> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.parcha.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# PEP Screening Check (Individual)

> Screen individuals for Politically Exposed Person (PEP) status

The PEP Screening check identifies whether an individual is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) or is associated with PEPs. PEPs are individuals who hold or have held prominent public positions and may present higher risk for corruption or bribery.

## Overview

The check examines:

* Current and former government officials
* Senior political party members
* High-ranking military officers
* Senior executives of state-owned enterprises
* Important judicial or regulatory figures
* Close associates and family members of PEPs (RCAs)

## What is a PEP?

According to FATF recommendations, a Politically Exposed Person is an individual who is or has been entrusted with a prominent public function. This includes:

* **Domestic PEPs**: Prominent public functions in your own country
* **Foreign PEPs**: Prominent public functions in a foreign country
* **International Organization PEPs**: Senior positions in international organizations
* **Relatives and Close Associates (RCAs)**: Family members or known close associates of PEPs

## Running the Check

### API Endpoint

```bash theme={null}
POST https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/startKYCAgentJob
```

<Warning>
  **Important**: You must use your own agent key, not a default or public agent key. Your agent key can be found in the Parcha dashboard under your agent's settings, or in the "Test API Integration" dialog.
</Warning>

### Request Parameters

<ParamField body="agent_key" type="string" required>
  Your KYC agent key from the Parcha dashboard. This is unique to your organization and agent configuration.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="kyc_schema" type="object" required>
  The individual information for screening using the [KYC Schema](/schemas/individual-schema).

  <Expandable title="KYC Schema Properties">
    <ParamField body="id" type="string" required>
      A unique identifier for this KYC case.
    </ParamField>

    <ParamField body="self_attested_data" type="object" required>
      <ParamField body="first_name" type="string" required>
        Individual's first name.
      </ParamField>

      <ParamField body="last_name" type="string" required>
        Individual's last name.
      </ParamField>

      <ParamField body="middle_name" type="string">
        Individual's middle name.
      </ParamField>

      <ParamField body="date_of_birth" type="string">
        Date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD format).
      </ParamField>

      <ParamField body="country_of_nationality" type="string">
        Country of nationality (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2).
      </ParamField>

      <ParamField body="country_of_residence" type="string">
        Country of residence (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2).
      </ParamField>

      <ParamField body="address" type="object">
        Residential address information.
      </ParamField>
    </ParamField>
  </Expandable>
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="check_ids" type="array">
  Optional. To run only this specific check, include `["kyc.pep_screening_check_v2"]`. If omitted, all checks configured in your agent will run.
</ParamField>

### Example Request

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/startKYCAgentJob' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "agent_key": "your-kyc-agent-key",
    "kyc_schema": {
      "id": "pep-check-001",
      "self_attested_data": {
        "first_name": "John",
        "last_name": "Smith",
        "middle_name": "Robert",
        "date_of_birth": "1975-06-15",
        "country_of_nationality": "US",
        "country_of_residence": "US",
        "address": {
          "city": "Washington",
          "state": "DC",
          "country_code": "US"
        }
      }
    },
    "check_ids": ["kyc.pep_screening_check_v2"]
  }'
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import requests

  api_key = 'YOUR_API_KEY'
  url = 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/startKYCAgentJob'

  headers = {
      'Authorization': f'Bearer {api_key}',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  }

  data = {
      'agent_key': 'your-kyc-agent-key',  # Replace with your actual agent key
      'kyc_schema': {
          'id': 'pep-check-001',
          'self_attested_data': {
              'first_name': 'John',
              'last_name': 'Smith',
              'middle_name': 'Robert',
              'date_of_birth': '1975-06-15',
              'country_of_nationality': 'US',
              'country_of_residence': 'US',
              'address': {
                  'city': 'Washington',
                  'state': 'DC',
                  'country_code': 'US'
              }
          }
      },
      'check_ids': ['kyc.pep_screening_check_v2']  # Optional: run only this check
  }

  response = requests.post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
  print(response.json())
  ```

