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title: "FAQ: Face IDV vs. Quick IDV – Choosing the Right Verification Method | Realaml Help Center"
description: Realaml Knowledge Base
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# FAQ: Face IDV vs. Quick IDV – Choosing the Right Verification Method | Realaml Help Center

### FAQ: Face IDV vs. Quick IDV – Choosing the Right Verification Method

Learn the key differences between Face IDV (biometric verification) and Quick IDV (non-biometric verification) to determine the best method.

![](https://help.realaml.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/JORDAN_HEADSHOT_2025-1741884224-Apr-29-2026-05-29-19-9906-AM.png)

 Written by Jordan

### **1. What is the difference between Face IDV and Quick IDV?**

Realaml offers **two identity verification options** to give law firms flexibility while ensuring compliance with **AUSTRAC’s Safe Harbour requirements**.

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**Feature**

**Face IDV (Biometric Verification)**

**Quick IDV (Non-Biometric, Flexible Completion)**

**Facial Recognition**

✅ Yes, with live selfie matching

❌ No, uses document & data verification

**PEP & Sanctions Screening**

✅ Yes

✅ Yes

**Compliance Level**

Meets AUSTRAC's Safe Harbour

Meets AUSTRAC's Safe Harbour

**Best For**

High-risk clients, EDD, fraud prevention

Low-to-medium risk clients, faster processing

**Who Conducts the IDV?**

Customer completes facial recognition remotely

Law firm can conduct it directly or send it to the client

**Verification Speed**

Slightly longer (selfie capture)

Faster (instant database verification)

**User Experience**

Extra step but higher security

Seamless, document-based verification

**Risk-Based Usage**

Ideal for PEPs, complex cases

Suitable for standard client verifications

**Verification Requirements**

✅ Must match at least two independent data sources to pass

✅ Must match at least two independent data sources to pass

**DVS Document Verification**

✅ Mandatory or optional, depending on law firm’s requirements

✅ Mandatory or optional, depending on law firm’s requirements

### **2. Why Offer Both Face IDV & Quick IDV?**

✔ **More Control for Law Firms** – Quick IDV can be **completed in-house** by a legal professional or sent to the client for self-completion, offering greater flexibility.  
✔ **Meets AUSTRAC’s ‘Safe Harbour’** – Both Face IDV and Quick IDV are **AUSTRAC-compliant** and meet **Safe Harbour** verification standards.  
✔ **PEP & Sanctions Screening** – Both options **automatically screen customers** against **Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) and sanctions lists**.  
✔ **Ensures Reliable Verification** – Both Face IDV and Quick IDV will **only pass verification if the customer’s information is successfully verified against at least two separate data sources**.  
✔ **DVS Document Verification Flexibility** – **Law firms can choose** whether verifying a document at **DVS is mandatory or optional**, depending on their compliance needs.  
✔ **Enhances Law Firm Adoption** – Some firms prefer **Quick IDV for speed and ease of use**, while others require **Face IDV for higher-risk cases**.  
✔ **Risk-Based Compliance** – Law firms can decide **when biometric IDV is necessary** (e.g., for PEPs or high-risk transactions).

### **3. Which IDV method should law firms use?**

🔹 **For Low-to-Medium Risk Clients:** Quick IDV is **faster and easier**, allowing firms to conduct verifications directly or send them to clients.  
🔹 **For High-Risk Clients (PEPs, EDD):** Face IDV adds **biometric facial recognition** for extra security.  
🔹 **For Law Firms Requiring DVS Checks:** **Both methods allow DVS verification to be mandatory or optional**, based on the law firm’s risk policies.

Both options help law firms meet their **AML/CTF obligations** while providing a **flexible, risk-based approach** to identity verification.

📩 **Need more details?** Contact [support@realaml.com](mailto:support@realaml.com) or +61 423 321 383.

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