Video identification (IDnow)

Description

Request to verify your data
You have registered with an online public service using your AGOV-Login, or have created a new AGOV account. After logging in or registering, you will be asked to verify your data. In this case, the online service will require a higher level of proof of identity than your AGOV account currently has.
Image to start verifying your personal data.
Click on the image to enlarge


Once the required identity verification has been completed, your AGOV-Login can be used with the online service. Various verification procedures are available for proof of identity, depending on your place of residence. The following section describes the video identification (ID verification) process.


Instructions

Video identification
Identity verifications can be performed online on a PC/laptop or on a smartphone/tablet.

Requirements

  • Video identification can be used by private individuals with a Swiss or foreign domicile address. It takes about 30 minutes.
  • The identity verification is valid for 5 years.
  • The following identity documents are accepted for video identification:
    • ID cards and passports in accordance with Country list.
      • Swiss residence permits are not accepted.
      • Other documents such as driving licences, SwissPass, student IDs, etc. are not accepted.
  • Video identification can be performed in the web browser on a PC/laptop or using the IDnow app on a smartphone/tablet. The microphone and webcam must be enabled on the device used.
  • The AGOV account holder must be present in person for video identification. It is not possible to use a proxy.
Opening times
Video identification is performed by IDnow and is available Monday to Saturday from 7am to 10pm, excluding public holidays. In the event of longer waiting times, it is possible to request a callback.

Registration for identity verification

  1. Identity verification is started automatically when you log in to or register with an online service. Click on Start verification.
    Prompt to start the verification
    Request for verification of an existing AGOV account


    Prompt to start the verification
    Request for verification of a newly registered AGOV account


  2. The available verification methods are determined based on your domicile address and ID document. Click on Start.
    Start selection of verification method.
    Start selection of verification method.


  3. The choice of verification methods depends on whether you live in Switzerland or abroad:

    Perform an identity verification with a Swiss domicile address ▼
    ×

    1. Select Switzerland as your place of residence. Click on Continue to verification.
      Picture with country selection to show the available verification methods. Select Switzerland.
      Select Switzerland.


    2. Enter the postcode for your town/city.
      Image for capturing postcodes for Swiss residential addresses to show the available verification methods.
      Entering postcodes for Swiss residential addresses.

    3. The acceptable forms of identification depend on your nationality. First select your nationality and then the type of identification document you wish to use to identify yourself.
      Picture with a selection list of nationalities.
      Selection list of nationalities.


      Choice of identification document for Swiss account holders.
      Permitted forms of identification for Swiss account holders


    4. Select the Video identification option and click on Start.
      Verification methods for identity verification are displayed for selection: postal verification, counter verification and video verification.
      Identity verification using video identification.


      Read the instructions for identity verification with video identification.
      Instructions for the video identification process.
      Instructions for the video identification process.


    5. The data entered in the AGOV account is displayed and can be modified if necessary. You also have the option of entering your AHV details. After checking your data, click on Continue.
      Image for capturing identity information; optionally, the OAIS number can also be captured.
      Collection of identity information; optionally, an AHV number can also be collected.


      Option to enter AHV details
      Screen for displaying personal data and optionally entering SSN (AHV) number
      Display of personal data with optional entry of SSN (AHV) number


    6. Enter your mobile number to receive an identification code by text message. Select the desired correspondence language.
      On this screen, you enter your mobile phone number to receive a verification code by SMS and select the desired correspondence language.
      Enter your mobile number and select the language of correspondence.


    7. Enter your Swiss domicile address and modify it if necessary. When entering the postcode, the correct town/city name is offered for selection. Accept this as shown.
      Display of residential address for verification. Your address is being verified against the Swiss Post address database.
      Provide address data for verification by the Swiss Post.


    8. Check your details. Click on Back to return to the previous screen to make any modifications. Click on Confirm.
      Display of personal data for review and confirmation.
      Check and confirm personal details.



    Perform an identity verification with a foreign domicile address ▼
    ×

    1. Select Rest of the world and click on Continue to verification.
      Select country if you live outside Switzerland.
      Select country if you live outside Switzerland.


    2. The acceptable forms of identification depend on your nationality. First select your nationality and then the type of identification document you wish to use to identify yourself.
      Picture with a selection list of nationalities.
      Selection list of nationalities.


      Selection of the identification document for foreign account holders.
      Permitted forms of identification for foreign account holders


    3. Select the Video identification option and click on Start.
      Picture with a list of possible verification methods: counter identification, video identification.
      Verification methods: switch identification, video identification.


      Read the instructions for identity verification at an AGOV counter.
      Instructions for the counter verification process.
      Instructions for the counter verification process.


    4. The data entered in the AGOV account is displayed and can be modified if necessary. You also have the option of entering your AHV details. After checking your data, click on Continue.
      Image for capturing identity information; optionally, the OAIS number can also be captured.
      Collection of identity information; optionally, an AHV number can also be collected.


      Option to enter AHV details
      Screen for displaying personal data and optionally entering SSN (AHV) number
      Display of personal data with optional entry of SSN (AHV) number


    5. Enter your mobile number to receive an identification code by text message. Select the desired correspondence language.
      On this screen, you enter your mobile phone number to receive a verification code by SMS and select the desired correspondence language.
      Enter your mobile number and select the language of correspondence.


    6. Enter your foreign domicile address or modify it if necessary.
      Input form for entering the home address and country.
      Recording of home address and country.


