How knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and government ID scanning verify signers before remote notarization. Requirements, process, and pass rates.
Why Identity Verification Matters in Notarization
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported $12.5 billion in losses from identity-related fraud in 2023. In real estate alone, wire fraud schemes cost homebuyers an average of $150,000 per incident according to the American Land Title Association.
Remote Online Notarization (RON) addresses this by requiring multi-factor identity verification before the notary session begins. Every signer must prove they are who they claim to be, not just show an ID on camera.
Two Layers of Verification
Layer 1: Knowledge-Based Authentication (KBA)
KBA presents the signer with five questions generated from their credit history and public records. These are not questions the signer set up in advance. They are dynamically generated from databases that only the real person would know the answers to.
Example KBA questions:
Which of the following addresses have you been associated with?In which county is your property on Elm Street located?Which of these lenders holds your auto loan?What is the approximate monthly payment on your mortgage?Which of these phone numbers have you used?Rules:
5 questions, multiple choice (4-5 options each)Must answer 4 out of 5 correctly to pass2-minute time limit per question2 attempts allowed per sessionQuestions change between attemptsAccording to the Mortgage Bankers Association, KBA pass rates for legitimate signers average 92%. The 8% who fail typically have thin credit files or recently moved.
Layer 2: Government ID Scanning
The signer photographs or scans their government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID). ClosingIQ’s computer vision system verifies:
Document authenticity — Checks for security features, holograms, and formatting consistent with the issuing authorityData extraction — Reads the name, date of birth, address, and expiration date from the IDFace match — Compares the ID photo to the live video feed during the notary sessionExpiration check — Confirms the ID has not expiredThe entire ID verification process takes 15-30 seconds.
State Requirements for RON Identity Verification
All 50 states that permit RON require some form of identity verification. The most common requirements:
The ClosingIQ Verification Flow
Upload document for notarizationEnter personal information (name, DOB, last 4 SSN)Answer 5 KBA questions (4/5 required to pass)Scan government ID (front and back)Join video session with live notaryNotary confirms identity match between ID, KBA, and live personTotal verification time: 3-5 minutes.
Common Reasons Verification Fails
Thin credit file — New residents, young adults, or people with limited credit historyRecent address change — KBA databases update quarterly, so a recent move may cause mismatchesExpired ID — The government ID must be currentDamaged ID — The camera cannot read a cracked, faded, or heavily worn IDVPN or proxy — Some states require the signer’s IP address to be in the USIf verification fails, the signer can try KBA once more (with different questions) or schedule an in-person notarization as a fallback.
Privacy and Data Handling
KBA answers are not stored after the sessionID images are encrypted at rest and automatically deleted after the state-required retention periodVideo recordings are stored in encrypted cloud storage for the required 5-10 yearsAll data handling complies with CCPA, GDPR (for international signers), and state RON regulations