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Version: 11.3.0

Best Practices for Verification with HYPR Affirm

Overview​

HYPR Affirm verifies identity with biometric verification (selfie capture) and document authentication (ID scanning). These guidelines help users capture clear selfies and document images, which reduces retries and failed checks. Share them with employees before and during your rollout.

Best Practices for Biometric Verification with Affirm​

Users should follow these best practices when capturing a selfie for facial verification.

Best Practices for a Successful Scan​

Use a Well-Lit Environment​

  • Take your selfie in a bright area with even lighting
  • Avoid harsh light, direct sunlight or strong backlighting, which can create shadows or overexposure
  • Use natural daylight if you can; if you use artificial light, make sure it evenly illuminates your face

Keep Your Face Fully Visible​

  • Center your face within the frame, with your entire face clearly visible
  • Avoid hats, sunglasses or anything that obstructs your facial features
  • If wearing glasses, make sure there is no glare on the lenses

Maintain a Neutral Expression​

  • Keep a relaxed, neutral expression with your eyes open and looking directly at the camera
  • Avoid excessive smiling, frowning or tilting your head, because these can affect verification accuracy

Use a High-Quality Camera​

  • Use the front-facing (selfie) camera of your smartphone for best results
  • Ensure the camera lens is clean and free from smudges

Maintain Proper Focus and Stability​

  • Hold the device steady and allow the camera to focus before capturing the image
  • Avoid shaking the device or taking the picture while moving

Follow Any On-Screen Guidelines​

  • Align your face with the on-screen positioning guide
  • If prompted to perform an action, such as turning your head, do so smoothly

Avoid Overexposed or Blurry Images​

  • Ensure the image is sharp and well-lit before submitting
  • If the image is blurry, retake it instead of submitting a poor-quality photo

Verify the Image Before Submission​

  • Double-check that your face is fully visible, in focus and well-lit
  • Make sure no objects, hair or clothing obscure your facial features

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

  • Poor Lighting: Taking photos in dim or uneven lighting conditions
  • Face Obstruction: Wearing hats, sunglasses or other items that cover facial features
  • Blurry Images: Moving the device while capturing or not allowing proper focus
  • Extreme Expressions: Making exaggerated facial expressions that affect recognition
  • Poor Positioning: Not centering the face properly within the frame
  • Glare on Glasses: Not checking for reflections on eyeglass lenses

Best Practices for Document Authentication with Affirm​

Users should follow these best practices when capturing an image of their ID document.

Best Practices for a Successful Scan​

Use a Well-Lit Environment​

  • Place the document in a bright area with even lighting
  • Avoid direct light sources or glare, which can cause reflections
  • Use natural daylight if you can; if you use artificial light, make sure it's evenly distributed

Ensure a Clean and Flat Surface​

  • Lay the document on a dark, flat, non-reflective surface
  • Avoid holding the document in your hand, because movement can blur the image

Position the Document Correctly​

  • Align the document within the frame, with all edges visible
  • Capture both the front and back if required
  • Make sure no fingers or objects obscure critical details such as the photo, text or barcode

Use a High-Quality Camera​

  • Use the rear camera of your smartphone for the best resolution
  • Ensure the camera lens is clean and free from smudges

Maintain Proper Focus and Stability​

  • Hold the device steady and allow the camera to focus before taking the picture
  • Avoid shaking or moving the device too quickly

Avoid Blurry or Overexposed Images​

  • If the image is blurry, retake it rather than submitting a poor-quality scan
  • Adjust lighting if the image appears washed out or too dark

Check for Glare and Shadows​

  • Tilt the document slightly if there is glare, but make sure all details remain visible
  • Avoid placing the document in direct sunlight or under uneven lighting that creates shadows

Use Auto-Capture When Offered​

  • If the capture screen offers automatic capture, use it
  • Follow any on-screen instructions for best results

Verify the Image Before Submission​

  • Double-check that all document details are visible and legible
  • Ensure no parts of the document are cut off or obscured

Common Mistakes to Avoid​

  • Holding the document at an angle instead of laying it flat
  • Having fingers, objects or glare blocking critical document details
  • Submitting a blurry or low-resolution image
  • Using the front-facing (selfie) camera instead of the rear camera
  • Capturing in poor lighting that creates shadows or glare
  • Not checking that all document edges are within the frame
  • Moving the device while capturing the image

Additional Tips​

General Guidelines​

  • Take your time: Rushing through the verification process leads to errors
  • Follow instructions: Pay attention to on-screen guidance and prompts
  • Retake if needed: Retake a poor-quality image rather than submit it
  • Test your setup: Practice with your device's camera before starting the verification process

Troubleshooting​

If you encounter issues during verification, try the following:

  • Ensure you have a stable internet connection
  • Try refreshing the page if the camera isn't working properly
  • Check that your browser has permission to access your camera
  • Contact your administrator if problems persist

For more information about HYPR Affirm and what employees see during verification, see the HYPR Affirm Overview.