Which ID types offer the highest assurance?

E-passports with NFC and strong security features. National IDs with robust issuance and databases are also strong when coupled with liveness.

What if the ID is expired?

Treat as insufficient for onboarding unless policy allows temporary limits. Trigger refresh workflows and accept alternates only with compensating controls.

How do we reduce failure rates?

Real-time capture guidance, quality thresholds, auto-template detection, and clear instructions on lighting and framing improve first-pass success.

Do we still need databases?

Yes. Registries and watchlists complement document checks and lower residual risk, especially for cross-border or higher-risk cases.

← Back to Glossary

Government ID

Overview

Government IDs such as passports, national IDs, residence permits, and driver’s licenses provide authoritative identity evidence for KYC. Verification involves document authentication, data extraction, and holder binding through face match with liveness. Where available, NFC chip reads add cryptographic assurance. Programs must handle jurisdiction variations, expiry checks, and acceptable alternative documents.

For higher-risk products, combine IDs with database corroboration and address proof. Accessibility and inclusion matter, so guided capture, multilingual prompts, and fallback channels reduce abandonment. Governance covers consent, minimal retention of images, encryption, and template versioning. Done well, government ID verification accelerates onboarding, reduces fraud, and produces reliable attributes for downstream screenings and risk scoring.

Stay ahead of risk with Signzy

Explore tools that help you onboard, monitor, and verify with confidence

One Touch KYC

Simplify the Know Your Customer (KYC) process with AI and sophisticated fraud detection algorithms to provide a seamless, efficient, and highly secure user verification.

Database Verification

Verify user information instantly by connecting to trusted databases across jurisdictions. Ensure accuracy, compliance, and faster onboarding with real-time data checks.