How does the identity check by video chat work?

To start the identity check by video chat, your contracting party will send you a link, or you will be directed straight to the POSTIDENT portal. Once your ID document has been pre-validated, you will be connected with a call center agent by video chat who will guide you through the identity check.

During the identity check, two photos from your ID document are usually checked as well as its security features and holograms. Please ensure that you are in a quiet and well-lit environment.

Your photo will then be taken and the identification data that was recorded will be displayed for you to check. Once you have confirmed your data, the identity check is completed and you will be directed back to your contracting party.

For identifty checks as part of the German Money Laundering Act (when opening an account, for example), a TAN will also be sent to your cell phone by text message. Please have your cell phone on hand for this.

The results of the identity verification process are transmitted in encrypted format and are usually available to your contracting party within a few minutes.

The following items are required:

Identification (passport or ID card) with holographic features

Smartphone with the POSTIDENT app and a stable Internet connection

Please download and use the POSTIDENT app in the App Store or in the Play Store.

Simply open the link for identification (including the case ID) on a different device or use the POSTIDENT app.

Requirements:

  • Valid ID document
  • Front and back camera
  • POSTIDENT app for iOS or Android
  • Case ID or QR code
  • Fast and stable Internet connection (3G, LTE or Wi-Fi)
  • Bright and uniform light conditions

Start the POSTIDENT app and enter your case ID or scan the QR code. The app will then guide you through the identification process.

Authorized ID documents are valid German ID cards, official foreign identity cards that are equivalent to a German ID card, and passports, provided that these documents contain visual (holographic) security features and a photograph and are accepted by Deutsche Post as identification. Please note that not all available ID documents can be accepted due to the required security features for documents. Electronic residence titles with the note “PASS(ERSATZ)” are also not supported. If your ID document is not accepted by POSTIDENT by video chat, you can also use our POSTIDENT by post office procedure (if available) or contact your contracting party to discuss other options.

An authorized ID document must contain the information required for identification and be legible (i.e. at minimum be written in Latin characters and Arabic numerals) and decipherable for the service agents.

Please visit our help area if you have any additional questions

Additional information on POSTIDENT by video chat:

The video identification procedure offers you a secure and easy way to confirm your identity by using the POSTIDENT app from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays (including public holidays), guided by a call center agent.