All current New Zealand and most international passports are e-passports.

An e-passport (also known as a digital passport or biometric passport) has an embedded microchip that holds the details shown on your passport. It looks just like a traditional passport, except it should show this international biometric symbol:

An NFC scanner can read your e-passport's chip. Most mobile phones now have this NFC technology built in. The ASB ID app uses that technology to make it easy to confirm your identity when opening an account, without having to come into a branch.

Which countries' e-passports work with the ASB ID app?

Your e-passport will need to be current.

If you're new to ASB, or we have reached out to you, we need to confirm your identity (and address if required). Our goal is to make this as easy as possible, whether online or in a branch.

The easiest way to confirm your identity and address is with the ASB ID mobile app. You'll need:

• An ASB username and password. If you don't currently have one you can call 0800 FASTNET (0800 327 863).
• A smartphone with recently updated operating system and Near Field Communication (NFC) capability.
• A current e-passport from an eligible country, with an embedded electronic chip icon on the cover, or a current New Zealand Driver Licence.
• The ASB ID app downloaded to your phone. You can find the app at the  App Store or  Google Play.
  

The app scans your e-passport and then scans your face selfie-style. That is usually enough for us to confirm your identity.

After confirming your address, we use a trusted third party to attempt to verify your address electronically. If we are unable to find a match, we will ask you to upload your proof of address using one of these approved documents.

The document will need to be dated in the last 12 months, clearly show your name, home address and be smaller than 1MB.

You can then upload the document by

• Taking a photo of an original document
• Uploading an original PDF or
• Uploading up to 5 JPEG files

If the app can't confirm your identity or address, you may need to come into a branch instead.

We go to great lengths to protect your privacy. You can find out more about the way we collect, hold and use your information in our Personal Banking Terms and Conditions.

• You may need to check you've given the ASB ID app permission to use your camera.
• Turn your phone horizontally to landscape mode.

If using an e-passport:

• Hold your phone over your passport photo page, ensuring the whole passport page is visible on your screen. Ensure that the chevrons displayed on the screen align with the machine readable zone (the long code at the bottom of your passport photo page). 
• The app will automatically capture the machine readable zone (the long code at the bottom of your passport photo page).

If using a New Zealand driver licence:

• You will need to scan the front and back of your driver licence.
• Your driver licence needs to be scratch free, undamaged and clear enough to read.
• Place your driver licence down on a dark coloured surface.
• Hold your phone over the front of your driver licence, ensuring that the whole licence is within the scanning guides.
• Keep your phone still while scanning the licence. The scan will start automatically.

The ASB ID app takes a scan of your face, selfie-style. A clear image makes it easier to confirm your identity. Follow these simple tips for best results:

• Remove anything blocking your face, like a hat or sunglasses. Normal glasses are OK but avoid glare on the lens.
• Hold your phone vertically, directly in front of you.
• Ensure nobody else is in the background.
• Avoid shadows or very bright light on your face. Stand in indirect sunlight or in a well-lit room.
• The app shows an oval on the screen. Centre your whole head within the oval and move your phone forwards or backwards until the oval turns green.
  
• Keep still and hold your phone still. The app will shine different coloured lights while it scans your face selfie-style.