Use a Credible Witness to Identify a Signer

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 US 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. 
• 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.

How Does Credible Witness Work?

When setting up the transaction:

• Select Yes when asked "Does this transition require a credible witness?"
• Add the witness's name and email address. Phone number is optional. 

The signer receives a notification 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 notification 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.

Stipulations

• A credible witness must join using a separate device from the signer, even if co-located.
• Credible witnesses can join meetings via a web browser using a computer or a mobile device such as a phone. (They cannot join via mobile app.)  
• A credible witness must pass KBA and Credential Analysis before joining the meeting:
  • When they join the meeting, they can view the video feeds but cannot access any documents or tools.

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.  

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.

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