Complete List of Acceptable KYC Documents + Verification Solution

What if you had a cheat sheet for one of the most important processes in the digital world? We’re talking about Know Your Customer (KYC), the process of verifying identities to keep your platforms secure and compliant.

But figuring out which documents you need can feel like a confusing puzzle. There are different rules for different countries and special requirements for certain situations. It’s a lot to keep track of!

Well, today, we’re going to break down the complete list of acceptable KYC documents, from the standard IDs to the nitty-gritty of what’s needed for special cases like non-residents and high-risk individuals.

(Plus, we’ll show you a way to handle KYC document verification automatically across any market you enter.)

So stick around because this is the quick overview you’ve been searching for!

KYC Document Requirements: A Quick Overview

When you’re dealing with customers online, you can’t just take them at their word. You need to be certain they are who they claim to be. This required process is called Know Your Customer (KYC), and it’s how you move from dealing with an anonymous user to a verified, trusted customer.

The process relies on collecting and verifying a specific list of acceptable KYC documents. This is a legal requirement based on global standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international organization that leads the effort to fight financial crime.

The goal of using these documents is to build a reliable customer profile by confirming a few key pieces of information. Typically, this means verifying a person’s:

1. Identity
2. Address
3. Income (for certain services)

Of course, not every customer is a simple individual, and you’ll also run into special cases like minors or corporate accounts.

Primary Identity Verification Documents

This is the first and most important step in any KYC check. Your goal is to get undeniable proof of a person’s identity using official documents that are hard to fake.

Government-Issued Photo IDs

Here are some of the most common types of acceptable KYC documents for verifying a person’s identity.

• Passport: Its international standing makes it a top-tier verification document.
• Driver’s License: Conveniently includes a photo, name, date of birth, and address, all in one place.
• National ID Card (more on this in next section): Official proof of identity and nationality for its citizens.
• Voter ID Cards: In some regions, a government-issued voter ID card is also a reliable document for confirming a person’s identity.

These are the gold standard for identity verification because they are recognized almost everywhere and contain strong security features.

Country-Specific Identity Documents

While passports and driver’s licenses are used almost everywhere, you’ll also need to be familiar with the specific national documents required for local KYC checks.

The table below lists some key examples from around the world.

Proof of Address Documents

Knowing who a customer is is only half the battle. You also need to confirm where they live.

1.   Utility and Service Bills

These are a great way to verify an address because they show a person is receiving essential services at a specific physical location. You should only accept recent bills, typically from the last three months. This includes things like electricity, water, gas, or internet bills.

2.   Financial Institution Documents

Bank account statements, credit card bills, and mortgage statements are all good examples. These institutions have their own strict verification rules, so their official documents carry a lot of weight.

3.   Government and Legal Documents

Official mail from a government agency is another strong option. This can include tax notices, letters from a local municipality, or other government correspondence that lists the person’s name and current address. A signed rental or lease agreement is also commonly accepted.

Proof of Income Documents

For financial products like loans or credit cards, you need to answer another key question: can customers afford it? This is where verifying a customer’s income comes in.

1.   Employment-Related Documents

The most direct way to see a person’s current earnings is by looking at documents from their employer. Common examples include:

• Recent salary slips (payslips)
• A formal employment contract with the salary clearly stated
• An official letter from the company’s HR department confirming their income

These are reliable because they show exactly what the person is being paid right now.

2.   Tax and Financial Documents

To get a broader picture of a customer’s financial health over time, you can turn to official tax and bank records. These documents show a more consistent history of their earnings.

The most useful documents here are official income tax returns from the last tax year or several months of bank statements that show regular salary deposits.

Special Category Requirements

From time to time, you’ll need to onboard accounts that require a different set of documents and a more careful approach to compliance. So, here’s how you can handle edge cases.

1.   Minors

Verifying the identity of a minor typically requires documents for both the child and their parent or legal guardian. You’ll usually need the minor’s birth certificate to confirm their age and relationship, along with the guardian’s own government-issued photo ID and proof of address. In some cases, school records can also be used as supporting documents.

2.    Non-residents

For customers who are not residents of the country, you must collect documentation that proves their legal status to be there. This includes their foreign passport along with a valid visa, residence permit, or work permit. In some situations, documents need embassy attestations as well to be considered valid.

3.   Corporate Entities

Onboarding a business isn’t like onboarding a person. You need to verify the company itself by collecting its certificate of incorporation, business licenses, and official documents listing its directors.

You must also identify the people behind it by verifying the Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs). These are the individuals who ultimately own or control the company, and confirming their identities is a critical part of corporate KYC.

4.   Trusts/Foundations

Similar to businesses, verifying a trust requires reviewing its legal charter to understand the full ownership and control structure. You’ll need the official trust deed and other beneficiary documentation to identify all trustees and beneficiaries. This is a necessary step to complete KYC for complex entities.

5.   High-risk Customers

Suppose you identify a customer as high-risk, like a Politically Exposed Person (PEP); standard acceptable KYC documents are not enough. You are required to perform Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD). This means collecting extra documents to get a clear understanding of where their money comes from, such as formal proof of their source of wealth and source of funds.

Solution to Verify KYC Documents Across Major Economies

Now, trying to manage all of this for customers from a dozen different countries is a major operational challenge. Your team cannot be an expert in every national ID and read different languages.

The real question is how you approach it. You can see it as a manual process that slows down customer onboarding, or you can see it as your first chance to offer a fast, secure, and professional experience.

This is where an automated solution can make all the difference. Signzy’s Identity Verification platform is designed to handle these challenges, allowing you to verify thousands of document types from over 180+ countries instantly.

If you are curious to know more about KYC automation, book your demo slot here today!