Methods and systems for establishing an electronic account for a customer

• US 20020059430A1
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Tremaine, Samuel R., Orbke, Wayne H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 : by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols

Abstract

Registration information is sent form a customer to a registration system over a network. The registration system creates an electronic account for the customer and facilitates the validation of the customer'"'"'s identity. When the customer'"'"'s identity is validated, the registration system activates the electronic account. The electronic account includes a unique electronic account number, a physical address of the customer, and an electronic address of the customer.

Claims

1. A method for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

receiving the registration information at the registration system over the network;

transmitting an identification verification form from the registration system to the user requesting identification verification information;

validating the identification verification form and the identification verification information at a registration office;

transmitting validated identification verification information from the registration office to the registration system; and

establishing the electronic account for the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification verification form is a United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity validation form contains a time limit for validation.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains a listing of a United States Post Office.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains an electronic address for the electronic account.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains a list of identity validation documents.

7. The method of claims 6, wherein the list of identity validation documents contains at least one of a birth certificate, a driver'"'"'s license, a passport, and a utility bill.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains a bar code.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains the physical address of the user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the registration office is a United States Post Office.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

transmitting a request for an electronic certificate from the user to the registration system over the network.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

receiving the request for an electronic certificate at the registration system over the network; and

transmitting the electronic certificate from the registration system to the user over the network.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the identification verification form contains a listing of the United States Post Office that is closest geographically to the physical address of the user.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the validating step further includes the substep of:

physically identifying the user by examining at least one identification document of the user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the identification verification form lists the at least one identification document.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

requesting, by the registration system, an electronic certificate for the electronic account from a certificate authority;

receiving the electronic certificate by the registration system; and

linking the electronic certificate to the electronic account.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

storing the user information and the unique electronic account number in a database.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the address database is a United States Postal Service address database.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the unique electronic account number comprises a plurality of digits.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the unique electronic account number comprises ten digits.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the unique electronic account number comprises alphanumeric characters and a check digit.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the ten digits include alphanumeric characters.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the ten digits include nine alphanumeric characters and a check digit.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the registration information is received in response to a plurality of HTML documents transmitted from the network server to the user.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes an overview of the electronic account.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes registration procedures.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes a privacy statement.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes a security policy.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests the user'"'"'s name, date of birth, and telephone number.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests a preferred e-mail address.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests a preferred password.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents offers as election of available e-mail addresses.

37. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests the user'"'"'s residential address.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests identity validation information including a photo ID and a secondary ID.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents displays the registration information for the user to review.

40. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes a private key generation process.

41. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests the user to choose a communication password to protect the private key.

42. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents enables the user to activate the electronic account by entering an e-mail address and a password.

43. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of HTML documents enables the user to obtain an electronic certificate for the electronic account.

72. The system of claim 7, wherein the identification verification form lists the at least one identification document.

14. A method for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

receiving the registration information at the registration system over the network;

transmitting a confirmation letter containing an identification verification form from the registration system to the user;

validating the user at a registration office by physically identifying the user;

transmitting validated identification verification information from the registration office to the registration system using the identification verification form; and

establishing the electronic account for the user.

17. A method for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

receiving the registration information at the registration system over the network;

storing the registration information in a database;

retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

generating, by a verification form generator, an identification verification form using the physical address and the registration information;

sending the identification verification form to the user at the physical address;

notifying a confirmation host, by the verification form generator, when the identification verification form has been sent;

validating the identification verification form by the user at a registration office;

transmitting validated identification verification information from the registration office to the confirmation host; and

retrieving the validated identification verification information at the registration system from the confirmation host to establish the electronic account for the user.

19. A method for initiating an electronic account over a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving user information from a user via the network to initiate the electronic account;

generating a unique electronic account number corresponding to the user information;

establishing the electronic account using the unique electronic account number;

retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database based on the user information, the physical address corresponding to the location where the user receives physical mail; and

linking the physical address to the electronic account using the unique electronic account number.

27. A method for initiating an electronic account over a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a network server, registration information from a user;

transmitting the registration information from the network server to a database server;

storing the registration information in a database by the database server;

retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

generating, by an application server, a unique electronic account number corresponding to the registration information;

linking, by the application server, the physical address to the electronic account using the unique electronic account number.

