Features > IDV

What is an identity check (IDV)?

Ask an email recipient to verify their identity using a government ID document and a live selfie

An identity check lets a sender ask a recipient to confirm who they are, without either party leaving the Mailock® secure environment. The recipient captures their passport or driving licence and completes a live selfie, and the sender receives evidence of the outcome.

An identity check confirms a person’s identity with a document and a live identity and liveness check. Where a workflow needs more, you can add a KYC (know your customer) check, which also confirms details such as address, or an AML (anti-money-laundering) check, which adds sanctions and PEP (politically exposed person) screening.

Identity checks are available with Mailock Enterprise, and are coming soon to Mailock Pro.

How does it work?

An identity check can be set to control access to a secure message, so the right recipient verifies their identity before they open it. It can also be packaged within a secure message, or run as a standalone check that returns the results on its own. Which approach fits depends on the workflow.

Each completed check provides the sender with an IDV (identity verification) statement for their records, alongside the outcome of the checks that were run.

Here's how it works:

1️⃣ The sender requests an identity check, and the recipient receives a secure email asking them to verify their identity.

2️⃣ They follow the instructions to capture their passport or driving licence using their mobile device's camera, and have proof of address to hand where a KYC or AML check is included.

3️⃣ A live selfie or 'liveness' check matches the recipient's face to their document, an identity match confirmed with biometric checks.

4️⃣ The sender receives a results pack: an IDV statement and the outcome of the checks.

The results pack is returned as an encrypted Mailock secure email that Mailock cannot read, so the evidence is yours to download and keep. An IDV statement can support the sender’s records and help evidence that identity was checked.

In higher-value KYC and AML processes, verifying identity as part of the secure exchange can reduce delays caused by waiting for customers to submit documents.