A credible identifying witness, sometimes referred to as a credible witness, is a method of identity verification where a witness validates another person's identity. This is used when the signer does not have a U.S. Social Security number and cannot generate knowledge-based authentication questions.
The methods available for verifying a signer's identity vary, depending on the state in which the notary is commissioned.
Who this is for
The information and/or process below applies to all users on the Proof platform.
This feature must be enabled by Proof. To have this feature enabled, contact our Support Team.
If you're looking for information about how to create or conduct credible identifying witness transactions, check out the articles below:
- Act as a credible identifying witness for someone you know
- Use a credible witness to identify a signer
- Conduct a meeting with a credible identifying witness
Credible witness requirements
Identity verification
Depending on the notary's state requirements, a credible witness must verify their identity instead of the signer by:
- Providing a valid U.S. Social Security number.
- Passing credential analysis.
- Passing the knowledge-based authentication questions.
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.
During the meeting
For the meeting, the credible witness is required to:
- Join the meeting using a separate device from the signer, even if they are physically in the same location.
- Access Proof.com with a web browser (using a computer or mobile device), not the Notarize app.
- Visually and verbally affirm they can vouch for the signer’s identity once in the meeting.
During the meeting, the credible witness can view video feeds, but they cannot access any documents or tools.
ℹ️ After swearing the oath or affirmation, the credible identifying witness may exit the meeting.
The credible witness cannot also act as a document witness.
What to expect
Here is an overview of how a transaction involving a credible witness works:
- The sender (usually with a business or real estate account) creates and sends the credible identifying witness transaction.
- The following emails are sent out:
- To the signer letting them know their credible witness is listed and required to join the notary meeting.
- To the credible witness indicating that they are listed as a credible witness and need to join the signer in the notary meeting with their ID ready.
- The signer initiates the meeting.
- The signer captures photos of their ID and skips knowledge-based authentication.
- An email is sent to the credible witness notifying them that the signer has started a notary meeting and asking them to join the meeting.
- The notary receives a notification to join the meeting (if it's assigned to them) and that the transaction requires a credible witness.
- The credible witness must pass the knowledge-based authentication quiz and credential analysis.
- The credible witness joins the meeting using a separate device from the signer.
- The notary administers 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.
- The signer and notary proceed with the meeting as usual.