What Is Identity Verification?
Identity verification (IDV) is the process BoomScreen uses to confirm an applicant's identity before running screening reports. When an applicant's IDV fails, BoomScreen prevents several screening reports from running — including Criminal, Credit, and Housing Court reports — because these reports rely on the verified identity data to function correctly.
An IDV may fail for any of the following reasons:
The applicant's self-attested information does not match a proprietary database check.
The applicant's document verification (such as their government-issued photo ID upload) does not pass.
The applicant's selfie check fails.
When an IDV fails, property managers have two options for how to proceed: Override or Retry.
Override vs. Retry — What Is the Difference?
Understanding the difference between overriding and retrying a failed IDV is important before deciding how to proceed.
Override a Failed IDV
Overriding a failed IDV bypasses the verification error and allows BoomScreen to run the blocked screening reports using the applicant's existing — unverified — identity data.
Cost: Overriding a failed IDV is free of charge.
Use when: You want to proceed with the application quickly and are comfortable running reports without a passed identity verification.
Important: Overriding does not re-verify the applicant's identity. Reports will run using the data already on file, even though IDV did not pass.
Retry a Failed IDV
Requesting an IDV retry asks the applicant to redo their identity verification from the beginning, including their self-attested personal information, document upload, and selfie check. Once the applicant completes the retry, BoomScreen will produce a new IDV result, which can either pass or fail.
Cost: You will be charged for the additional identity verification when the applicant completes the retry. The cost is the same as your initial identity verification fee.
Use when: You believe the applicant's original IDV failure was due to a correctable issue (such as a blurry ID photo or incorrect personal information) and you want a verified result before proceeding.
Important: You can only request one additional retry attempt per applicant.
How to Request an Identity Verification Retry
To request an IDV retry for an applicant, follow these steps:
Open the applicant's application in BoomScreen.
Navigate to the "Identity verification" tab.
If the applicant's IDV has failed, click the "Request retry" button.
BoomScreen will prompt you to confirm the action. Review the following before confirming:
You will be charged once the applicant completes the retry.
You can only request one additional retry attempt per applicant.
Click Confirm to submit the retry request.
Once confirmed, BoomScreen will automatically notify the applicant via SMS (text message) that a retry has been requested. The SMS will include:
Tips and suggestions to help make their second IDV attempt successful.
A direct link for the applicant to re-attempt their identity verification.
After the notification is sent, the applicant's IDV status will change to "Pending" until they complete their second attempt.
What Happens After the Retry Is Completed?
Once the applicant completes their IDV retry, one of two outcomes will occur:
If the retry is successful:
BoomScreen will run any screening reports that were skipped due to the original failed IDV, including Criminal, Credit, and Housing Court reports according to your screening setting.
No further action is required from your team.
If the retry is unsuccessful:
You can choose to override the failed IDV to allow the blocked reports to run using the existing data (free of charge).
You can choose to make a decision on the application based on the information already available.
You will not be able to request another retry — only one retry is permitted per applicant.
How to Cancel an IDV Retry Request
If you decide that the retry is no longer needed after requesting it, you can cancel the request — but only if the applicant has not yet started their retry.
To cancel an IDV retry request:
Open the applicant's application in BoomScreen.
Navigate to the "Identity verification" tab.
Click "Cancel retry."
Important cancellation rules:
If the applicant has not yet started the retry, cancelling is permitted and you will not be charged.
If the applicant has already started the retry, cancellation is not possible and the retry must be completed.
If you cancel a retry, you will be able to request another retry — cancellation does not permanently use up your one retry allowance. However, once a retry is successfully completed, no further retries can be requested.
Frequently Asked Questions About Identity Verification Retry
How many times can I request an applicant to retry their IDV?
You can request a maximum of one active retry attempt at a time. However, if you cancel a retry request before the applicant starts it, your retry allowance is restored and you can request another retry. Once a retry has been successfully completed by the applicant, no further retries can be requested for that application.
How much does an IDV retry cost?
An IDV retry costs the same amount as your initial identity verification fee. You will be charged when the applicant completes the retry — not when you request it. If the retry is cancelled before the applicant starts it, you will not be charged.
How is the applicant notified of the IDV retry request?
BoomScreen notifies the applicant via SMS (text message) as soon as you confirm the retry request. The SMS includes suggestions for making the retry successful and a direct link for the applicant to re-attempt their identity verification.
Can I cancel an IDV retry request after I have submitted it?
Yes, you can cancel an IDV retry request, but only if the applicant has not yet started the retry. To cancel, go to the applicant's "Identity verification" tab and click "Cancel retry." If the applicant has already started the retry, it cannot be cancelled.
Can an IDV retry be requested before the applicant submits their application?
Yes. An IDV retry can be requested both before and after the applicant has submitted their application, as long as the IDV has failed and no successful retry has already been completed.
Need Help?
If you need assistance with identity verification retries or have questions about IDV settings in BoomScreen, please:
Email your Customer Success Manager or reach out to Support — support@boompay.app