AML checks on every party, against PEP, sanctions and adverse media.
Screening and background checks: PEP, sanctions and adverse media, on every party.
What an AML check is
An AML check is the everyday name for customer due diligence (CDD). Wherever a business is regulated, the rules ask much the same things before it acts for a client: who the client is, who acts for them, who owns or controls them, whether any of them is a politically exposed person or under sanctions, and the purpose of the relationship. If the business can’t establish those, it must not start.
Screen is the part of the check that searches lists: every party is checked against PEP, sanctions and adverse media sources, using the name and date of birth from their verified ID. The rest of the check runs in the other four workflows, inside the practice software you already use.
What an AML check covers, and where each part runs
Sources: AUSTRAC, Overview of initial customer due diligence; AUSTRAC, Overview of ongoing customer due diligence; StackGo workflow definitions Reviewed
The detail differs by country. Each regime sets its own triggers, thresholds and PEP rules, so the regulatory spotlight below links each one to the exact obligation, from PEP checks under the UK’s regulation 35 to targeted financial sanctions in Australia.
An AML check is not a one-off. Regulators expect due diligence to continue for as long as the relationship lasts: reviewing each client’s risk and updating their details where needed. Monitor re-screens clients every month and schedules reviews by risk.
Been asked to complete an AML check by your accountant, lawyer, broker or agent? Here’s what happens when you complete your IdentityCheck.
How Screen runs
Screening and background checks on every party to a client or entity: politically exposed persons, sanctions lists, and adverse media. It runs on the verified result automatically, with no extra data entry.
One click from you. Under a minute from them.
Trigger it from the record
- One click from the client record
- Nothing retyped
- Works in 100+ platforms
- Individuals, companies, trusts and SMSFs
Your client gets a branded invite
- Your firm's logo and sender name
- Email or SMS
- Automatic reminders
- Phone or desktop
- Multi-language
Identity and screening run
- No account, no login
- Biometric verification with liveness
- ID from 230+ countries and territories
- Under 1 minute
- Anytime, any place
- PEP, sanctions and adverse media, where AML applies
The result writes itself back
- Status and result on the client record
- Private link to the full report
- No personal data written into your software by default
- Documents and images kept in the IdentityCheck vault
What it screens against
Identity is verified first. Then the full legal name and date of birth are taken from the document and screened, so we screen a verified name, not a typed one.
Screening runs on every positive ID check, per your account settings. No extra data entry or manual effort.
Every party to a client or entity is screened, including directors and beneficial owners.
Over 3,000 PEP data sources, added to daily.
Over 70 international and domestic sanctions lists, updated every 30 minutes.
A live search of over 15,000 sites in 195 countries for negative coverage, including news, tax offices, police, financial-crime and criminal investigations, and most-wanted lists.
Social media, tabloids, blogs, untrusted news and paid-article sites are left out of adverse media, to cut false positives.
Results show on the client's result, with a link to the detail of any possible match, and can be included in the PDF report.
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“The IdentityCheck team was fantastic to work with. They implemented the HubSpot integration in just a few days, succeeding where previous attempts had failed for months.”
Regulations this helps with
- AML/CTF Act 2006 (Tranche 2)s 28Check PEP status and targeted financial sanctionsAML
- AML/CTF Rules 2025Part 6Screen for PEPs and targeted financial sanctionsAML
- Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011DFAT Consolidated ListDon’t deal with designated persons or their assetsAML
1 more, including data protection
- Money Laundering Regulations 2017reg 35 · reg 33Screen and apply enhanced due diligenceAML
- Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018OFSICheck the UK sanctions list; don’t deal with designated persons’ fundsAML
- Failure to prevent fraudECCTA 2023 s 199Due diligence on associated personsAML
1 more, including data protection
1 more, including data protection
1 more, including data protection
Each link opens the obligation on our regulation guide. IdentityCheck runs these checks and keeps the record; your own risk assessment and program decide how you apply them. General information, not legal advice.
Common questions about Screen
What is an AML check?
An AML check is customer due diligence. The business confirms who you are, who owns or controls you if you are a company or trust, and whether you are a politically exposed person or under sanctions, and it records how it established each one. [See the regulations by country](#regulations).
Who has to run AML checks?
Businesses in their country's regulated sector, before they act for a client. Depending on the country, that includes lenders and finance firms, accountants, lawyers, conveyancers, real estate agents, trust and company service providers and dealers in precious metals and stones. Find the rules for your country.
I have been asked to complete an AML check. What happens?
If the business uses IdentityCheck, you open the link it sends, answer any questions it asks, photograph your original ID and take a selfie. The result goes to the business that asked. See what to expect.
What does a possible match mean?
A possible match is a prompt to look, not a confirmation. Screening searches by name, for the widest coverage, so a match can be someone else with the same name. Open it from the result to see the detail and compare it with your client.
Which sanctions lists do you screen against?
Over 70 international and domestic sanctions lists, including the UK sanctions list, updated every 30 minutes. Contact us for the full list.
Does a clear result mean clear forever?
No. Clients can be re-screened on a schedule set by their risk profile, or kept under ongoing monitoring. See Monitor.
Do I have to type the client's details in?
No. Screening uses the name and date of birth read from the verified ID document, so nothing is retyped.
What does screening cost?
Each screen is charged at your plan's rate and drawn from your monthly plan credit. See pricing.
Ready to make onboarding minutes, not hours?
Start free and run your first check today, or book a demo and we will walk you through it.