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Definition
Selfie verification is an identity verification method that uses a real-time photo or video of a person’s face to confirm their identity. The captured image is compared against a reference photo, typically from a government-issued ID, using facial recognition technology to determine whether they match.

Why it matters
Selfie verification adds a human biometric layer to the identity checking process, making it significantly harder for bad actors to use stolen or forged documents. It is widely used in remote onboarding flows where in-person verification is not practical or scalable.

Example use case
A user signs up for a digital wallet and uploads a photo of their driver’s license. The platform then prompts them to take a live selfie, which is automatically compared to the ID photo. If the faces match and liveness checks pass, the account is approved without any manual review.