Plaid Documentary Verification: How It Works

Plaid’s Documentary Verification helps ensure that the identity documents submitted by users are genuine, valid, and belong to the person completing the verification. Each document goes through a series of automated checks designed to detect fraud, validate accuracy, and confirm compliance with jurisdiction standards.

Users are given three attempts to successfully scan a valid document. If the first or second attempt fails, Plaid provides feedback (such as adjusting lighting or angle) before allowing a retry. After the third attempt, the user is moved forward in the verification flow.

FIs can configure Documentary Verification to always run or to act as a step-up verification only when additional proof is required.

What We Check

1. Identity Data Match

• Name Match

  Confirms that the submitted name matches the name extracted from the document. Small spelling differences, nicknames (e.g., Jack vs John), or hyphenated last names are accounted for.

• Date of Birth Match

  Ensures the submitted date of birth perfectly matches the date on the document.

2. Document Type and Country

• Type Accepted

  Verifies that the document type (e.g., passport, ID card) is supported for the selected template.

• Country Comparison

  Flags if the issuing country of the document does not match the user’s stated country of residence. This may be acceptable depending on the template configuration.

3. Document Integrity

• Document In-tact

  Confirms that the document is undamaged, with all key details visible.

• Document is Active

  Ensures the document was not expired at the time of verification.

• Issue Date Extracted

  Successfully identifies the issue date from the document.

• Detail Check

  Confirms the document’s details align with the jurisdiction’s template, including field placement, coloration, and security symbols.

4. Image and Composition

• Image Contains a Physical Document

  Detects whether the submission is a photo of a physical ID (not a screenshot or scan). Low-quality or tampered images can trigger failure.

• Image Clarity (Blur, Glare, Dimensions)

  Ensures the document photo is clear and usable. This includes three sub-checks:

  • Blur: Detects if the photo is too blurry to read critical details.

  • Glare: Checks for reflective glare that could obscure information.

  • Dimensions: Validates that the document is fully within the frame and properly positioned.

5. Portrait Verification

• Face Matches Document Requirements

  Ensures the photo on the ID meets expected standards (e.g., no glasses if restricted, proper contrast, correct pose). Non-compliant photos may indicate tampering.

• Portrait Presence & Details

  Confirms that a portrait is present and matches expected characteristics for the document type.

6. Fraud and Integrity Safeguards

• Integrity Check

  Detects whether the document has been forged, digitally altered, or otherwise tampered with.

• Fraud Analysis

  Produces an overall risk rating (e.g., Low Risk) based on the combined results of all checks.

Summary

Plaid Documentary Verification provides a multi-layered check of identity documents by:

• Matching submitted personal information with extracted data

• Ensuring documents are valid, unexpired, and in the correct format

• Validating images for quality, authenticity, and compliance

• Detecting tampering and potential fraud

This process balances security and user experience, giving organizations confidence while minimizing friction for legitimate users.

See More:

• We also offer the ability to run identity verification documents through DMV and Secretary of State. See more in this article:📄 Plaid DMV Checks