What Is a Credible Identifying Witness?
If your signer cannot verify their identity, you can add an individual known to the signer who can verify the signer's identity. This individual is a "Credible Identifying Witness" (aka Credible Witness).
You may want to use a Credible Witness if your Signer does not have a U.S. Social Security number or cannot generate Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA) questions.
🎯Primary Audience: Proof for Business
What is Required of a Credible Witness?
A credible witness must verify their identity in place of the signer by:
- Providing a valid U.S. Social Security number or individual tax identification number (see note below).Â
- Submitting an ID that passes Credential Analysis.
- Passing the Knowledge-based Authentication (KBA) questions.
- Visually and verbally affirm they can vouch for the signer’s identity once in the meeting.
SSN or ITIN
The identifier used must be tied to sufficient records to generate identity verification questions, such as credit history, vehicle registration, etc.
This feature must be enabled by Proof. Please contact Customer Support at support@proof.com to request this feature for your account. If you were assigned a Customer Success Manager (CSM), work with your CSM.
Need to Know
Only one credible identifying witness is allowed per transaction. If the transaction has more than one signer, the credible witness can act as such for all signers on the transaction, if applicable.
A credible witness:
- Must join at the same time as the signer using their own device, even if in the same location.
- Can join meetings via a web browser using a computer or a mobile device such as a phone.
- Cannot join via the Notarize mobile app.
- Must pass KBA and Credential Analysis before joining the meeting.
- Cannot access any documents or tools during the meeting, but video feeds are visible.
How Does Credible Witness Work?
When setting up the transaction:
- Click the switch next to Credible witness to ON.
- Add the witness's name and email address. Phone number is optional.Â
The signer receives an email letting them know their credible witness is listed and required to join the Notary meeting.
The Signer bypasses KBA and Credential Analysis.
The credible witness receives an email when the transaction is sent to the signer informing them that they are listed as a credible witness and need to join the signer in the Notary meeting with their ID ready.
Once the signer initiates and joins a notary meeting, the credible witness receives another email letting them know the signer has started a Notary meeting and asking them to join the meeting.
The Credible Witness must pass KBA and Credential Analysis before joining the meeting.
When they join the signer in the Notary meeting, they can view the video feeds of the signer and the Notary, but they do not have access to any documents or tools. Â
The Notary receives a notification to join the meeting, which includes a message informing them that the transaction requires a credible witness.
The notary and signer are blocked from performing any document actions until the credible witness joins, and the notary verifies their ID.
The notary also must administer an oath or affirmation that the credible witness personally knows the signer before starting the signing session with the signer. After swearing to the oath or affirmation, the credible witness can leave the meeting.
Still have questions you can't find answers to? Click the chat icon in the corner of your screen to start a chat, email us at support@proof.com!
© 2023-2024 Notarize, Inc. (dba Proof.com) All Rights Reserved.