> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.withpersona.com/2020-05-18/how-persona-works/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.withpersona.com/_mcp/server.

# How Persona Works

> Understand how Persona collects user data, runs verifications, and returns results to your application.

Persona handles identity verification so you don't have to build it yourself. You create a Persona integration to collect data from your end users, Persona verifies each user's identity, and you retrieve the results to make decisions in your app.

Common use cases include KYC onboarding, age verification, fraud prevention, and trust and safety.

## Integration methods

Persona offers several ways to integrate:

| Method               | What it is                                           | Best for                                           |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Hosted Flow**      | Redirect users to a Persona-hosted page              | Fastest setup, no frontend code required           |
| **Embedded Flow**    | Persona UI embedded in your page via iframe or modal | Seamless UX on your site                           |
| **Mobile SDKs**      | Native iOS, Android, and React Native libraries      | Mobile apps, optimal device signals                |
| **Transactions API** | backend-only verification APIs, no Persona UI        | Fully custom UI or backend-only verification flows |

See [Choosing your integration method](/choosing-an-integration-method) for details.

## Data flow

At a high level, here's how data flows between your users, Persona, and your app:

![sending data to and retrieving data from Persona](https://assets.withpersona.com/f_auto,q_auto/developer-docs/images/how-persona-works/send-retrieve-data.png)

**Sending data:** Your app initiates a Persona inquiry. The end user interacts with Persona's UI to submit their information (e.g. a government ID, selfie, documents, etc). Persona runs verifications and determines a result.

**Retrieving data:** Persona can notify your app via [webhook](/webhooks) when a verification completes, or you can poll the [API](/api-introduction). You use this result to make decisions in your app, such as approving versus flagging a user.

## Core objects

As you integrate with Persona, you will likely work with these objects:

![Persona accounts wrap all inquiries and other data associated with a single user](https://assets.withpersona.com/f_auto,q_auto/developer-docs/images/how-persona-works/account-contents.png)

### Inquiry

A distinct instance of an identity verification. When a user goes through your verification flow, an inquiry is created. An inquiry collects data, runs one or more verifications, and produces a result (e.g. approved, declined, or needs review).

### Verification

A specific check within an inquiry. Persona offers [many types of verifications](https://help.withpersona.com/verifications/features/verification-service-types/), including government ID, selfie, document upload, and database lookup. A single inquiry can contain multiple verification types.

### Account

A container that groups all data for a single person or business. Use [reference IDs](/reference-ids) to link multiple inquiries completed by the same user or business over time to the same account. [Learn more](https://help.withpersona.com/articles/2gE7mjjLCIGJPnK6mTyjU9/) about accounts.

### Report

Reports provide additional information about an end user beyond what they submit directly in an inquiry. Example report types include watchlist screening, adverse media search, address lookup, phone risk, [and more](https://help.withpersona.com/articles/hI9YUPxjW7v46pFfyk6J1/). Reports can be triggered via Persona workflows, or via the API.

### Case

A container for manual review. When something needs human attention, such as an inconclusive verification, a watchlist match, or a suspicious pattern, a Case groups the relevant information for your team to investigate. [Learn more](https://help.withpersona.com/articles/1EJCOF8bL5KRx4pQESw7VB/) about cases.

### Workflow

Automation that responds to events. When an inquiry completes, a [workflow](https://help.withpersona.com/articles/6i3aAp6lBK3FCf08HJgPjh/) can automatically run reports, create cases, update accounts, notify your team, or call your internal systems. You build workflows visually in the Persona Dashboard, with or without custom code.

## Persona API

Of the [many ways to integrate Persona](/choosing-an-integration-method), the methods that work best at scale involve using the Persona API to pre-create inquiries.

Here are a few examples of common actions you can take with the Persona API:

* **Create** inquiries, accounts, and reports
* **Read** inquiry status, verification details, and report results
* **Update** account fields, approve or decline inquiries, add tags
* **Trigger** workflows and resume expired inquiries

See the [API Introduction](/api-introduction) for details.

## Next steps

* See [Choosing your integration method](/choosing-an-integration-method) to pick the right production integration method for your app.
* Looking for more high level information about Persona? See our [Help Center](https://help.withpersona.com/getting-started/).

> Understand how Persona collects user data, runs verifications, and returns results to your application.