44. A method for creating an electronic account for a user, comprising the steps of:

receiving registration information from the user;

generating a unique electronic account number corresponding to the registration information;

processing the registration information in a physical address matching engine to determine a physical address of the user;

sending a request to a certificate authority for an electronic certificate for the electronic account;

receiving the electronic certificate; and

creating the electronic account with the registration information, physical address, unique electronic account number, and electronic certificate.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the unique electronic account number is generated by United States Postal Service account number generator software.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the physical address matching engine is a United States Postal Service address matching engine.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the certificate authority is a United States Postal Service Certificate Authority.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the activating step further comprises the substeps of:

obtaining an electronic certificate for the electronic account based on the user information; and

sending the electronic certificate to the user via the network.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the retrieving step further comprises the substep of:

sending a query containing the user information to the address database;

receiving an address key corresponding to the physical address of the user in the address database, the physical address containing standardized address information; and

using the address key to obtain updated physical address data from the address database.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the database is a United States Postal Service registration database.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the address database is a United States Postal Service address database.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein the retrieving step is performed using United States Postal Service Address Matching Engine DP/+4 System Software.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein the obtaining step occurs via a United States Postal Service Digital Certificate Authority.

55. The method of claim 48, wherein the receiving step further includes the substep of:

receiving the validation confirmation from the user.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein the receiving step further includes the substep of:

receiving the validation confirmation from a identity validation clerk.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the identification verification form is a United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains a time limit for validation.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains a listing of a United States Post Office.

61. The system of claim 58, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains an electronic address for the electronic account.

62. The system of claim 58, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains a list of identity validation documents.

63. The system of claim 58, wherein the list of identity validation documents contains at least one of a birth certificate, a driver'"'"'s license, a passport, and a utility bill.

64. The system of claim 58, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains a bar code.

65. The system of claim 58, wherein the United States Postal Service Identity Validation Form contains th e physical address of the user.

66. The system of claim 57, wherein the registration office is a United States Post Office.

67. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a request transmitting component configured to transmit a request for an electronic certificate from the user to the registration system over the network.

68. The system of claim 67, further comprising:

a request receiving component configured to receive the request for an electronic certificate at the registration system over the network; and

a certificate transmitting component configured to transmit the electronic certificate from the registration system to the user over the network.

69. The system of claim 65, wherein the identification verification form contains a listing of the United States Post Office that is closest geographically to the physical address of the user.

48. A method for initiating an electronic account for a user, comprising the steps of:

receiving, from a network server, user information including a request to initiate the electronic account;

creating an entry in a database, the entry including the user information;

retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database based on the user information;

sending a validation form to the user at the physical address;

receiving a validation confirmation indicating that the user has been validated using the validation form; and

activating the electronic account in response to the validation confirmation.

57. A system for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising:

a registration transmitting component configured to transmit registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

a registration receiving component configured to receive the registration information at the registration system over the network;

an identification transmitting component configured to transmit an identification verification form from the registration system to the user requesting identification verification information;

a validating component configured to validate the identification verification form and the identification verification information at a registration office;

a verification transmitting component configured to transmit validated identification verification information from the registration office to the registration system; and

an establishing component configured to establish the electronic account for the user.

70. A system for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising:

a registration transmitting component configured to transmit registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

a registration receiving component configured to receive the registration information at the registration system over the network;

a configuration transmitting component configured to transmit a confirmation letter containing an identification verification form from the registration system to the user;

a validating component configured to validate the user at a registration office by physically identifying the user;

a verification transmitting component configured to transmit validated identification verification information from the registration office to the registration system using the identification verification form; and

an establishing component configured to establish the electronic account for the user.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein the validating component further includes:

a physically identifying component configured to physically identify the user by examining at least one identification document of the user.

73. A system for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising:

a registration transmitting component configured to transmit registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

a registration receiving component configured to receive the registration information at the registration system over the network;

a storing component configured to store the registration information in a database;

an address retrieving component configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

a generating component configured to generate an identification verification form using the physical address and the registration information;

a sending component configured to send the identification verification form to the user at the physical address;

a notifying component configured to notify a confirmation host, by the verification form generator, when the identification verification form has been sent;

a validating component configured to validate the identification verification form by the user at a registration office;

a verification transmitting component configured to transmit validated identification verification information from the registration office to the confirmation host; and

a verification retrieving component configured to retrieve the validated identification verification information at the registration system from the confirmation host to establish the electronic account for the user.

74. The system of claim 73, further comprising:

a requesting component configured to request an electronic certificate for the electronic account from a certificate authority;

a certificate receiving component configured to receive the electronic certificate by the registration system; and

a linking component configured to link the electronic certificate to the electronic account.

75. A system for initiating an electronic account over a network, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive user information from a user via the network to initiate the electronic account;

a generating component configured to generate a unique electronic account number corresponding to the user information;

an establishing component configured to establish the electronic account using the unique electronic account number;

a retrieving component configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database based on the user information, the physical address corresponding to the location where the user receives physical mail; and

a linking component configured to link the physical address to the electronic account using the unique electronic account number.

76. The system of claim 75, further comprising:

a storing component configured to store the user information and the unique electronic account number in a database.

77. The system of claim 75, wherein the address database is a United States Postal Service address database.

78. The system of claim 75, wherein the unique electronic account number comprises a plurality of digits.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the unique electronic account number comprises ten digits.

