How do I verify a rental applicant's identity?

Every other check you run assumes you have the right person. A credit report, an eviction search, and a background check are worthless if they belong to someone else.

Rental identity fraud usually takes one of two shapes. An applicant borrows a qualified friend's details to pass screening, or uses a stolen identity to bury their own history. Confirming identity up front closes both doors before you spend money on reports.

Ask for a current, government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. For applicants without a domestic ID, a passport or consular card plus supporting documents can work.

Do not rely on the ID by itself. Pair it with items that independently tie back to the same person:

• A recent pay stub or offer letter showing the same legal name.
• A bank statement or utility bill with a matching name and address.
• The name and details they entered on the signed application.

Study the document itself. Check that the photo matches the applicant, the name and date of birth are consistent across every document, and the ID has not expired.

• Feel for a raised edge or tampering where the photo or text sits.
• Confirm the layout matches a real ID from that issuing state or country.
• Watch for mismatched fonts, blurry printing, or a birth date that does not fit the person.

Electronic identity verification goes further. It checks the document against issuing databases and public records, which is far harder to fake than a doctored photo of a card.

Request the same documents from every applicant and judge them by the same standard. Demanding extra proof from some groups and not others is a clear fair housing risk.

Collect only what you need, store it securely, and delete copies once you no longer need them. What you may request and how long you may keep it can vary. Rules vary by state, so check your state guide at /laws/ and confirm your policy with your own counsel.