Sanctions Screening Check (Individual) - Parcha API Documentation

The Individual Sanctions Screening check verifies whether an individual appears on government sanctions lists, terrorist watchlists, or other regulatory enforcement databases. This is a mandatory compliance check for AML/CFT programs.

Overview

The check examines:

OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) SDN list
UN Security Council sanctions
EU sanctions lists
UK HM Treasury sanctions
Interpol Red Notices
FBI Most Wanted lists
Country-specific terrorist lists

Running the Check

API Endpoint

POST https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/startKYCAgentJob

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.

Request Parameters

agent_key

string

required

Your KYC agent key from the Parcha dashboard. This is unique to your organization and agent configuration.

kyc_schema

object

required

The individual information for screening using the KYC Schema.

Show KYC Schema Properties

string

required

A unique identifier for this KYC case.

self_attested_data

object

required

first_name

string

required

Individual’s first name.

last_name

string

required

Individual’s last name.

middle_name

string

Individual’s middle name.

date_of_birth

string

Date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD format).

country_of_nationality

string

Country of nationality (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2).

country_of_residence

string

Country of residence (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2).

address

object

Residential address information for additional matching.

check_ids

array

Optional. To run only this specific check, include ["kyc.sanctions_screening_check_v2"]. If omitted, all checks configured in your agent will run.

Example Request

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": "sanctions-check-001",
    "self_attested_data": {
      "first_name": "John",
      "last_name": "Doe",
      "middle_name": "Michael",
      "date_of_birth": "1980-03-15",
      "country_of_nationality": "US",
      "country_of_residence": "US",
      "address": {
        "city": "New York",
        "state": "NY",
        "country_code": "US"
      }
    }
  },
  "check_ids": ["kyc.sanctions_screening_check_v2"]
}'

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': 'sanctions-check-001',
        'self_attested_data': {
            'first_name': 'John',
            'last_name': 'Doe',
            'middle_name': 'Michael',
            'date_of_birth': '1980-03-15',
            'country_of_nationality': 'US',
            'country_of_residence': 'US',
            'address': {
                'city': 'New York',
                'state': 'NY',
                'country_code': 'US'
            }
        }
    },
    'check_ids': ['kyc.sanctions_screening_check_v2']  # Optional: run only this check
}

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

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: 'sanctions-check-001',
    self_attested_data: {
      first_name: 'John',
      last_name: 'Doe',
      middle_name: 'Michael',
      date_of_birth: '1980-03-15',
      country_of_nationality: 'US',
      country_of_residence: 'US',
      address: {
        city: 'New York',
        state: 'NY',
        country_code: 'US'
      }
    }
  },
  check_ids: ['kyc.sanctions_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));

Initial Response

{
  "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.

GET https://api.parcha.ai/api/v1/getJobByID?job_id=job-abc123&include_check_results=true

Check Process

The sanctions screening check follows these steps:

Name Normalization
- Standardizes name for matching
- Handles name variations and transliterations
- Processes nicknames and aliases
Database Search
- Searches multiple sanctions databases
- Queries terrorist watchlists
- Checks law enforcement databases
- Searches PEP-related sanctions
Match Analysis
- Evaluates match quality (strong, partial, weak)
- Compares date of birth if available
- Analyzes location and nationality data
- Reviews additional identifiers
Risk Assessment
- Categorizes sanctions program severity
- Evaluates geographic risk factors
- Determines action required (deny, review, approve)

Check Results

Response Structure

{
  type: "SanctionsScreeningCheckResult";
  passed: boolean;
  matches: Array<SanctionsMatch>;
  total_matches: number;
  screening_date: string;
  databases_searched: Array<string>;
}

type SanctionsMatch = {
  name: string;
  match_rating: "strong_match" | "partial_match" | "weak_match" | "false_positive";
  match_score: number;
  list_type: "sanctions" | "terrorism" | "law_enforcement" | "other";
  list_name: string;
  date_of_birth?: string;
  place_of_birth?: string;
  nationality?: Array<string>;
  program?: string;
  listed_date?: string;
  addresses?: Array<string>;
  aliases?: Array<string>;
  identifiers?: {
    passport_numbers?: Array<string>;
    national_ids?: Array<string>;
  };
  source_url?: string;
}

Example Results

{
  "type": "SanctionsScreeningCheckResult",
  "passed": true,
  "matches": [],
  "total_matches": 0,
  "screening_date": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z",
  "databases_searched": [
    "OFAC SDN",
    "UN Security Council",
    "EU Sanctions",
    "UK HM Treasury",
    "Interpol Red Notices"
  ]
}

{
  "type": "SanctionsScreeningCheckResult",
  "passed": true,
  "matches": [
    {
      "name": "John Michael Doe",
      "match_rating": "weak_match",
      "match_score": 68,
      "list_type": "sanctions",
      "list_name": "OFAC SDN List",
      "date_of_birth": "1978-05-20",
      "nationality": ["Syria"],
      "program": "SYRIA",
      "listed_date": "2019-06-12",
      "addresses": [
        "Damascus, Syria"
      ],
      "source_url": "https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/"
    }
  ],
  "total_matches": 1,
  "screening_date": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z",
  "databases_searched": [
    "OFAC SDN",
    "UN Security Council",
    "EU Sanctions"
  ]
}

