> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fastcac.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Verify your identity

> Your BVN and a selfie to verify the business, or a NIN to create live keys.

You don't need to verify anything to use test mode. You verify your identity to go live. It's
free.

## Who needs which check

| You want to | You need |
| - | - |
| Use test mode | Nothing. |
| Join a team by invite | Nothing. |
| Verify the business (take the organization live) | To be an owner or admin, and your BVN and a selfie. |
| Create a live key | To be an owner or admin, and your BVN and a selfie, **or** your NIN. |

## Your BVN and a selfie

This is for the owner or admin who will verify the business. Open **Compliance** (or the identity
step during setup) and fill in **1. Identity**:

1. Type your 11-digit **Bank Verification Number (BVN)**. Your bank or banking app can show it.
2. Click **Take a selfie**, then **Take photo**. Face the camera, close up, in good light.
3. Click **Verify**.

If your camera doesn't work, click **Choose a photo** (JPEG or PNG, under 5 MB), or
**Try the camera again**.

We look up your BVN and compare your selfie with the photo your bank holds for it. If they match,
you're verified. **Your profile** then shows your legal name from the BVN.

Developers and viewers don't see this form on **Compliance**. An owner or admin does this step.

### Your BVN stays private

* It's encrypted and never shown to anyone, including your teammates.
* It's only used if you verify a business: [Bachs](https://app.bachs.io/signup?ref=DABODE) opens its funding account in the
  business's name, with you as its representative. See
  [Who the funding account belongs to](https://docs.fastcac.com/dashboard/compliance.md#who-the-funding-account-belongs-to).
* The selfie is only used for the check.
* One BVN can be verified on one FastCAC account only.
* If your profile has no name, phone or photo yet, we fill them in from your BVN record. Your
  bank's photo becomes your profile picture. Change or remove it on **Your profile**.

### If it doesn't work

| Message | What to do |
| - | - |
| We couldn't find that BVN | Check the 11 digits and try again. |
| Your selfie doesn't match the photo your bank holds | Take it again, facing the camera in good light. |
| We couldn't see your face clearly | Take it again, closer, in better light. |
| Your bank has no photo on this BVN | [Contact us](mailto:hello@fastcac.com). |
| This BVN is already verified on another FastCAC account | Sign in with that account, or [contact us](mailto:hello@fastcac.com). |
| We couldn't reach the identity service | Try again in a few minutes. This doesn't use up an attempt. |
| Too many attempts | You get 3 attempts. [Contact us](mailto:hello@fastcac.com) and we'll help. |

## Your NIN, for live keys only

Owners and admins who didn't verify the business can verify their 11-digit **NIN** instead. It's
enough to create live keys:

1. Open **API keys** in live mode and click **Create live key**.
2. The dashboard asks for your NIN first. Type it and click **Verify**.
3. Name your key and click **Create key**.

**Your profile** then shows **Verified with your NIN**. One NIN can be verified on one account only.
A NIN isn't enough to verify the business: that needs a BVN and a selfie.

| Message | What to do |
| - | - |
| We couldn't find that NIN | Check the 11 digits and try again. |
| This NIN is already verified on another FastCAC account | Sign in with that account, or [contact us](mailto:hello@fastcac.com). |
| Too many attempts | You get 3 attempts. [Contact us](mailto:hello@fastcac.com) and we'll help. |

Developers and viewers can't create live keys. See [Team and roles](https://docs.fastcac.com/dashboard/team.md).


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