# Identity Check

### Identity Check Overview

An Identity Check is a **biometric identity verification** service for **KYC onboarding**.

It combines **ISO-certified (PAD Level 2) passive liveness detection** with **facial similarity (face match)** to verify that a customer is the genuine person behind an identity.

It compares a live selfie against the photo on an official ID document and returns both a liveness outcome and facial similarity confidence score.

To protect your identity verification flow from spoofing, ComplyCube uses **Presentation Attack Detection (PAD)**. This helps detect common **liveness fraud** vectors, including:

* **Printed mask attacks**: Where masks with cut-outs are used to mimic real faces.
* **Printed photo attacks:** Where fraudsters use printed photos.
* **Image replay attacks:** Where injected images attempt to simulate liveness.
* **Deepfake attacks:** Where AI-generated or manipulated facial media attempts to impersonate a real person.
* **3D mask attacks**: Where silicone or plastic masks are used to impersonate individuals.

By combining face match with real-time liveness detection, Identity Check helps reduce onboarding fraud. It’s commonly used for **KYC identity verification**, **customer onboarding**, **transaction approvals**, and more

If you need higher assurance with video challenges, use [Enhanced Identity Check](/documentation/product-guides/biometric-and-liveness-verification/enhanced-identity-check.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
On a successful Identity Check, your customer’s facial biometrics will be **automatically enrolled** (if enabled on your plan). This helps prevent fraud related to multiple registrations under different identities and enables [face-based authentication](/documentation/product-guides/biometric-and-liveness-verification/face-authentication-check.md) for future interactions.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Even though it is possible to run this check entirely through our API, we **highly recommend** that you run it through our [Hosted Solution](/documentation/sdks/web-integrations/hosted-solution-quick-guide.md), [Web SDK](/documentation/sdks/web-integrations/web-sdk-quick-guide.md), or native [Mobile SDKs](/documentation/quick-guides/mobile-sdk-guide.md). These SDKs guide your clients through the capture process, aiding them with completing the flow successfully with minimal friction and false-positive outcomes.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
[Learn about the Identity Checks API.](/documentation/api-reference/check-types/identity-check.md)
{% endhint %}

### Analysis performed

An Identity Check runs layered **biometric analysis** to validate **passive liveness**, confirm **facial similarity**, and flag **spoofing**, **deepfake**, or **tampering** signals.

The diagram below outlines the key analysis categories.

***

![Identity Check Overview](/files/-MV1OAM6OklgKz5HbAmz)

***

**Detailed verification checks**

<table><thead><tr><th width="205.12890625">Analysis</th><th>Verifications Performed</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Face Analysis</strong></td><td><ul><li><strong>Facial similarity</strong>: Compares the submitted selfie with the ID photo to confirm both belong to the same person. Returns a confidence score between 0–100%, where 100% indicates a perfect match and 0% indicates no match at all.</li><li><strong>Banned faces analysis</strong>: Flags matches against prohibited or blacklisted face databases.</li><li><strong>Previously enrolled face</strong>: Detects if the same face has already been registered using different customer details.</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Authenticity Analysis</strong></td><td><ul><li><strong>Spoofed image analysis</strong>: Indicates whether the images are manipulated, copied from the internet, or are known blacklisted images.</li><li><p><strong>Liveness check</strong>: Confirms the customer is physically present and not a spoof attempt. This involves advanced biometric and anti-spoofing techniques, such as:</p><ul><li>3D facial mapping</li><li>Skin texture and micro-expression analysis</li><li>Pixel-level tampering detection</li><li>Virtual camera detection</li><li>Mask and disguise recognition</li><li>Proprietary anti-spoofing techniques</li></ul><p>Returns a confidence score between 0–100%, where 100% indicates a highly reliable live presence and 0% indicates a likely spoof attempt.</p></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Integrity Analysis</strong></td><td><ul><li><strong>Face detection</strong>: Ensures the expected number of faces are present in the image and that the image quality is sufficient for reliable analysis.</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Sample result

The example below shows a representative Identity Check result for liveness detection and facial similarity outcomes.

Use it to see how selfie analysis, face match signals, and verification findings may appear in an Identity Check report.

