Verify your identity online using Identity Check

You need to verify your identity if this is your first time applying for a benefit or ongoing payment. One way to do this is online, when you apply using MyMSD. This service is called Identity Check.

Verifying your identity helps us protect your identity and make sure we give support to the right person.

Information

If you don’t want to use Identity Check, or can’t use it, you can verify your identity by bringing your ID into a service centre.

Identity Check is a service provided by Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

More information on Identity Check – Te Tari Taiwhenua | DIA

Who can use it

We ask you to verify your identity if you’re a new client or we don’t have the right ID on file for you.

You can use Identity Check when you’re applying through MyMSD for:

  • a main benefit
  • NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension
  • other ongoing payments, e.g. Accommodation Supplement or Childcare Assistance.

You need either a:

  • current NZ driver licence, (you can't use an expired one), or
  • NZ passport that’s current or no more than 2 years past its expiry date.

If your partner (if you have one) needs to confirm their identity as part of your application, they’ll need to bring their ID into a service centre. They can’t use Identity Check.

How to use Identity Check

First you need to start an online application using MyMSD.

How to apply online using MyMSD

During your application, we’ll ask you to verify your identity. Follow the below steps to do this using Identity Check.

We'll cover your data when you use it.

'Cheap as' data

You'll need a:

  • good internet connection
  • device with a camera, and
  • place with good lighting to take the photo (see step 4).

During your application in MyMSD, you'll be asked to 'verify your identity'.

Choose either ‘NZ passport’ or ‘NZ driver licence’ depending on which one you want to use.

Then you'll be redirected to the Identity Check website and asked to agree to the privacy statement.

It’s important to use Identity Check in just one browser. You may not get a successful check if you use Identity Check in more than one browser at the same time.

Enter your details exactly as they are on your ID:

  • name
  • date of birth, and
  • your driver licence or passport number.

You're then guided through having a live photo taken using the camera on your phone or computer.

It's important to:

  • have good lighting, so that all the details of your face are visible. Avoid:
    • shadows on your face, and
    • strong lighting from above or behind.
  • remove anything hiding or shadowing your face, e.g. hats or thick-framed glasses 
  • position your face inside the frame on the screen
  • stay still
  • look at the camera (rather than the screen) with a neutral expression, and
  • be mindful of what's in the background. Only what's inside the frame is used for matching, but a photo is taken of everything on the screen.

Photo matching

Identity Check uses facial recognition technology managed by Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

The 'live photos' you provide during the Identity Check process, are matched with your:

  • driver licence image held by Waka Kotahi, or
  • passport image held by DIA.

The 'live photo' taken makes sure you are who you say you are. It prevents fraud e.g. someone attempting to verify your identity using a photo of you.

More information on Identity Check – Te Tari Taiwhenua | DIA

If the Identity Check is successful

You'll see a message confirming the check has been successful and your identity has been verified.

If the Identity Check is not successful

An unsuccessful check can happen for many reasons, including not having good lighting or a good internet connection.

You can try again up to 5 times. If you’re still unsuccessful, you can try again after 72 hours.

If Identity Check doesn't work for you

To complete your identity verification, you'll need to bring your government-issued ID into a service centre. You don't need an appointment. However, if you have one, you can bring it in with you then.

Verify your identity at a service centre

Keeping your personal information safe

Identity information is a taonga. We’re committed to protecting the information you share with us and keeping it safe.

Identity Check accesses identity information that’s already being kept in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We don’t have access to:

  • your driver licence information held by Waka Kotahi,
  • your passport information held by DIA, or
  • the photo taken during the Identity Check process, or the biometric information used.
Our privacy notice

Related

Identity checks and online verification - Ministry of Social Development
Apply for NZ Super
Apply online
Identity Check – Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs