What is a trusted referee? | Proof
Trusted referees, including notaries and other credible professionals, are individuals or organizations that verify and vouch for a person's identity in digital transactions to prevent fraud, with Proof leveraging a network of government-authorized notaries as the gold standard to ensure secure and trustworthy identity verification online.
As our reliance on digital solutions grows, so does the need for robust safeguards to protect and verify identities online. Digital transactions, favored for their efficiency and flexibility, have become prime targets for impersonators and fraudsters. To mitigate these risks, agents of the state—formerly known as notaries on the Notarize platform and now referred to as trusted referees with Proof—play a crucial role in verifying identities and recording transactions.
Here’s what you need to know about trusted referees: what they are, why they matter, and their ongoing role with Proof.
What is a trusted referee?
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a trusted referee is an individual or organization that verifies the identity of an applicant and vouches for that identity to the relying party. Trusted referees can include notaries (utilized by Proof), attorneys, doctors, or other professionals who maintain trust, integrity, and credibility within their communities. In some cases, trusted referees may also be family members or friends who have known the applicant for a significant period and meet necessary standards.
How do I know when I need a trusted referee?
Trusted referees have long been used to verify the authenticity of legal documents such as wills, contracts, and deeds. Notaries, specifically, have historically witnessed the signing of these documents while verifying the signatories' identities.
While notaries are a type of trusted referee, not all trusted referees are notaries. Trusted referees can be any individual or organization with the credibility to verify an applicant's identity and vouch for their authenticity. Notaries, however, are authorized by the government and are subject to ongoing oversight and evaluation for ethical and compliant practices. In essence, notaries are considered the gold standard of trusted referees, which is why Proof has built a robust network of them.
Proof has spent years developing an enterprise-grade network of notaries, knowing their role would become even more critical for important life moments. Today, identity verification is highly dynamic—while much of it can be automated, some cases require human intervention. With Proof, this added layer of security is available in seconds, 24/7, 365 days a year. Proof’s unique meeting experience combines advanced machine learning and AI with trusted human referees for enhanced security and peace of mind. This model of decentralized trust is known as the Notarize Network.
How do trusted referees prevent fraud?
On the Proof platform, trusted referees—sourced from the Notarize Network—protect digital identities and prevent fraud by creating a trusted record. The platform bridges auditable identification with cryptographic evidence. When combined with biometric verification performed by trusted referees, risks are mitigated and eliminated before they can occur.
How can I access a trusted referee with Proof?
With the launch of Proof, more information will be shared in the coming weeks about how to get started and integrate the platform into your business or daily needs. For now, updates and important information will be available on the website, blog, and social channels.