{
  "type": "SanctionsScreeningCheckResult",
  "passed": false,
  "matches": [
    {
      "name": "John Michael Doe",
      "match_rating": "strong_match",
      "match_score": 96,
      "list_type": "terrorism",
      "list_name": "OFAC SDN - Terrorism",
      "date_of_birth": "1980-03-15",
      "place_of_birth": "New York, United States",
      "nationality": ["United States"],
      "program": "SDGT",
      "listed_date": "2023-08-15",
      "addresses": [
        "123 Main St, New York, NY, US"
      ],
      "aliases": [
        "J. Doe",
        "Johnny Doe"
      ],
      "identifiers": {
        "passport_numbers": ["US123456789"]
      },
      "source_url": "https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/"
    }
  ],
  "total_matches": 1,
  "screening_date": "2024-02-15T10:30:00Z",
  "databases_searched": [
    "OFAC SDN",
    "UN Security Council",
    "EU Sanctions",
    "FBI Most Wanted"
  ]
}

Sanctions Lists Covered

Primary Sanctions Lists

OFAC SDN - Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons
OFAC Non-SDN - Consolidated sanctions lists
UN Security Council - Consolidated sanctions list
EU Sanctions - EU consolidated financial sanctions
UK HM Treasury - UK financial sanctions targets

Law Enforcement & Terrorism Lists

FBI Most Wanted
Interpol Red Notices
National terrorist lists (US, UK, EU, etc.)
DEA Most Wanted

Additional Lists

Country-specific sanctions (Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.)
Financial crimes watchlists
Proliferation financing lists

Match Ratings Explained

Strong Match: High confidence the individual is sanctioned (DENY)
- Name, DOB, and location all match
- Multiple identifiers align
Partial Match: Some identifiers match, requires review
- Name and location match but DOB differs
- Similar name with matching location
Weak Match: Name similarity only, likely false positive
- Common name with different location/DOB
- Only surname matches
False Positive: Confirmed not the sanctioned individual (APPROVE)
- After investigation, clearly different person

Risk Factors

The check may flag concerns if:

Name and DOB strongly match sanctioned individual
Individual from sanctioned jurisdiction
Multiple identifiers match (passport, address, etc.)
Recent addition to sanctions or terrorism lists
Close name match with known terrorist or criminal
Location matches known sanctioned individual

Compliance Requirements

Individual sanctions screening is required for:

Customer onboarding (KYC)
Beneficial owner identification
Transaction screening
Wire transfer compliance
Ongoing monitoring (periodic rescreening)
Regulatory compliance (AML/BSA/OFAC)

Best Practices

Screen All Individuals: Screen customers, beneficial owners, signatories, and authorized persons
Use Full Name and DOB: Provide complete information for accurate matching
Investigate Matches: Review partial matches carefully before rejecting
Document Thoroughly: Keep detailed records of screening and decisions
Rescreen Regularly: Perform ongoing monitoring (monthly recommended)
Escalate Strong Matches: Immediately escalate strong matches to compliance
File SARs When Required: Report suspicious activity as mandated

Legal Obligations

US Compliance: OFAC requires immediate blocking of SDN assets and transactions. Violations can result in civil penalties up to

330,120 per violation or criminal penalties up to

1 million and 20 years imprisonment. Global Compliance: Most jurisdictions have similar requirements for sanctions compliance with severe penalties for violations.

Configuration Options

vendor: Choose screening vendor (ComplyAdvantage, Dow Jones, etc.)
match_thresholds: Customize match rating thresholds
deny_match_ratings: Auto-deny on specified match ratings (typically strong_match)
review_match_ratings: Flag for manual review (typically partial_match)
databases_to_search: Select specific sanctions lists

PEP Screening (Individual) - Screen for PEP status
Adverse Media Screening (Individual) - Screen for negative news
Person Web Presence Check - Research online presence
Sanctions Screening (Business) - Screen associated businesses

​Overview

​Running the Check

​API Endpoint

​Request Parameters

​Example Request

​Initial Response

​Retrieving Check Results

​Check Process

​Check Results

​Response Structure

​Example Results

​Sanctions Lists Covered

​Primary Sanctions Lists

​Law Enforcement & Terrorism Lists

​Additional Lists

​Match Ratings Explained

​Risk Factors

​Compliance Requirements

​Best Practices

​Legal Obligations

​Configuration Options

​Related Checks

Overview

Running the Check

API Endpoint

Request Parameters

Example Request

Initial Response

Retrieving Check Results

Check Process

Check Results

Response Structure

Example Results

Sanctions Lists Covered

Primary Sanctions Lists

Law Enforcement & Terrorism Lists

Additional Lists

Match Ratings Explained

Risk Factors

Compliance Requirements

Best Practices

Legal Obligations

Configuration Options

Related Checks