<figure><img src="/files/DEXyBgLnhPYQSrs6KyC3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
This example is illustrative. Exact fields, values, and layout may vary by workflow, configuration, and result.
{% endhint %}

### Check duration

An Identity Check takes an average of **3 seconds** to complete.

### Frequently asked questions

<details>

<summary>What is an Identity Check in KYC?</summary>

An Identity Check is a **biometric identity verification** step used in **KYC onboarding**.

It compares a **live selfie** to the photo on an official ID document and confirms both **liveness** and **face match**.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is selfie identity verification?</summary>

Selfie identity verification is the process of checking whether a customer’s **live selfie** matches the photo on their identity document.

It helps confirm that the person completing onboarding is the real document holder.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is passive liveness detection?</summary>

**Passive liveness detection** confirms that the customer is physically present during selfie capture without requiring video prompts or action challenges.

It analyzes the submitted selfie for spoofing, replay, mask, deepfake, and tampering signals in the background.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can Identity Check detect deepfakes, spoofing, and selfie fraud?</summary>

Yes.

Identity Check is designed to detect **deepfakes**, **printed photo attacks**, **image replay attacks**, **3D mask attacks**, and other common **selfie fraud** vectors.

It uses **ISO-certified PAD Level 2** biometric anti-spoofing controls to reduce fraud risk.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Do I need an ID document and a selfie for Identity Check?</summary>

Yes.

Identity Check compares the customer’s live selfie against the photo from an official identity document.

If you only need document verification, use [Document Check](/documentation/product-guides/identity-verification/document-check.md).

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is the difference between Identity Check and Enhanced Identity Check?</summary>

Identity Check uses a **passive selfie** for fast biometric verification.

[Enhanced Identity Check](/documentation/product-guides/biometric-and-liveness-verification/enhanced-identity-check.md) uses a **video selfie** with guided motion and voice challenges for higher-assurance identity verification.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is the difference between Identity Check and Face Authentication Check?</summary>

Identity Check compares a live selfie to an **ID document photo** during onboarding.

[Face Authentication Check](/documentation/product-guides/biometric-and-liveness-verification/face-authentication-check.md) compares a live selfie to a **previously enrolled face** for repeat login, step-up authentication, or account recovery.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can Identity Check help prevent account takeover and duplicate accounts?</summary>

Yes.

Identity Check helps detect spoofing and can also identify **previously enrolled faces** when enabled, which helps reduce duplicate registrations and related fraud.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Which checks are commonly combined with Identity Check in KYC?</summary>

Identity Check is often combined with [Document Check](/documentation/product-guides/identity-verification/document-check.md), [AML Screening Check](/documentation/product-guides/watchlist-pep-and-adverse-media/aml-screening-check.md), [Multi-Bureau Check](/documentation/product-guides/identity-verification/multi-bureau-check.md), and [Proof of Address Check](/documentation/product-guides/kyc-automation-services/proof-of-address-check.md).

This helps you move from selfie and face match verification to a broader KYC and compliance decision in one [Workflow](/documentation/product-guides/compliance-studio/workflows.md).

</details>

### Related checks

You’ll typically run an Identity Check alongside:

* [Document Check](/documentation/product-guides/identity-verification/document-check.md) for document authenticity and ID data extraction.
* [AML Screening Check](/documentation/product-guides/watchlist-pep-and-adverse-media/aml-screening-check.md) for sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening.
* [Multi-Bureau Check](/documentation/product-guides/identity-verification/multi-bureau-check.md) for identity and address verification via authoritative sources.
* [Face Authentication Check](/documentation/product-guides/biometric-and-liveness-verification/face-authentication-check.md) for step-up and repeat authentication after enrollment.

### Related topics

Use these when building end-to-end KYC journeys that include Identity Check:

* [Workflows](/documentation/product-guides/compliance-studio/workflows.md) to bundle Identity Check into a single customer journey.
* [Compliance Policies](/documentation/product-guides/compliance-studio/policies.md) to apply rule-based decisions and evidence requirements.
* [Hosted Solution](/documentation/sdks/web-integrations/hosted-solution-quick-guide.md), [Web SDK](/documentation/sdks/web-integrations/web-sdk-quick-guide.md), and [Mobile SDKs](/documentation/quick-guides/mobile-sdk-guide.md) for guided selfie capture.


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