KYC Requirements

Cadana requires the following information to verify an individual user's identity ("KYC"). Automated verification is performed using gov databases.

Endpoint:

Full API docs: Submit KYC

Personal Information

The following personal details are required to initiate identity verification:

Requirement	API Field	Rules
First Name	`firstName`	Must match government-issued ID exactly
Last Name	`lastName`	Must match government-issued ID exactly
Date of Birth	`dob`	Format: YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 1990-01-15)
Nationality	`nationality`	2-letter ISO country code (e.g., US, NG, KE)

Identity Document Requirements

A valid government-issued identification document is required for verification.

Supported Document Types

Document Type	API Value	Notes
Passport	`PASSPORT`	International passports from any country
Driver's License	`DRIVER_LICENSE`	Valid driver's license with photo
National ID Card	`NATIONAL_ID`	Government-issued national identity cards
ID Card	`ID_CARD`	Generic government-issued ID card
Voter ID Card	`VOTER_ID_CARD`	Voter identification card
Resident Card	`RESIDENT_CARD`	Resident permit or card

Document Details

The following information about user's identity document is required:

Requirement	API Field	Rules
Document Type	`idDetails.type`	One of: `PASSPORT`, `DRIVER_LICENSE`, `NATIONAL_ID`, `ID_CARD`, `VOTER_ID_CARD`, `RESIDENT_CARD`
Document Number	`idDetails.number`	Unique identifier on the document
Issuing Authority	`idDetails.issuedBy`	Name of the authority that issued the document
Issue Date	`idDetails.issuedDate`	Format: YYYY-MM-DD
Expiration Date	`idDetails.expirationDate`	Format: YYYY-MM-DD. Document must not be expired
Issuing Country	`idDetails.issuedCountryCode`	2-letter ISO country code

Document Images

Upload clear images of user's identity document:

Requirement	API Field	Required	Notes
Front of ID	`idDetails.frontFileId`	Yes	Clear photo of document front
Back of ID	`idDetails.backFileId`	No	Required for driver's licenses and some national IDs
Selfie	`idDetails.selfieFileId`	Yes	Photo of user holding the document

Image Requirements:

Images must be clear and readable
All text and photos on the document must be visible
Supported formats: JPEG, PNG
File must be uploaded first via the file upload endpoint to obtain a fileId. See File Upload Endpoint

Address Information (Optional)

You may optionally provide address information. If provided, all required address fields must be completed:

Requirement	API Field	Required if address provided
Street Address	`address.line1`	Yes
Address Line 2	`address.line2`	No
City	`address.city`	Yes
State/Province	`address.state`	Yes
Postal Code	`address.postalCode`	Yes
Country	`address.countryCode`	Yes (2-letter ISO code)

Address Proof Document

If you need to verify user's address, you can upload a proof of address document:

Requirement	API Field	Required
Address Proof	`addressProofFileId`	No

Acceptable address proof documents include:

Utility bills (dated within the last 3 months)
Bank statements (dated within the last 3 months)
Government-issued documents showing user's address

Example KYC Submission

{
  "firstName": "John",
  "lastName": "Doe",
  "dob": "1990-05-15",
  "nationality": "US",
  "idDetails": {
    "type": "PASSPORT",
    "number": "123456789",
    "issuedBy": "U.S. Department of State",
    "issuedDate": "2020-01-10",
    "expirationDate": "2030-01-09",
    "issuedCountryCode": "US",
    "frontFileId": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
    "selfieFileId": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440001"
  },
  "address": {
    "line1": "123 Main Street",
    "line2": "Apt 4B",
    "city": "San Francisco",
    "state": "CA",
    "postalCode": "94102",
    "countryCode": "US"
  }
}

Verification Process

What Happens After Submission

Processing - Documents are submitted for automated verification
Review - If automated checks cannot verify user's identity, a manual review may be required
Decision - You will receive a verification notification through User KYC Updated Event. For failed verification, the failure reason will be available in the user's KYC