> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL. > For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.mangopay.com/guides/users/verification/downgrade/llms.txt. > For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.mangopay.com/_mcp/server. # Verification downgrade ## Introduction The KYC/KYB verification process consists in verifying the information a user declares against official documents, like a passport. In the case of Mangopay’s hosted verification session there is also a liveness check. Once their documents have been validated as being authentic and consistent with the individual’s data, the user is verified. In the API, the [Natural User](/api-reference/users/natural-user-object-sca) or [Legal User](/api-reference/users/legal-user-object-sca) is verified when their `KYCLevel` changes from `LIGHT` to `REGULAR`. However, if the user’s details subsequently change so they are no longer consistent with the documents, then the documents are no longer adequate proof. In this case, Mangopay applies a downgrade mechanism to mark the relevant **KYC Document** or **IDV Session** objects as outdated. Without the downgrade mechanism, a user could be verified under one name, then change their name, and then make payouts to an external bank account in the altered name. This would present a clear risk of money laundering and terrorism financing. ## What is downgraded Mangopay offers two solutions that allow user’s to become KYC/KYB verified: * A [hosted solution](/guides/users/verification/hosted) (using an [IDV Session](/api-reference/idv-sessions/idv-session-object) API object), where the user enters data on a Mangopay-hosted webpage (and uploads documents if a Legal User), and completes a liveness check using their ID * An **API-based solution** (using one or more [KYC Document](/api-reference/kyc-documents/kyc-document-object) API objects), where the user submits data and static document files on your platform The downgrade mechanism is indicated by the `Status` of these API objects changing to `OUT_OF_DATE` (same value on both IDV Sessions and KYC Documents). Typically, the User’s `KYCLevel` changes simultaneously from `REGULAR` to `LIGHT`, indicating that they have lost their KYC/KYB verified status. If a user loses their KYC/KYB verified status as a result of the downgrade mechanism, they will be unable to exceed the KYC/KYB limits (e.g. request a payout) until they have regained verified status. To do so, they need to complete another IDV Session (or submit the relevant KYC Document again). In the case of the KYC Document, an identity document can be downgraded after submission but before validation. In this case there is no change of verification level because the user was not verified before the downgrade. > **Note** > > **Note - Downgrade may also occur for non-renewal** > > Mangopay requires users to periodically renew their KYC/KYB verification. If a user does not renew their verification before the deadline, then they are downgraded and their `KYCLevel` is changed from `REGULAR` to `LIGHT`. > > For more information on the renewal process, see [KYC/KYB verification renewal](/guides/users/verification/renewal) **→** ## Relevant information fields There are two scenarios in which the downgrade mechanism is applied. ### 1. Change of identity details for natural persons #### Natural user If the following information is changed: * `FirstName` * `LastName` * `Birthday` * `Nationality` Then: * In the **hosted solution**, the `Status` of the IDV Session changes to `OUT_OF_DATE` if it was previously `VALIDATED`. * In the **API-based solution**, the `Status` of the KYC Document with `Type` `IDENTITY_PROOF` changes to `OUT_OF_DATE` if it was previously `VALIDATED` or `VALIDATION_ASKED`. #### Legal user If the following information is changed regarding the declared individual representing the legal entity: * `LegalRepresentative.FirstName` * `LegalRepresentative.LastName` * `LegalRepresentative.Birthday` * `LegalRepresentative.Nationality` Then: * In the **hosted solution:** * The `Status` of the IDV Session changes to `OUT_OF_DATE` if it was previously `VALIDATED`. * In the **API-based solution**, the KYC Document `Status` values change depending on the `Type`: * The `IDENTITY_PROOF` status changes to `OUT_OF_DATE` if it was previously `VALIDATED` or `VALIDATION_ASKED`. * The `REGISTRATION_PROOF`, `ARTICLES_OF_ASSOCIATION`, and `SHAREHOLDER_DECLARATION` (as applicable) status changes to `OUT_OF_DATE` if it was previously `VALIDATED`. In the case of a legal user, all of the documents are concerned by the downgrade mechanism because they are all associated with the identity of the declared legal representative. ### 2. Change of legal entity type #### Legal user If the following information is changed: * `LegalPersonType` Then: * In the **hosted solution:** * The `Status` of the IDV Session changes to `OUT_OF_DATE` if it was previously `VALIDATED`. * In the **API-based solution:** * The `REGISTRATION_PROOF` document (only) changes to `OUT_OF_DATE` if it was previously `VALIDATED`. This downgrade mechanism applies regardless of the initial and final values of `LegalPersonType`. > **Note** > > **Note - UBO Declaration not affected by downgrade** > > The information about beneficial owners provided via the [UBO Declaration](/api-reference/ubo-declarations/ubo-declaration-object) endpoint is not affected by the downgrade. However, the documents against which this information is verified - that is, the articles of association or the Shareholder Declaration signed by the legal representative - can be downgraded. ## Notifications Your platform should set up [webhook notifications](/webhooks#) for the following [event types](/webhooks/event-types#user-kyc-status) to be notified when a downgrade occurs. * For Natural and Legal Users, the `USER_KYC_LIGHT` event indicates that their `KYCLevel` changed from `REGULAR` to `LIGHT`, meaning that they have lost their KYC/KYB verified status. * For the **hosted solution**, the `IDENTITY_VERIFICATION_OUTDATED` event indicates that the session’s `Status` changed to `OUT_OF_DATE`. * For the **API-based solution**, the `KYC_OUTDATED` event indicates that the document’s `Status` changed to `OUT_OF_DATE`. ## Related articles #### [Guide](/guides/users/verification/requirements) See the verification requirements for each user type #### [How to](/guides/users/verification/hosted) Learn more about Mangopay's hosted KYC/KYB verification solution #### [How to](/guides/users/verification/documents/submission/how-to) Learn how to submit a KYC Document