KYC & KYB Processes

How can I perform a KYC or a KYB process for a customer?

To KYC or KYB customers, use the Identity Verification endpoint. At a glance, the workflow will be as follows:

  • Create an identity verification case for the customer.
  • Customer completes the identity verification case via the Persona flow.
  • Database verification and AML screening are performed.
  • The Identity Verification progresses through the states below until it is completed with an outcome of passed or failed.

KYC (Know Your Customer)

Individual customers and beneficial owners of business customers will need to go through a KYC process to verify their identity. The KYC process includes collecting the following information:

  • Government-issued identification card, including:
    • Drivers license
    • Passport
    • Passport Card
    • Visa
    • Residence Card
  • Selfie check that must match the photo ID on the government-issued identification card
  • Database verification for validating the PII (Personally Identifiable Information) against voter, telco, utility or credit databases
  • AML Screening, including:
    • PEP / HIO report
    • Watchlist / Sanctions report
    • Adverse Media Report

KYC and KYB States

Identity Verification State

Description

storing

The identity verification is being created in our system.

waiting

The identity verification has a Persona Inquiry that has not yet been started by the customer.

pending

The identity verification has a Persona Inquiry that has been started by the customer but has not yet been completed by them (i.e. they have entered information but not finished the process yet).

reviewing

The identity verification has been pulled into review and is now with our Compliance team. If the customer fails either the Database Verification or AML Reports the KYC will go into review.

expired

The identity verification was not completed by the customer in time; another identity verification can be created.

completed

The identity verification has been completed and has an outcome of passed or failed.

API Return Codes

The following Government ID and Selfie failures will cause the customer to be rejected. If a customer is rejected, and would like to attempt KYC again, you will need to contact support to update the customer's state to unverified.

Return Codes causing an account to be Rejected

ErrorWhen this error could occur
id_mrz_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on the machine-readable zone (MRZ)
id_presence_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on the presence of the ID.
id_digital_replica_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on it being a digital replica.
id_paper_replica_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on it being a paper replica.
prohibited_person_check_failureFailure due to a person being on prohibited from accessing the service.
selfie_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided selfie photo.
selfie_pose_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided selfie photo based on incorrect poses.
selfie_quality_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided selfie photo based on the image quality.
compliance_rejectionFailure due to compliance rejecting the identity verification

The following failures will cause the customer to remain unverified. The KYC can be attempted again without you having to call support

Return Codes causing an account to stay Unverified

ErrorWhen this error could occur
id_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID.
id_quality_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on the image quality
id_expiration_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on the expiration date
id_double_side_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on both sides not being provided
id_type_allowed_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on the type provided
id_country_allowed_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on the issuing country
phone_number_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the phone number of the person
email_address_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the email address of the person
document_type_check_failureFailure due to the type of document provided not being the correct type
document_quality_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the document based on the image quality

The following Government ID, Database and AML Report failures will go into a manual compliance review, and the compliance team will make a determination to approve or reject the customer KYC.

Return Codes causing Review

ErrorWhen this error could occur
database_check_failureA match for the customers name, address, date of birth, or SSN cannot be found in any of the government databases. Databases searched include Telco, Credit, Voter and Utility database.
id_barcode_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the provided ID based on the barcode
id_number_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying an identification number of the person
duplicate_person_check_failureFailure due to a customer already existing for this person
country_comparison_check_failureFailure due the customer verification being performed out of country
name_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the name of the person
address_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the address of the person
dob_check_failureFailure due to an issue verifying the date of birth of the person
review_requiredThe verification is inconclusive and requires a manual review
pep_check_failureIf the individual is a known Politically Exposed Person (PEP) they may show up on this AML report.
media_check_failureIf the individual shows up on Adverse Media they may show up on this AML report.
watchlist_check_failureIf the individual is on a known government or international watchlist or sanctions list, they may show up on this report.

Additional Documentation Request for KYC

As part of compliance review, the compliance team may request additional documents to verify a customer.

Type of Document RequestedWhen do we request this document
Bank Statement from last 90 daysIf an issue occurs with validating the Date of Birth (DoB) during KYC (or if a utility or telephone bill cannot be supplied fro address issues).
Utility or Telephone BillIf an issue occurs with validating the address during KYC. This includes address verification failures related to Government ID checks or Database Verification checks.

For Businesses (KYB)

Information Collected

Businesses, will go through a KYB process to verify their identity, and each beneficial owner will need to KYC.

The KYB process includes, but may not be limited to, the following:

  • Name of Business and Doing Busines As (DBA)
  • EIN Number
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Website
  • Database Verification
    • Validates name, EIN, address
  • KYC of Beneficial owners with 25% or more of the business
    • All beneficial owners subject to standard KYC checks
  • AML screening of business
    • Watchlist / sanctions report
    • Adverse Media Report

States to understand

Identity Verification State

Description

storing

The identity verification is being created in our system.

waiting

The identity verification has a Persona Inquiry that has not yet been started by the customer.

pending

The identity verification has a Persona Inquiry that has been started by the customer but has not yet been completed by them (i.e. they have entered information but not finished the process yet).

reviewing

The identity verification has been pulled into review and is now with our Compliance team. If the customer fails either the Database Verification or AML Reports the KYC will go into review.

expired

The identity verification was not completed by the customer in time; another identity verification can be created.

completed

The identity verification has been completed and has an outcome of passed or failed.

API Return Codes

  • AML Report Failures
media_check_failure
watchlist_check_failure
  • Tax Identification Failures (EIN)
database_check_failure