    7. Check your details. Click on Back to return to the previous screen to make any modifications. Click on Confirm.
      Display of personal data for review and confirmation.
      Check and confirm personal details.



  4. You must confirm your entries with the login factor that you used to log in to the online service:

    Confirmation with AGOV access app on smartphone or tablet ▼
    ×

    The prompts may differ depending on the Android and iOS version.

    1. You will receive a push notification from AGOV access app, which will be displayed in the status bar on your smartphone or tablet. Click on the push notification to confirm the entries with the AGOV access app.
      Request for confirmation of push message in the AGOV access app.
      Push message sent.


      The status bar displays the push notification received for confirmation.
      Push message in the status bar on an Android smartphone.


      iPhone: The notification centre displays the push notification received for confirmation.
      Push message in the notification centre on an iPhone.


      If no push notification is displayed, check whether push notifications for the AGOV access app are enabled (see help article: Why doesn't the AGOV access app receive push notifications?).


    2. Confirm using your PIN, fingerprint or Face ID.
      Confirm the push message in the AGOV access app with your PIN, fingerprint or Face ID.
      Confirmation with fingerprint in the AGOV access app.


    3. Click on Continue to finalise the confirmation.
      Successful registration is displayed in the AGOV access app.
      Click Continue to finalise.



    Confirmation with security key on Windows ▼
    ×

    The prompts may vary depending on the Windows version.
    1. Click on Start confirmation.
      Image with the instructions for confirmation with the security key is displayed.
      Start confirmation.


    2. Select the security key option and connect it to your PC's USB port.
      Select the Security Key option.
      Selecting and connecting the security key.


    3. Enter your security key PIN.
      Enter the security key PIN.
      Enter the PIN of the security key.


    4. Tap to confirm your security key.
      Prompt to tap the security key.
      Tap the security key.



    Confirmation with security key on MacOS ▼
    ×

    The dialogue may differ depending on the MacOS version and the web browser used.

    Dialog with Safari web browser

    1. Click on Start Verification.
      Image with the instructions for confirmation with the security key is displayed.
      Start confirmation.


    2. Select the Security Key option.
      Select the Security Key option.
      Selecting the security key.


    3. Attach the security key to your Mac and tap it.
      Connect the security key to your Mac, tap it.
      Connect the security key to your Mac, tap it.


    4. Enter the PIN of your security key. Tap the security key to confirm.
      Enter the security key PIN.
      Enter PIN security key.


      Re-insert the security key and activate it.
      Re-insert the security key and activate it.


    Dialog with Chrome and Firefox web browser
    1. Click on Start Verification.
      Image with the instructions for confirmation with the security key is displayed.
      Start confirmation.


    2. Select the Security Key option.
      This image shows the selection of the passkey for agov.admin with the USB security key option.
      Select the Security Key option.


    3. Connect the security key to your Mac and tap it.
      Prompt to insert and press the security key.
      Insert and press the security key.


    4. Enter the PIN of your security key. Tap the security key to confirm.
      Enter the security key PIN.
      Enter the security key PIN.


      Prompt to tap the security key.
      Tap the security key.



  5. If the address verification fails, an error message will be displayed. Click on Back and correct any mistakes in the first name, surname and domicile address. Then reconfirm.
    An error message indicates that the address verification has failed.
    Address verification failed.


    If address verification is not possible, refer to the help article Incorrect details for proof of identity .


  6. After successful registration for identity verification, the video identification will automatically start in the web browser. The service is provided by Adnovum and performed byIDnow .

    Confirm the terms of use and the privacy policy. Click on Start video verification.

    Information on the online video identification process. Confirmation of the terms of use and data protection policy.
    Information on the online video identification process.


  7. Select the device with which you want to identify yourself online.
    • Select the option Computer & webcam to perform the video identification in a PC/laptop web browser. Check your mobile number and confirm the other details. Click on Start identification.
      Display of the options for video identification. Computer with webcam or with smartphone tablet.
      Select computer and webcam for video identification.


      Allow the IDnow service to use the microphone and camera.
      Allow the use of a microphone and camera for video identification.
      Allow use of microphone and camera.


    • Select the Smartphone & tablet option to perform the video identification using the IDnow app. Scan the QR code with your smartphone/tablet to install the IDnow app from the App Store. Open the app and enter the Indent ID to start the identification.
      Video identification with smartphone or tablet: Scan the QR code to install the IDnow app and enter ident-ID.
      With a smartphone or tablet: Scan the QR code to install the IDnow app and enter your ident-ID.


  8. How the video identification is carried out depends on the device selected. In both options, you will be guided through the identification process by an IDnow service representative.
    The following screenshot shows the video identification process in a web browser on a laptop with a webcam.
    Video identification process in a web browser on a laptop with a webcam.

  9. The result of the identity verification will be communicated to you verbally. The verification of the documents can take up to 24 hours and will be confirmed by e-mail. After that, the AGOV login can be used with the desired online service.

The following situations may arise during video identification:
  • Identity verification is rejected because the ID is invalid, incorrect information was provided or you did not appear in person. If your proof of identity is rejected, your request will be automatically cancelled and you will have to re-register for identity verification. You can re-register by logging in to the authority's online service again using your AGOV-Login.
  • If the video identification is not performed within 5 days of the registration date, the identity verification will be automatically cancelled. You will then need to register again for identity verification.

Related help articles

Incorrect details for proof of identity
Letter with ID check (Swiss Post)
Counter identification (AGOV counter)
How is the identity verification launched?


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