Which document is typically used to verify a customer's identification?

A government-issued ID is the most reliable document for verifying a customer's identification because it is an official form of identification that includes critical information such as the person's name, photograph, date of birth, and often an address. This type of ID is issued by a recognized authority, typically a government entity, which lends it credibility and legitimacy.

In the context of banking and financial transactions, having a government-issued ID helps tellers and financial institutions ensure they are complying with regulations such as the USA PATRIOT Act, which mandates identification verification to prevent fraud and money laundering.

While other documents like a social security card or utility bill may contain personal information, they do not usually include a photo or the same level of government verification that an ID does. A bank statement can also provide details about a customer’s account but does not serve as an identification document in the same way a government-issued ID does.