> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.caf.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.caf.io/caf-api/smart-auth-api/available-resources/identity.md).

# Create identity

The identity creation process is necessary to enable authentication for a given user. Subsequent authentication attempts for this user will be compared against this created identity, based on the personId, while storing the user's context data. A clear selfie is required, used for facial validation.

Email and phone are optional for the API, but required if you intend to allow OTPs as a means of re-authenticating this user. In this case, in addition to enabling email or SMS in the authentication policy, users must have an email and phone number registered.

{% hint style="warning" %}
All calls to the API are authenticated and must have the token next to `Bearer` prefix in the `Authorization` header of the request. Calls with a missing or invalid access token will return status code **401** ("Unauthorized").
{% endhint %}

The token used to make requests to the API is the **access token** [generated according to these instructions.](/caf-api/smart-auth-api/authentication.md).

{% openapi src="/files/NJIVu1wueLBrpL5UQ6xu" path="/identities" method="post" %}
[create-identity.yaml](https://3218940882-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbVxCOSyBojfSIE5fcpfH%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1b7f76d1a0840ca62338f5d99a69ead811ad1958%2Fcreate-identity.yaml?alt=media)
{% endopenapi %}


---

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