Identity verification (IDV)
Also known as: IDV · Document verification · Document OCR · ID verification · Identity proofing
The process of confirming that a person is who they claim to be, combining reading the ID document, checking that it is authentic, and proving that the person presenting it is its live owner.
Legal basis
NIST SP 800-63A — Identity Proofing and Enrollment
Identity verification (IDV) is not a single step, it is a chain. First the document is read — by OCR and by the MRZ, the two lines of machine-readable characters at the bottom of passports and ID cards. Then the document is checked for authenticity and signs of tampering. Finally, the system proves that the face in front of the camera matches the document and belongs to a live person, through facial recognition and liveness detection.
It is the foundation of any remote onboarding and the first filter of a KYC flow. NIST SP 800-63A frames this as identity proofing: resolving a claimed identity to a real person, validating the evidence, and verifying that the applicant is its rightful holder. Reading the document without tying the face to it lets through anyone holding someone else's ID; matching the face without checking liveness lets through a photo, a screen or a deepfake. The three steps travel together, and the weakest link sets the security of the whole.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between identity verification and KYC?
Identity verification confirms that a person is who they claim to be, through document, face and liveness checks. KYC is the broader regulatory process that uses that verification as one of its steps, adding watchlist screening, risk assessment and ongoing monitoring.