you complete KBA, the Proof platform can accept either a U.S. Social Security number or an individual tax identification number. 

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

What to expect

Here's an overview of what the process is like:

  1. You receive an email from proof.com that:
    • Contains the name of the person who's signing the document(s)
    • Asks you to be their witness
    • Provides a list of items you need
  2. You receive a second email when the signer is in a meeting with the notary. 
  3. Click the link in the email to begin the process by verifying your identity the 2-step process:
  4. You join the meeting after you pass the knowledge-based authentication quiz and credential analysis.
  5. The notary reviews your ID to confirm that you are who you say you are.
  6. You take an oath or affirmation before the notary that the signer is who they claim to be but lacks other forms of ID.
  7. You can leave the meeting when the notary says your duties are complete — no need to stay for the whole meeting.

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