Overview
Element451’s Identity Verification adds an extra layer of security to your application process by confirming the identity of your applicants using verified documents and selfie checks— all powered by the industry leader in payment and ID verification, Stripe.
This feature is designed to combat application fraud and works alongside tools like the Bolt AI Fraud Detector Agent to ensure that your applicants are who they say they are.
The Student Experience
When ID Verification is enabled for an application, students see a new “Verify Identity” step in the application navigation.
Start Verification: Student clicks the Verify Identity step in their application menu.
Introduction Pop-up: A modal informs the student that identity verification is required and that your institution is partnering with Element451 and Stripe for secure processing.
Terms Agreement: The student accepts Stripe’s Terms and Conditions.
Stripe Verification Process: An embedded Stripe experience begins, where they choose how to complete the verification.
Scan a QR code to continue on mobile.
Copy, email, or text the verification link.
Continue on their current device.
Capture Documents & Selfie: Applicant's submit:
Photos of their ID document (passport, drivers license, government ID, etc.)
A selfie for facial matching. Liveness detection ensures the person submitting the identity is physically present and is not using a photo, mask, pre-recorded video, for deepfakes to by-pass the selfie match.
Verification: Stripe extracts data from the document and:
Compares the selfie to the document image
Matches the name to the name on the application
Checks for document fraud or alterations
Return to Application: The verification status is updated in real time.
Configuring Identity Verification
Identity Verification is configured at the application level, giving you control over where it’s used. You can enable it for some application types and leave it off for others. Just like application fees, when you enable verification, you can choose to require it either before or after the application is submitted.
Go to Applications > All Applications
Open the application you want to update
Click Edit (top right)
Scroll down to the Identity Verification section
Toggle Enable Identity Verification
Toggle Required to Submit
Off: Applicant can submit their application and complete the the verification later
On: Applicant cannot submit their application until verification is compete and in verified status.
Managing Verification Status
ID Verification status is stored in the student’s Contact record.
Steps to view:
Go to Contacts and open the student record
Navigate to More Data > Person Data
Look for the Identity Verification field
From here, you can:
View the Current Verification Status:
Not Verified: Contact has not started the verification process
Started: Contact has begun, but not completed the verification process
Processing: Stripe is currently reviewing the submitted verification information
Failed: Stripe returned a negative result on the verification. This indicates a problem with the document or selfie matching
Mismatch: Stripe validated the document and selfie as matched, but the name on the document does not match the name on the Element451 application
Waived: Contact does not need to
Update Verification Status:
Not Verified: Reset verification status
Waived: Contact does not need to be verified
Only users with the Administer Profiles or Manage ID Verification Status permissions can update a Verification Status.
✨ Pro Tip: Since verification is attached to the contact, applicants only need to verify once, even if they apply to multiple applications that have ID Verification enabled.
Element451 Leverages Stripe for Identify Verification
Stripe is a global leader in identity verification and compliance, trusted by enterprises and educational institutions worldwide. Their platform provides:
🔒 Bank-grade security
All identity data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Stripe’s infrastructure meets the highest standards for data protection, ensuring applicant information stays safe.
🌍 Global support for documents from 120+ countries
Stripe can verify passports, driver’s licenses, and national IDs from around the world—ideal for institutions with international applicant pools.
🔍 Advanced document and selfie fraud detection
Machine learning and AI checks for tampering, reused documents, and fake selfies using liveness detection and biometric matching.
🔄 Continuously updated fraud intelligence
Stripe regularly updates its database of ID formats, regional variations, and fraud tactics to stay ahead of emerging threats and forgery trends.
🛡️ Strict Privacy Compliance
Element451 never stores or sees sensitive data like selfies or ID images. Stripe handles all verification in a secure, privacy-first environment.
Pricing
Identity Verification is available to partners with Element451's AI Workforce Admissions Team as a Usage-Based Pricing Feature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does Stripe check for when reviewing documents?
What does Stripe check for when reviewing documents?
As part of the ID Verification process, Stripe performs automated and manual fraud checks on submitted documents to ensure their authenticity. This includes:
🛑 Document Tampering
Stripe detects whether the document has been:
Digitally altered (e.g., photoshopped or edited)
Reconstructed or forged using templates
Overlaid with false information (like name or date of birth)
🔁 Reused or Stolen Documents
Previously submitted documents across the Stripe network (to detect reuse)
Publicly known fraudulent document formats or templates
Evidence that a document may have been compromised or sold on black markets
🧩 Structural and Visual Consistency
Stripe uses machine learning to analyze the layout and design elements of the document:
Are fonts, logos, holograms, or seals consistent with what’s expected for that country or document type?
Are shadows, edges, or backgrounds suspicious
🕵️♂️ Real vs Fake Documents
Stripe verifies:
Machine-readable zones (MRZ) for passports or licenses
Barcode and QR code data, if present
Document expiration and issue dates
Facial image consistency across documents and selfie
🌍 Global Document Intelligence
Stripe supports over 120+ countries and is trained to detect nuances between:
Different versions of documents from the same country
Old vs. new formats
Region-specific security features (e.g., watermarks, foil stamps)
Why does the applicant need to take a selfie?
Why does the applicant need to take a selfie?
The selfie is a key part of the identity verification process. It allows Stripe to:
Match the student’s face to the photo on their government-issued ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license)
Confirm that the person submitting the document is physically present and not using a photo, video, or screenshot of someone else
This is done through what's called a liveness check—a secure, AI-powered process that looks for subtle signs that the selfie is being taken in real time by a real person.
🔍 What is a liveness check?
Liveness checks help prevent fraud by detecting attempts to spoof the system using:
Photos of an ID holder
Pre-recorded videos or deepfakes
Masks or screen recordings
Stripe’s liveness technology analyzes facial movement, depth, and image quality to determine if the selfie is authentic and live. If the system detects that the selfie may not be real or has been tampered with, the verification will fail—keeping your application process secure.
📌 Note: All selfie data is handled exclusively by Stripe. Element451 never stores or accesses the images.