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Version: 10.3.0

Best Practices for Verification with HYPR Affirm

Overview​

HYPR Affirm provides secure identity verification through biometric verification and document authentication. These guidelines help users achieve the highest success rates by following best practices for image capture and document scanning. Proper techniques ensure faster authentication, reduce errors, and enhance security.

This guide covers best practices for both biometric verification (selfie capture) and document authentication (ID scanning) to help users complete their identity verification successfully.

Best Practices for Biometric Verification with Affirm​

For the highest success rates in identity verification, users should follow these best practices when capturing a selfie for facial verification. Proper image capture ensures faster authentication, reduces errors, and enhances security.

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
  • Natural daylight is ideal, but if using artificial light, ensure it evenly illuminates your face

Keep Your Face Fully Visible​

  • Center your face within the frame, ensuring your entire face is 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, as 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​

  • Many IDV solutions provide positioning guides—align your face as instructed
  • If prompted to perform an action (e.g., blinking, 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
  • Ensure 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

By following these best practices, users can significantly improve their biometric verification success rates, leading to a smoother and faster identity verification process.

Best Practices for Document Authentication with Affirm​

For the highest success rates in document authentication, users should follow these best practices when capturing an image of their ID document. Proper scanning ensures faster verification, reduces errors, and improves overall security.

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
  • Natural daylight is ideal, but if using artificial light, ensure it's evenly distributed

Ensure a Clean and Flat Surface​

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

Position the Document Correctly​

  • Align the document within the frame, ensuring all edges are visible
  • Capture both the front and back if required
  • Make sure no fingers or objects obscure critical details like 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 ensure all details remain visible
  • Avoid placing the document in direct sunlight or under uneven lighting that creates shadows

Use the Auto-Capture Feature (If Available)​

  • Many IDV solutions have an auto-capture feature to optimize image quality—use it whenever possible
  • 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
  • Poor lighting conditions that create shadows or glare
  • Not checking all document edges are within the frame
  • Moving the device while capturing the image

By following these best practices, users can significantly improve their document verification success rates, leading to a smoother and faster identity verification process.

Additional Tips​

General Guidelines​

  • Take your time: Rushing through the verification process often leads to errors
  • Follow instructions: Pay attention to on-screen guidance and prompts
  • Retake if needed: Don't submit poor-quality images—it's better to retake than to fail verification
  • Test your setup: Practice with your device's camera before starting the verification process

Troubleshooting​

If you encounter issues during verification:

  • 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 identity verification processes, see the HYPR Affirm Overview.