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Knowledge-based Authentication (KBA)

Casey Birkholz
  • Updated

Knowledge-based Authentication, commonly referred to as KBA, is a method of authentication that seeks to prove the identity of someone accessing a service.

Notarize uses secure third-party data sources to generate Knowledge-based Authentication (KBA) questions as the first part of Multi-Step Verification, an identity-proofing method. The methods available for verifying a signer's identity vary depending on the state in which the notary is commissioned. (The second part of Multi-Step Verification is Credential Analysis.)

KBA questions can be generated for anyone residing in the 50 United States or these three U.S. Territories: Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

ℹ️ The last four digits of a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) are required to generate the security questions to verify identity. We're actively working to build a solution to support foreign citizens who need to Notarize their signatures on documents relating to court proceedings, property, or transactions that are either in the U.S. or substantially connected to the U.S. (U.S.-based notaries cannot notarize signatures on documents which have no substantial connection or relationship to U.S. property, court proceedings or transactions).

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