Manual identity verification is a high-level user authentication process where trained human experts inspect details like document security features, personal information, and photo matching, to confirm the authenticity of user-submitted identity documents and align them with the users submitting them.

Common methods to verify user identity

There are three commonly used manual verification techniques, as described below:

• In-Person Verification: A user is required to be present physically for human review of identity documents.
• Remote Verification: Human reviewers analyze digitally submitted photos or scans of users’ ID documents to ascertain authenticity. At times selfie, face match, and liveness checks may be performed to ensure that the person providing the information is real and present.
• Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of security to identity verification by requiring users to provide answers to specific questions which only they know, or by providing additional information with password such as, OTP (one-time passcode) or a biometric scan.

Importance of manual identity verification

Although manual identity verification is more time-consuming than automated systems, it is useful in high-risk cases that technology may not be able discern, such as when human oversight is needed for more nuanced assessment of document discrepancies, unusual verification needs; or where security standards are non-negotiable and require extra vigilance, including border control, financial services, or legal processes.

Another area where manual identity verification plays an important role is verifying users without standard documents such as refugees or the elderly, as well as when digital systems fail to support uncommon or older identification documents.

Common security features in identity documents

Identity documents often feature security elements that are designed to help confirm their authenticity. These include:

• Holograms and optical variable devices (OVDs)
• Watermarks
• Microtext
• Guilloché patterns
• UV (Ultraviolet) features
• Security threads
• Raised printing or embossing
• Color-shifting ink

Technology supplements manual Identity verification

Manual identity verification is a critical component of rigorous document verification in highly regulated sectors such as finance, fintech, online gaming, and aviation that must comply with stringent KYC requirements.

However, since manual identity verification depends on human judgment, it is not only prone to error and bias, but also makes it difficult to consistently identify subtle, complex forgeries, especially as counterfeiting techniques continue to grow increasingly sophisticated. Therefore, relying solely on manual identity verification can create inefficiencies while also slowing down the entire process.

Using automated systems can help businesses adapt to sophisticated document fraud techniques, ensure a consistent verification process, and offer high-quality document checks on a large scale.

Automated ID document verification uses advanced technologies, including optical character recognition (OCR), biometric analysis, and artificial intelligence (AI) to closely examine document details, cross-verify information against databases, and catch forgeries with great accuracy. Biometrics has emerged as a useful tool for identity verification. It uses unique biological traits, such as fingerprints, iris scans, or facial features to quickly match users’ biometric data to their physical ID documents and catch fraud attempts.

Best practices for manual identity verification

For an effective manual identity verification system, businesses must:

• Align verification requirements to business and regulatory requirements.
• Employ trained staff that can accurately verify less common or international documents and recognize document security features and potential fraud indicators.
• Leverage tools like magnifying glasses, UV lights, and document scanners to help verifiers spot details that might otherwise go unnoticed or sophisticated forgeries.
• Establish a clear verification workflow that includes step-by-step checks, from initial document inspection to biometric verification, if applicable.
• Maintain detailed records of verification checks, for auditing and training new staff, improving processes over time, and adapting the verification system to the emerging risks and trends.
• Use identity check APIs or SDKs to ensure seamless integration of identity verification tools.
• Review and update the identity verification process for improved accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Manual identity verification with Certta

Certta leverages its deep understanding of how manual identity verification works and combines the power of AI with expertise of its trained human verifiers, to offer the most accurate ID document verification results within a few seconds. With the ability to evaluate several thousand types of documents from disparate geographies and jurisdictions, and access to numerous, reliable, public, private, and government databases, Certta ensures unmatched accuracy in ID document verification for environments requiring high security and regulatory compliance.

Working with Certta, many organizations have saved millions of dollars and found peace of mind that comes with reduced fraud, enhanced customer trust, and sustainable business growth.

To see Certta’s ID document verification solution in action, book a demo now.