Identity verification is an important process to prove you are who you say you are. There are a few quick ways to verify your identity depending on the situation.
Why do I need to verify my identity?
You typically need to verify your identity in situations where someone needs to confirm your identity. Here are some common examples:
- Opening a new bank account
- Applying for a loan or credit card
- Starting a new job
- Entering a government building
- Crossing international borders
- Picking up tickets purchased online
- Proving your age when purchasing age-restricted items
In these situations, the requesting organization needs to confirm you are who you claim to be for legal, compliance, and security reasons. Identity verification helps prevent identity theft and fraud.
What documents can I use to verify my identity?
There are a variety of documents you can use to verify your identity. The most common options include:
- Driver’s license – This government-issued ID includes your photo, name, age, physical details, and signature.
- Passport – This travel document verifies your citizenship and identity with personal details, photo, and signature.
- State or national ID card – Like a driver’s license, this government-issued card has your photo, name, age, and other identifying details.
- Military ID – For armed forces members, a military ID has name, photo, and personal details.
- Social Security card – This card displays your 9-digit SSN issued by the Social Security Administration.
- Birth certificate – This official record of your birth can help prove citizenship and identity.
- Credit or debit card – Financial cards match your name to your bank accounts.
Some organizations may accept other documents too like a national insurance card or utility bill to verify your identity and address.
How does in-person identity verification work?
For in-person identity verification, you simply present your ID document to the verifying person. Here’s the process:
- Choose an acceptable photo ID document like a driver’s license, passport, or state ID card.
- Make sure your ID is not expired and shows your current name, photo, and details.
- Hand your unexpired ID to the verifying person such as a bank teller or TSA agent.
- The verifier will check that your name, photo, and other details match your appearance.
- You may be asked to sign a signature or provide additional info like a Social Security number.
- The verifier confirms your identity or may request additional documentation if any details don’t match up.
Once your identity is verified in person, you can proceed with the activity like opening a bank account or passing airport security. Make sure to bring your valid ID anytime identity verification is required.
How does online or mobile identity verification work?
For online situations, identity verification is done virtually. Here are some ways it may work:
- Knowledge-based verification – You provide personal details like your Social Security number, date of birth, addresses, or account numbers.
- Document uploads – You take photos or scans of your ID document and driver’s license and upload them.
- Multi-factor authentication – You enter codes sent to your email, phone, or authenticator app.
- Biometrics – You provide face, fingerprint, or eye scans via your device.
- Digital ID apps – You use validated government or third-party digital ID apps.
- Video verification – You have a live video call so an agent can verify your ID document and face.
Online verification typically uses a mix of these options for enhanced security. For example, you may upload an ID document, take a selfie, enter personal details, and get a verification code on your smartphone when opening a bank account online.
What details do I need to provide?
The details required for identity verification may include:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Current home address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Driver’s license number
- Passport number
- Financial account numbers
- Digital signatures
- Biometric scans
Always be prepared to provide any details that are printed on your IDs like your license number, name, height, etc. The more details you can provide, the easier it is to verify you. But only share required details and be wary of oversharing personal information.
What are some examples of identity verification situations?
Here are some common examples of when you’ll need to verify your identity and how it typically works:
Opening a new bank account
Banks need to verify your identity to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations before opening an account. You’ll usually need to:
- Show your driver’s license or passport in person
- Give your Social Security number
- Sign your name for it to be compared to your official signature
- Get photographed for bank records
Starting a new job
Employers are required to confirm employee identities and work authorization status. You’ll need to:
- Show your Social Security card in person
- Present a passport, driver’s license, or original birth certificate
- Complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9
- Potentially provide fingerprints for background checks
Buying alcohol or cannabis
If you appear underage, you may be asked to:
- Show your valid driver’s license or ID card to verify your age
- Provide a secondary form of ID like a passport if needed
Boarding a flight
The TSA needs to confirm identities to allow air travel. You’ll need to:
- Present a valid passport, driver’s license, military ID, or other accepted identification
- Match your face to your ID photo
- Go through identity-matching security screenings like fingerprint scans
Using credit cards
Retailers verify identities to reduce fraud. Steps may include:
- Showing your physical credit card so signatures can be compared
- Providing photo ID like a driver’s license if signatures don’t match
- Entering a PIN or zip code connected to your card
- Using chip and PIN cards which require a PIN for transactions
Tips for seamless identity verification
Here are some tips to breeze through identity verification when required:
- Carry valid ID whenever needed – Have proper identification like your license and passport on hand.
- Check ID expiration dates – Make sure they are current and not expired.
- Ensure details match – Update IDs if your name, address or other info has changed.
- Research requirements beforehand – Know which IDs are accepted to avoid issues.
- Be ready to provide details – Study your IDs and have required info ready to share.
- Ask clarifying questions – Clear up any confusion to speed up the process.
- Be patient and cooperate – Understand verifiers are just doing their job.
While identity verification can seem tedious at times, it’s an important process to reduce fraud and crime. Being prepared with valid IDs and correct details helps it go faster so you can get on with your day!
What technology is used for identity verification?
A variety of technologies help streamline and secure the identity verification process:
Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTD)
Passports, visas, and other travel documents use embedded RFID chips to store identity details that can be quickly read by airport scanners.
2D Barcodes
Driver’s licenses and other government IDs are adding 2D barcodes that contain identity data and can be scanned electronically.
Biometrics
Fingerprint, facial, iris and other biometric scans are used to match people to their unique biological traits.
Digital Signatures
Encrypted digital signatures help authenticate documents like online applications and contracts.
Fraud Detection Software
Banks and businesses use AI programs to analyze transactions and flag suspicious identity verification attempts for human review.
Technology | Description | Use Cases |
---|---|---|
Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTD) | RFID chips embedded in passports, visas, and other travel documents that contain identity data. | Quick scanning at airport security and border crossings for touchless identity verification. |
2D Barcodes | Scannable barcodes printed on driver’s licenses, national IDs, and other government documents. | Electronic scanning of IDs for automated identity verification in banks, retail, and more. |
Biometrics | Fingerprint, facial, iris, and other biological trait recognition. | Matching people to unique biological markers for highly secure identity confirmation. |
Digital Signatures | Encryption technology allowing documents like contracts to be electronically signed and authenticated. | Applying verified digital signatures on online applications, tax forms, and other remote documents. |
Fraud Detection Software | Artificial intelligence programs that analyze transactions and behavior to detect potentially fraudulent activities. | Flagging suspicious identity verification attempts for human review at banks and businesses. |
Conclusion
Identity verification is a fact of life anytime you need to confirm you are who you claim. While it can be inconvenient, the process is important to reduce fraud and crime. Understanding what’s required and being prepared helps streamline verification so you can get on with your day. Keep valid IDs on hand, review personal details periodically, and take advantage of technological advances to breeze through the process whenever asked, “Can you verify your identity for me please?”