# stripe-identity

Source: https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/identity-verification/stripe-identity/
Last updated: 2026-09-20
License: content by Start with Identity. Cite the source URL.

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## Overview

Stripe Identity does document and selfie [identity verification](https://startwithidentity.com/guides/compliance/customer-identity-verification-guide/) through a session-based API, launched in July 2021 and now covering 110 enumerated country codes, up from around 30 at launch. Its defining characteristic in a category that quotes privately is published pricing: [1.50 dollars](https://stripe.com/identity) per completed document and selfie verification, 50 cents per US ID number lookup, and the first 50 verifications free.

It is a verification product, not a compliance platform, and reading it as the latter is where buyers go wrong.

## What it is good at

Price transparency and integration ergonomics. A developer can price a verification flow from a public page and ship it the same day, through a Stripe.js modal, a hosted redirect, iOS, Android or React Native SDKs, or a no-code verification link generated in the Dashboard. The session model is clean: create a session, hand over a client secret, receive a verification report and webhook events.

Data-handling controls are better documented than most competitors. Sensitive fields require restricted API keys, plain restricted keys reach results only from the last 48 hours, longer access needs IP-restricted keys, and file links for document and selfie images must expire within 30 seconds. A redaction endpoint exists and is properly specified.

Compliance coverage on the payments side is strong, with PCI Service Provider Level 1, SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type II and a public SOC 3 report.

## Where it falls short

Scope, mostly by design. There is no AML, PEP, sanctions or watchlist screening, no KYB or beneficial ownership verification, and no ongoing monitoring. ID number checks are US only. Address, phone and email checks remain invite only, so four of six documented check types are not generally available.

The prohibited-use list rules out several common applications: no FCRA purposes, no HIPAA data, no government or law enforcement use, no resale as a standalone verification service, and no verification of anyone under 16, which excludes age assurance.

On assurance evidence, Stripe publishes nothing. No ISO 27001 on its own security documentation, no IAL2 conformance, no ISO/IEC 30107-3 PAD certification, no NIST evaluation participation, no accuracy figures. Stripe also places biometric-law compliance on the customer.

Retention is asymmetric: biometrics one year, other verification data seven years, redaction up to four days.

## Pricing

1.50 dollars per document and selfie verification, 50 cents per US ID number lookup, first 50 free, custom above roughly 2,000 identities per month. Model it with our [TCO calculator](https://startwithidentity.com/tools/tco-calculator/).

## Best for, and who should look elsewhere

Choose Stripe Identity for straightforward document and selfie checks at a known price, particularly if you already build on Stripe. Choose [Sumsub](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/identity-verification/sumsub/) for AML, KYB and Travel Rule in one platform, [Persona](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/identity-verification/persona/) for configurable workflows, or [Yoti](https://startwithidentity.com/vendors/identity-verification/yoti/) for age assurance.

## Bottom line

The clearest-priced and easiest-to-integrate verification product available, deliberately narrow, and not a substitute for a regulated KYC or AML programme.