# Biometric Identity Document Verification

**Biometric Identity Document (ID) Verification** helps confirm that a visitor is using their own ID for security screening. When enabled, the system compares the visitor’s selfie to their photo ID, allowing Guest to verify the required information for screening.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Biometric ID Verification cannot be enabled in Guest sites located in Illinois and Portland, Oregon. 
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{% hint style="danger" %}
You need **Workplace Site Admin** permissions to modify Guest Types.
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***

## Configuration

Biometric ID Verification can be managed at the Guest Type level.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Workplace > Guest.**
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{% step %}
**On the left navigation, click Guest Settings.**
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{% step %}
**Under Sites > Guest Types, click Manage Guest Types.**
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{% step %}
**Select the desired Guest Type.**
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{% step %}
**Add or modify the** [**Security Screening**](https://help.verkada.com/guest/configuration/guest-security-screening) **step.**
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{% step %}
**Toggle on Biometric ID Verification.**
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### Supported iPads

<table><thead><tr><th width="156.640625">iPad Model</th><th>Generation</th><th>Front Camera Resolution (MP)</th><th>Back Camera Resolution (MP)</th><th>Supports Biometric ID Verification?</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>iPad</td><td>10,11</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>iPad</td><td>9</td><td>12</td><td>8</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>iPad Pro 11 -in.</td><td>3,4,5,6</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>iPad Pro 13 -in.</td><td>1,2</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>iPad Pro 12.9 -in.</td><td>5,6</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>iPad Air 11 -in.</td><td>6,7</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>iPad Air 13 -in.</td><td>6,7</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>iPad Mini</td><td>6,7</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>Yes</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Additional verification for unsupervised sign-ins

When a visitor signs in from a mobile device or registers for an event, Biometric ID Verification requires them to complete a liveness check. The purpose of this check is to increase confidence that the selfie is of a person who is physically present and to help prevent impersonation.&#x20;

{% hint style="danger" %}
Visitors must use a camera-enabled device and grant browser camera access to complete Biometric ID Verification.
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***

## Review Biometric ID Verification results

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You need at least **Workplace Site Viewer** permissions to review Biometric ID Verification results.
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If a visitor fails Biometric ID Verification, a user must resolve the issue in Command. Staff have five hours to address kiosk and mobile sign-in issues and can resolve event registration issues until the event ends.&#x20;

Manually dismissing Biometric ID Verification issues allows Guest to continue with the security screening.

#### Face comparison

Face comparison evaluates whether a visitor’s selfie matches their photo ID and flags any issues for review.

* **Visitor did not pass face comparison:** Guest requires a Workplace user to review any instance where a visitor fails the face comparison during Biometric ID Verification.
* **Face comparison could not be completed:** Sometimes a face comparison cannot be completed (for example, if the ID fails to scan or the ID headshot is low quality). In these cases, Guest indicates that a resemblance check was not performed.

#### Liveness check

If a visitor fails the liveness check, Guest displays the photo captured during the check. Staff should verify that this photo matches the visitor’s face.

#### Deny Entry

Staff can take the following actions when a visitor fails Biometric ID Verification:

* **Deny entry:** If staff confirm that a visitor attempted to misrepresent their identity, they can select **Deny Entry**, which sends notifications to [relevant contacts](https://help.verkada.com/guest/configuration/security-screening-settings#staff-notifications).
* **Override denial:** After a visitor is denied entry for failing Biometric ID Verification, a Workplace user can choose to allow entry from Command.

***

## Data retention

The face data used for Biometric ID Verification is deleted immediately after the check.&#x20;

By default, images of IDs are deleted for approved visitors after all security screening issues are resolved. ID images can be saved after sign-in if **Save Photo ID in Records** is enabled in Command.&#x20;

The system sends a PDF record of the issue to all [staff notification contacts](https://help.verkada.com/guest/configuration/security-screening-settings#staff-notifications) if Biometric ID Verification denies a visitor entry. This record is available on Command for the shorter duration of [Retention of Saved Identification Info](https://help.verkada.com/guest/configuration/security-screening-settings#retention-of-saved-identification-info) and [Retention of Visit Records](https://help.verkada.com/guest/configuration/manage-data-retention-in-guest).&#x20;

***

## FAQ

<details>

<summary>Which identity documents are supported for Biometric ID Verification?</summary>

* US state-issued ID cards
* US driver’s licenses
* Mexican Consular cards
* US passport books
* US green cards
* US work permits
* Nexus cards

</details>

<details>

<summary>Is Biometric ID Verification supported for Approved List applications?</summary>

No, Biometric ID Verification is not currently supported for Approved List applications.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can a visitor skip Biometric ID Verification when signing in from a mobile device?</summary>

No. If a Guest Type has Biometric ID Verification enabled, visitors signing in from a mobile device or registering for an event must complete the liveness check and **cannot skip it**.

</details>

<details>

<summary>How can I enable Biometric ID Verification for kiosk sign-in only, without applying it to mobile sign-in or event registration?</summary>

Use Guest Type Visibility Controls to configure where each Guest Type appears. Select which Guest Types are available for kiosk sign-ins and which are supported for mobile sign-in and Guest Events.

</details>

<details>

<summary>How do pinned steps affect Biometric ID Verification?</summary>

For Guest Types with Biometric ID Verification enabled:

1. A face comparison will always be run.
2. If the security screening step is pinned, Guest can retain a visitor's ID image for 90 days, after which this step must be completed again. The security screen will only automatically reuse a previous ID scan for sign-ins on the kiosk. This information is retained only if the visitor opts in during the initial scan.
3. If the badge photo step is pinned, Guest can recall a visitor's selfie on kiosk sign-ins only. Signing in from a mobile device or registering for a event will always require a liveness check.

</details>