  ```typescript TypeScript theme={null}
  import axios from 'axios';

  const apiKey = 'YOUR_API_KEY';
  const url = 'https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/startKYCAgentJob';

  const data = {
    agent_key: 'your-kyc-agent-key',  // Replace with your actual agent key
    kyc_schema: {
      id: 'pep-check-001',
      self_attested_data: {
        first_name: 'John',
        last_name: 'Smith',
        middle_name: 'Robert',
        date_of_birth: '1975-06-15',
        country_of_nationality: 'US',
        country_of_residence: 'US',
        address: {
          city: 'Washington',
          state: 'DC',
          country_code: 'US'
        }
      }
    },
    check_ids: ['kyc.pep_screening_check_v2']  // Optional: run only this check
  };

  axios.post(url, data, {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    }
  })
  .then(response => console.log(response.data))
  .catch(error => console.error('Error:', error));
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Initial Response

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": "job-abc123",
  "status": "PENDING",
  "created_at": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z",
  "updated_at": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z",
  "agent_id": "your-agent-key",
  "input_payload": {
    // Original request payload
  }
}
```

## Retrieving Check Results

Once the job is complete, retrieve the results using the job ID with the `getJobByID` endpoint. Make sure to include the `include_check_results=true` parameter to get the full check results.

```bash theme={null}
GET https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/getJobByID?job_id=job-abc123&include_check_results=true
```

## Check Process

The PEP screening check follows these steps:

1. **Database Search**
   * Searches PEP databases from multiple vendors
   * Queries government watchlists
   * Checks historical PEP records
   * Includes RCA (Relatives and Close Associates) matching

2. **Match Analysis**
   * Evaluates name similarity
   * Compares date of birth (if available)
   * Analyzes location data
   * Reviews position and role information

3. **Classification**
   * Identifies PEP type (domestic, foreign, international org)
   * Determines current vs. former PEP status
   * Identifies RCA relationships
   * Assesses PEP tier (senior, mid-level, etc.)

4. **Risk Assessment**
   * Evaluates match confidence (strong, partial, weak)
   * Determines required action (deny, review, approve)
   * Considers jurisdiction risk
   * Factors in position sensitivity

## Check Results

### Response Structure

```typescript theme={null}
{
  type: "PEPScreeningCheckResult";
  passed: boolean;
  matches: Array<PEPMatch>;
  total_matches: number;
  screening_date: string;
}

type PEPMatch = {
  name: string;
  match_rating: "strong_match" | "partial_match" | "weak_match" | "false_positive";
  match_score: number;
  pep_type: "domestic_pep" | "foreign_pep" | "international_org_pep" | "rca";
  pep_status: "current" | "former";
  position: string;
  date_of_birth?: string;
  country: string;
  organization?: string;
  start_date?: string;
  end_date?: string;
  pep_tier?: string;
  relationship_type?: string;
  related_pep?: string;
  source: string;
  last_updated?: string;
}
```

### Example Results

<CodeGroup>
  ```json Low Risk - No PEP Matches theme={null}
  {
    "type": "PEPScreeningCheckResult",
    "passed": true,
    "matches": [],
    "total_matches": 0,
    "screening_date": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z"
  }
  ```

  ```json Medium Risk - Former PEP theme={null}
  {
    "type": "PEPScreeningCheckResult",
    "passed": true,
    "matches": [
      {
        "name": "John Robert Smith",
        "match_rating": "partial_match",
        "match_score": 82,
        "pep_type": "domestic_pep",
        "pep_status": "former",
        "position": "State Senator",
        "date_of_birth": "1975-06-15",
        "country": "United States",
        "organization": "US State Legislature",
        "start_date": "2010-01-01",
        "end_date": "2018-12-31",
        "pep_tier": "tier_2",
        "source": "ComplyAdvantage"
      }
    ],
    "total_matches": 1,
    "screening_date": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z"
  }
  ```

