Selfie Photo Comparison Overview
Selfie photo comparison, also known as biometric verification, is an identity verification method used across all Proof transaction types—Sign, Identify, Verify, and Notarize—where a real-time selfie is matched against a provided photo ID, serving either as the preferred verification method or as a fallback to knowledge-based authentication, with biometric verification accepted for notarizations in Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The short answer: Selfie comparison (also called biometric verification) verifies a person's identity by comparing a real-time selfie to their provided ID. For more about identity verification methods, see the Identity verification overview.
How it works
First, the person verifying their identity:
- 1.Captures images of their photo ID (such as a driver's license).
- 2.Takes pictures of their face.
Next, the system or an agent compares these photos to confirm the person on the ID matches the person completing the transaction.
When selfie comparison is used
Selfie comparison is used across all Proof transaction types — Sign, Identify, Verify, and Notarize. Depending on how the sender configured the transaction, it may be used as:
- The preferred method of identity verification.
- A backup method if knowledge-based authentication (KBA) can't be used — see more about fallback to selfie comparison.
For notarizations on the Proof platform, biometrics are accepted as an identity verification method for notaries commissioned by:
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New York
- Pennsylvania
Summary Checklist
- Selfie comparison = real-time selfie matched against the provided ID. Also called biometric verification.
- Used across Sign, Identify, Verify, and Notarize — as preferred method or KBA fallback.
- For notarizations, biometrics are accepted in: MI, NV, NY, PA.
Still unsure? Contact Proof Support for help.
Related
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Capture Selfie Photos for Identity Verification – Proof Help Center
The Proof Help Center explains that Selfie Comparison, an IAL2-compliant biometric verification method, securely verifies a signer's identity by automatically capturing real-time selfies and comparing them to their government-issued ID photos, with guidance on proper lighting, removing accessories, and using a smartphone to ensure clear images, and includes steps like centering the face and looking left and right for enhanced verification, serving as a primary or secondary identity check during the signing process.
Fallback to Selfie Photo Comparison – Proof Help Center
When knowledge-based authentication fails and no fraud flags are detected, eligible signers in business or real estate organizations with proper settings enabled can automatically verify their identity via selfie photo comparison, with calls routed first to In-House Notaries in approved states or to On-Demand Notaries in Nevada or Pennsylvania, and verification activity visible to notaries during meetings and to authorized users afterward in the transaction's identity timeline.
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