# Know Your Customer (KYC)

**Know Your Customer (KYC) is a process used to verify the identity and residential address** of all individual users and relevant owners and controllers of a business applicant in order to meet Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulatory requirements. 

Every Rails Pro user must complete two steps before they can trade:

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p><a href="#identity-verification-requirements"><strong>Identity Verification</strong></a></p><p>Prove you are who you say you are.</p></td><td><a href="#identity-verification-requirements">#identity-verification-requirements</a></td></tr><tr><td><p><a href="#proof-of-address"><strong>Proof of Address</strong></a></p><p>Confirm that you reside in a permitted country.</p></td><td><a href="#proof-of-address">#proof-of-address</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="success" %}
By cooperating, you’re helping create a safer, more compliant environment for all users on the platform.
{% endhint %}

***

## Identity Verification Requirements

Identity verification consists of two components:

1. **ID Scan**: Provide a valid, government issued ID to be verified.
2. **Biometric Facial Recognition:** A selfie liveness check is done to ensure you are the holder of the ID.&#x20;

The following specifies which documents are acceptable as well as tips to ensure your ID scan is successful.<br>

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Acceptable ID Documents" %}
At least one of the following government issued ID's is required to verify your identity:

* Passport
* Photo driver’s license with signature
* Armed Forces ID
* Other Government-issued Photo ID
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="ID Scan Requirements" %}
The following requirements will ensure your ID Document verification is successful:

* The document must be valid (i.e. not expired).
* The document must be in good condition (i.e. not scratched, torn, or stained).
* You must upload an original photo (i.e. screenshots and edits are not permitted).
* Both front and back are required, where applicable.
* The photo must be in colour and easily readable.
* All corners of the document must be visible.
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

***

## Proof of Address

Proof of Address (PoA) is a process which helps us confirm that you reside in a [permitted country](https://help.rails.xyz/user-eligibility#list-of-prohibited-jurisdictions). You can verify your address in one of two ways:&#x20;

| PoA  via Geolocation                                                                                                                                            | Documentary PoA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Identify your physical location based on your device’s IP address, GPS, or network data. This is the quickest way to verify your address, but is not mandatory. | <p>Provide a personal document that was issued in the last 3 months to verify your address. Acceptable documents include: </p><ul><li>A bank statement, credit card statement, utility bill or other similar document.</li><li>Contract of employment or banker’s or employer’s written confirmation (must be notarized).</li></ul> |

<details>

<summary><strong>Geolocation PoA Requirements</strong></summary>

* You must enable location services when prompted to do so.
* VPN’s or other location masking tools are not permitted.
* You must be physically located in the same country as that of your ID document.&#x20;

If you don't meet the above requirements, you will be required to complete documentary PoA verification.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Documentary PoA Requirements</strong></summary>

* Identity documents which state your address (e.g. drivers license) are **not** permitted.
* The name on the document must match the name on the IDV document.
* The issue date of the PoA document must be within the last 3 months.
* The address cannot be a PO Box.

</details>