Tenant identity verification

Verify your applicant is who they say they are.

A government-issued ID scan plus a live selfie confirms your applicant is a real person and matches the name on the application. Add it to any screening in one click.

Government ID + live selfie Liveness detection FCRA Compliant $2.95 add-on to any package
Sample identity verification match An illustration of a government ID card next to a live selfie circle with a camera badge, above the label "identity verified". Government ID LIVE SELFIE +
IDENTITY VERIFIED
Government ID scan + liveness match
Illustrative sample. Actual verification steps are guided on the applicant's device.

What is tenant identity verification?

Tenant identity verification confirms that a rental applicant is who they claim to be before a landlord reviews their screening report. The applicant submits a photo of a government-issued ID and a live selfie. With Checkr Tenant, automated checks confirm the ID is genuine, the selfie matches the ID photo, the applicant is a real live person rather than a photo or video replay, and the ID has not expired.

Inside an identity verification

Six automated checks confirm your applicant is real.

Identity verification isn't just "did they upload a photo." Each submission runs through a set of automated checks so you can trust the result instead of eyeballing an ID yourself.

01.
Liveness

Confirms a real, live person is taking the selfie, not a photo, video, or mask.

Catches
Photos, videos, and masks held up to the camera
02.
Authenticity

Confirms the government-issued ID is genuine and hasn't been altered.

Catches
Fabricated, edited, or altered IDs
03.
Name match

Confirms the name on the ID matches the name on the application.

Catches
Someone applying under the wrong name
04.
Face match

Matches the live selfie to the photo on the ID to confirm the same person.

Catches
Someone using another person's ID
05.
Age

Confirms the applicant meets the minimum age to enter a lease.

Catches
Applicants under the legal signing age
06.
Not expired

Confirms the ID is current and hasn't lapsed.

Catches
Lapsed IDs that are no longer valid

Checks run automatically as part of every identity verification submission.

One price

Add on to any package.

Identity verification isn't locked to a premium tier. Add it to Starter, Essential, or Complete for the same $2.95, so cost is never the reason you skip verifying an applicant.

The applicant pays at checkout along with the rest of the screening fee. No monthly fees, no contracts, no separate product to manage.

Same add-on price, every package
Starter ($24.99) +$2.95
Essential ($34.99) +$2.95
Complete ($44.99) +$2.95

Identity verification add-on pricing is the same across every package.

Identity verification vs. other checks

Different questions, same report.

Identity verification, background checks, and credit checks answer different questions about an applicant. Checkr Tenant runs whichever combination you need in a single screening.

Identity verification

Confirms the applicant is a real person and matches the government ID and name they provided. Answers "are they who they say they are?" This is what you're on.

Criminal background check

Searches criminal, sex offender, and watchlist records once identity is established. Answers "what does their record show?"

Credit check

Pulls credit score, payment history, and debt from the credit bureaus. Answers "can they afford the lease?"

One dashboard. Full picture.
Sample preview of Checkr Tenant applicant dashboard
Photo ID
Credit
Eviction
Criminal
Income

Identity verification, right next to everything else.

See whether an applicant's identity checked out beside their credit, eviction, criminal, income results, and more. All in one dashboard without switching between tools and platforms.

How tenant identity verification works

Verify an applicant in less than two minutes.

The applicant does their part on their phone: a photo of their ID and a quick selfie. You see the result in your dashboard.

  1. 1

    Create your free account

    Takes about two minutes. No credit card. No contracts.

  2. 2

    Add identity verification to any package

    Starter, Essential, and Complete all support it as a $2.95 add-on.

  3. 3

    Send the applicant a screening link

    We text or email the applicant. They photograph a government-issued ID and take a live selfie, guided step by step.

  4. 4

    Review the verification result

    See whether the applicant's identity was confirmed, right alongside their credit, eviction, and criminal background results.

Tenant identity verification pricing

Every package.
Same $2.95 add-on.

Identity verification isn't gated to a premium tier. Add it to Starter, Essential, or Complete. No monthly fees. No contracts.

Starter
$24.99 per screening

Core criminal checks for landlords just getting started.