  ```json High Risk - Current Senior PEP theme={null}
  {
    "type": "PEPScreeningCheckResult",
    "passed": false,
    "matches": [
      {
        "name": "John Robert Smith",
        "match_rating": "strong_match",
        "match_score": 95,
        "pep_type": "foreign_pep",
        "pep_status": "current",
        "position": "Minister of Finance",
        "date_of_birth": "1975-06-15",
        "country": "United Kingdom",
        "organization": "UK Government",
        "start_date": "2022-01-15",
        "pep_tier": "tier_1",
        "source": "ComplyAdvantage",
        "last_updated": "2024-02-01"
      }
    ],
    "total_matches": 1,
    "screening_date": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z"
  }
  ```

  ```json High Risk - RCA (Relative/Close Associate) theme={null}
  {
    "type": "PEPScreeningCheckResult",
    "passed": false,
    "matches": [
      {
        "name": "John Robert Smith",
        "match_rating": "strong_match",
        "match_score": 90,
        "pep_type": "rca",
        "pep_status": "current",
        "position": "Close Associate",
        "date_of_birth": "1975-06-15",
        "country": "United States",
        "relationship_type": "business_associate",
        "related_pep": "Jane Mary Doe - Secretary of State",
        "source": "ComplyAdvantage",
        "last_updated": "2024-01-20"
      }
    ],
    "total_matches": 1,
    "screening_date": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z"
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## PEP Categories

### Tier 1 - Senior PEPs (Highest Risk)

* Heads of state or government
* Senior politicians and government officials
* Senior judicial or military officials
* Senior executives of state-owned enterprises
* Important political party officials

### Tier 2 - Mid-Level PEPs (Medium Risk)

* Mid-ranking government officials
* State or provincial politicians
* Mid-level judicial or military officials
* Local government executives

### Tier 3 - Lower-Level PEPs (Lower Risk)

* Local officials
* Lower judicial positions
* Military officers below senior ranks

### RCAs - Relatives and Close Associates

* Immediate family members (spouse, children, parents)
* Known close associates
* Business partners of PEPs

## Risk Factors

The check may flag concerns if:

* Current senior PEP (Tier 1) in high-risk jurisdiction
* Current foreign PEP requiring enhanced due diligence
* Close associate or family member of senior PEP
* Former PEP from high-corruption country (less than 5 years)
* Multiple PEP matches suggesting possible identity confusion
* PEP from sanctioned country or regime

## Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

PEP matches typically require:

1. **Source of Wealth Verification**: Document legitimate income sources
2. **Source of Funds**: Verify transaction fund origins
3. **Purpose of Relationship**: Understand business relationship purpose
4. **Ongoing Monitoring**: Enhanced transaction monitoring
5. **Senior Management Approval**: Elevated approval for onboarding

## Best Practices

1. **Risk-Based Approach**: Not all PEPs are high-risk (consider jurisdiction, position, tenure)
2. **Former PEPs**: Apply EDD for 3-5 years after leaving office
3. **RCA Verification**: Investigate RCA relationships carefully
4. **Update Regularly**: PEP status can change; rescreen periodically
5. **Document Decisions**: Keep clear records of PEP screening and risk assessments
6. **Combined Screening**: Use with sanctions and adverse media checks

## Configuration Options

* **vendor**: Choose PEP database provider (ComplyAdvantage, Dow Jones, World-Check)
* **profile\_limit**: Maximum PEP profiles to return
* **match\_thresholds**: Customize match rating thresholds
* **deny\_match\_ratings**: Auto-deny on strong matches
* **review\_match\_ratings**: Flag for manual review
* **extract\_pep\_metadata**: Extract detailed PEP information

## Related Checks

* [Sanctions Screening (Individual)](/checks/kyc-sanctions-screening-check) - Screen for sanctions
* [Adverse Media Screening (Individual)](/checks/kyc-adverse-media-screening) - Screen for negative news
* [Person Web Presence Check](/checks/kyc-person-web-presence-check) - Research online presence
* [Source of Funds Document Verification](/checks/source-of-funds-document-verification) - Verify fund sources