Understanding Identity Assurance Levels (IAL)

Identity Assurance Levels (IAL) are standards established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to measure how confidently a system can verify that a claimed identity truly belongs to an individual. These assurance levels play an essential role in preventing fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized access across digital platforms.

The Three Identity Assurance Levels

NIST defines three levels of identity assurance, each offering a different degree of verification and security:

Identity Assurance Level 1 (IAL 1) — Some Confidence

IAL 1 offers the lowest level of identity verification. At this stage, no formal proofing is required, and the user’s identity is generally self-asserted. An example is creating an email account using only a username and password.

Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL 2) — High Confidence

IAL 2 requires higher security by verifying the user’s claimed identity either remotely or in person. Proofing may include presenting a driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued ID. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is required, while biometric verification is optional.

Identity Assurance Level 3 (IAL 3) — Very High Confidence

IAL 3 provides the highest level of assurance. Verification must be performed in person, using official documents and mandatory biometric collection (such as fingerprints or facial recognition). This level is used when maximum security is needed.

How Identity Assurance Levels Work

Identity assurance operates across these three levels to provide flexibility for a range of digital identity scenarios. The appropriate level is determined by factors such as business risk, potential for fraud, sensitivity of the transaction, and user experience considerations.

A strong identity proofing system should support multiple identity assurance levels, allowing organizations to apply the appropriate verification based on their specific use case.

Applications of Identity Assurance Levels

NIST’s IAL guidelines apply to nearly all digital identity and authentication use cases, except for national security systems. Government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and private-sector organizations rely on IAL standards to ensure regulatory compliance, protect sensitive information, and maintain secure user authentication processes.

These standards are particularly important for industries managing high-risk transactions or regulated processes, including Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, financial account creation, insurance onboarding, and secure document execution.

As digital identity evolves globally, NIST’s Identity Assurance Levels continue to influence identity verification frameworks adopted in countries around the world.

To learn more about modern identity verification solutions and how they integrate with Remote Online Notarization (RON), visit
ProNotary.com.