  • Criminal History Criminal History National criminal database search covering felony and misdemeanor records across 650M+ records in all 50 states, plus county courthouse searches. National DB - State - County
  • Sex Offender Registry Sex Offender Registry Checks all U.S public sex offender registries for registered offenders. 50 State Registries
  • Global Watchlist Global Watchlist Search Searches a comprehensive list of government and regulatory watchlists. Denied Persons List - Interpol Most Wanted - OFAC Sanctions - FBI Most Wanted - And More
  • Identity Verification for $2.95 Identity Verification Scans the applicant's government-issued ID and uses liveness detection to confirm the document is genuine and the person presenting it is real. Government ID Scan
Start new screening
Essential
$34.99 per screening

The complete picture: financials, rental history, and background in one report.

  • Everything in Starter
  • Full eviction history Full Eviction History Searches housing court records for eviction filings and judgments across 49 states, South Dakota excluded. State Housing Courts
  • Credit Score Credit Score Rental-specific credit scores that gives you the confidence you need to make informed decisions. Credit Report Agencies
  • Credit Report Credit Report Include payment history, number of open accounts, average payment per month, and credit utilization ratio. Credit Reporting Agencies
  • Identity Verification for $2.95 Identity Verification Scans the applicant's government-issued ID and uses liveness detection to confirm the document is genuine and the person presenting it is real. Government ID Scan
Start new screening
Suggested
Complete
$44.99 per screening

Adds income verification on top of the full background and credit picture.

  • Everything in Essential
  • Income Information Income Verification Verifies income directly from the applicant's bank account. No pay stubs or uploads required. Bank Records
  • Assets & Bank Report Assets & Bank Verification Directly information from your renter's bank account, allowing you to know asset and income stream information from source. Bank Data
  • Identity Verification for $2.95 Identity Verification Scans the applicant's government-issued ID and uses liveness detection to confirm the document is genuine and the person presenting it is real. Government ID Scan
Start new screening

Decide who pays, you or the other party. Identity verification adds $2.95 to any package.

Tenant identity verification FAQ

Quick answers

What is tenant identity verification?

Tenant identity verification confirms that a rental applicant is who they claim to be before a landlord reviews their screening report. The applicant submits a photo of a government-issued ID and a live selfie. Automated checks confirm the ID is genuine, the selfie matches the ID photo, the applicant is a real live person, and the ID has not expired.

What do renters need to verify their identity?

A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID, and a device with a camera to take a live selfie. The process is guided step by step and takes about two minutes.

How much does identity verification cost for tenant screening?

Identity verification is a $2.95 add-on you can attach to any Checkr Tenant package: Starter ($24.99), Essential ($34.99), or Complete ($44.99). There are no separate contracts and no monthly fees.

What does identity verification check?

Checkr Tenant's identity verification checks liveness (a real person, not a photo or video replay), document authenticity (the ID hasn't been altered or fabricated), whether the name on the ID matches the application, whether the selfie matches the ID photo, whether the applicant meets minimum age, and whether the ID is expired.

How is identity verification different from a background check?

Identity verification confirms who the applicant is, using a government-issued ID and a live selfie. A background check searches criminal, eviction, or credit records once identity is established. They answer different questions and are often run together in the same screening.

How long does identity verification take?

The applicant's part takes about two minutes on their phone. Most results appear in your dashboard shortly after the applicant completes the ID scan and selfie, alongside the rest of the screening report.

Is identity verification required to screen a tenant?

No. Identity verification is an optional $2.95 add-on to any Checkr Tenant package. Many landlords add it to reduce the risk of a fraudulent application before running credit, criminal, or eviction checks.

Is it legal to require ID verification from a rental applicant?

Yes. Requiring an applicant to verify their identity as part of a rental application is standard practice and legal in all 50 states. Checkr Tenant is FCRA compliant, and the applicant completes verification as part of their own consented screening flow.

Have a different question? See our full FAQ.

Get started

Verify a tenant's identity today.

Create your free account and send your first identity-verification invite in about two minutes. Decide who pays, you or the other party. Takes about two minutes on their end.

Verify an applicant

$2.95 add-on to any package - Government ID + live selfie - The applicant pays