Abstract: Methods and apparatus to verify information, including a method of verifying information comprising receiving user-supplied information from a user interested in obtaining services or products wherein the user-supplied information includes a user government identification number containing decipherable information regarding the identity of the user, and additional user identifying information. A method further including analyzing the government identification number including determining the issuing jurisdiction of the government identification number, deciphering information from the government identification number, and verifying the validity of the government identification number. A method also including retrieving confirming-information from a database relevant to the user-supplied information, comparing the confirming-information to the user-supplied information to verify the accuracy of the user-supplied information, and permitting or denying access to the user for the user-desired services or goods.