Credential Analysis – Proof Help Center
The Proof platform uses automated Credential Analysis to securely verify the authenticity of your government-issued ID after Knowledge-Based Authentication, ensuring the ID is valid before you meet with a notary, who also confirms your identity, while addressing common issues like photo quality, data mismatches, expired IDs, and email conflicts to maintain a legally binding and secure transaction.
To keep your documents secure and legally binding, the Proof platform uses Credential Analysis. This is an automated security step that confirms your government-issued ID is valid and authentic before you meet with a notary. Think of it as a digital "ID check" that happens in the background so everyone can move forward with confidence.
How Credential Analysis Works
How the Process Works
If your transaction requires it, you'll be prompted to upload your ID after completing Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA). From there, the system runs an automated check to verify the security features on your ID.
The Notary's Role
While the system checks the ID's authenticity, the notary is still responsible for confirming that the person on screen matches the person on the ID.
One Identity Per Email
The Proof platform links one identity to one email address. If you share an email with someone who already has a Proof account, the system won't be able to validate your ID.
What Happens Next
- If Verification Succeeds:
- You'll be cleared to enter the waiting room and meet with your notary.
- If There's an Issue:
- You'll see an error message with more information. Depending on the reason, you may be able to try again or return to your dashboard to update your info.
Common Reasons for Failure
Most verification issues are easy to fix. Here are the most common reasons an ID doesn't pass on the first try:
- Photo Quality:
- Glare, shadows, or a blurry image can make the ID unreadable. Make sure you're in good lighting and the photo is clear.
- Data Mismatch:
- The name or date of birth on your ID doesn't match what you entered earlier.
- Pro tip: Always enter your birth date in MM-DD-YYYY format (e.g., 07-12-1989).
- Expired ID:
- The ID has passed its expiration date or the date isn't clearly visible in the photo.
- Email Conflict:
- If you share an email with another person who has a Proof account, the system cannot validate your ID against that email address.
- Technical Validation:
- In some cases, the system simply cannot verify the specific security markers on the ID provided.
Summary Checklist
- Upload a clear, well-lit photo of your ID — no glare or blurring.
- Make sure the name and date of birth on your ID match what you entered in your profile.
- Enter your birth date in MM-DD-YYYY format.
- Make sure your ID is not expired and the expiration date is clearly visible.
- Each email address can only be linked to one identity — don't share accounts.
Still Unsure?
If your ID is valid and your photos are clear but you're still getting an error, a name mismatch might be the culprit. Sometimes a previous session was completed under a different name — like a maiden name. You can update your profile name in your account settings to match your current ID. If you're still stuck after that, reach out to Proof Support — we're happy to help you get across the finish line.
Related
What You Need for Online Notarization
To complete an online notarization, you must be at least 18, have six months of credit history, a U.S. address, and a U.S. document intended for use in the U.S., and be prepared with a U.S. SSN or ITIN for identity verification, a government-issued photo ID (and possibly a secondary ID), a valid email, and a device with audio and video capabilities to ensure a secure and compliant live video session.
Identity Verification Overview – Proof Help Center
Proof's identity verification for notarizations varies by notary commission state and transaction type, offering four methods: IAL2-compliant verification (credential analysis plus selfie comparison), multi-step verification (combining knowledge-based authentication, credential analysis, and/or selfie comparison), personal knowledge of identity (notary personally knows the signer), and credible identifying witness (a verified witness vouches for the signer).
Act as a Credible Identifying Witness – Proof Help Center
The article explains that acting as a credible identifying witness involves verifying your own identity with a government-issued photo ID and partial SSN/ITIN, joining a notarization meeting upon invitation, taking an oath to confirm the signer's identity when they lack standard ID, and then leaving once the notary completes the process.
What to Expect During Online Notarization with Proof
The article explains the step-by-step process of online notarization with Proof, detailing how users can start by uploading documents themselves or responding to an invite, then proceed through entering personal information, confirming location, and verifying identity to complete the notarization securely and efficiently.
Skip Identity Verification if Notary Personally Knows Signer – Proof Help Center
The Proof Help Center explains that for single-signer transactions where the notary personally knows the signer, Notaries Sourcing Transactions (NST) and enabled In-House Notaries (IHN) can use the Personally Known to Notary (PKN) method to bypass Knowledge-Based Authentication and Credential Analysis, streamlining the process by selecting the "Personally known to notary" option during transaction setup, though this method is restricted to new, internal transactions with single signers and is unavailable to On-Demand Notaries (ODNs) or overflowed transactions.
Identify Transaction Overview
Identify transactions are identity verification tools available to all organizational users that prevent fraud in both in-person and online interactions by using methods like credential analysis, selfie comparison, IAL2-compliant verification, and knowledge-based authentication, providing a Proof identity report to safeguard processes such as property sales, rental applications, and account recovery without requiring notarization or document signing.