80. The system of claim 78, wherein the unique electronic account number comprises alphanumeric characters and a check digit.

81. The system of claim 78, wherein the ten digits include alphanumeric characters.

82. The system of claim 78, wherein the ten digits include nine alphanumeric characters and a check digit.

83. A system for initiating an electronic account over a network, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive registration information from a user;

a transmitting component configured to transmit the registration information from the network server to a database server;

a storing component configured to store the registration information in a database by the database server;

a retrieving component configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

a generating component configured to generate a unique electronic account number corresponding to the registration information;

a linking component configured to link the physical address to the electronic account using the unique electronic account number.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the registration information is received in response to a plurality of HTML documents transmitted from the network server to the user.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes an overview of the electronic account.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes registration procedures.

87. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes a privacy statement.

88. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes a security policy.

89. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests the user'"'"'s name, date of birth, and telephone number.

90. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests a preferred e-mail address.

91. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests a preferred password.

92. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents offers a selection of available e-mail addresses.

93. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests the user'"'"'s residential address.

94. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests identity validation information including a photo ID and a secondary ID.

95. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents displays the registration information for the user to review.

96. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents includes a private key generation process.

97. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents requests the user to choose a communication password to protect the private key.

98. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents enables the user to activate the electronic account by entering an e-mail address and a password.

99. The system of claim 84, wherein the plurality of HTML documents enables the user to obtain an electronic certificate for the electronic account.

100. A system for creating an electronic account for a user, comprising:

a registration receiving component configured to receive registration information from the user;

a generating component configured to generate a unique electronic account number corresponding to the registration information;

a processing component configured to process the registration information in a physical address matching engine to determine a physical address of the user;

a sending component configured to send a request to a certificate authority for an electronic certificate for the electronic account;

a certificate receiving component configured to receive the electronic certificate; and

a creating component configured to create the electronic account with the registration information, physical address, unique electronic account number, and electronic certificate.

101. The system of claim 100, wherein the unique electronic account number is generated by United States Postal Service account number generator software.

102. The system of claim 100, wherein the physical address matching engine is a United States Postal Service address matching engine.

103. The system of claim 100, wherein the certificate authority is a United States Postal Service Certificate Authority.

104. A system for initiating an electronic account for a user, comprising:

a request receiving component configured to receive from a network server, user information including a request to initiate the electronic account;

a creating component configured to create an entry in a database, the entry including the user information;

a retrieving component configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database based on the user information;

a form sending component configured to send a validation form to the user at the physical address;

a confirmation receiving component configured to receive a validation confirmation indicating that the user has been validated using the validation form; and

an activating component configured to activate the electronic account in response to the validation confirmation.

105. The system of claim 104, wherein the activating component further comprises:

an obtaining component configured to obtain an electronic certificate for the electronic account based on the user information; and

a certificate sending component configured to send the electronic certificate to the user via the network.

106. The method of claim 104, wherein the retrieving component further comprises:

a query sending component configured to send a query containing the user information to the address database;

a key receiving component configured to receive an address key corresponding to the physical address of the user in the address database, the physical address containing standardized address information; and

a using component configured to use the address key to obtain updated physical address data from the address database.

107. The system of claim 104, wherein the database is a United States Postal Service registration database.

108. The system of claim 104, wherein the address database is a United States Postal Service address database.

109. The system of claim 104, wherein the retrieving component user United States Postal Service Address Matching Engine DP/+4 System Software.

110. The system of claim 105, wherein the obtaining component occurs via a United States Postal Service Digital Certificate Authority.

111. The system of claim 104, wherein the confirmation receiving component further includes:

a user receiving component configured to receive the validation confirmation from the user.

112. The method of claim 104, wherein the confirmation receiving component further includes:

a clerk receiving component configured to receive the validation confirmation from a identity validation clerk.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the linking step further includes the step of:

downloading the electronic certificate to a computer of the user.

129. The method of claim 127, wherein the linking step further includes the step of:

downloading the electronic certificate to a Smart Card.

130. The method of claim 127, wherein the linking step further includes the step of:

downloading the electronic certificate to a certificate holding device.

132. The system of claim 131, wherein the linking component further includes:

a browser downloading component configured to download the electronic certificate to a computer of the user.

133. The system of claim 131, wherein the linking component further includes:

a Smart Card downloading component configured to download the electronic certificate to a Smart Card.

134. The system of claim 131, wherein the linking component further includes:

a device downloading component configured to download the electronic certificate to a certificate holding device.

113. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for registering an electronic account over a network, the computer readable code comprising:

a registration transmitting module configured to transmit registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

a registration receiving module configured to receive the registration information at the registration system over the network;

a form transmitting module configured to transmit an identification verification form from the registration system to the user requesting identification verification information;

a validating module configured to validate the identification verification form and the identification verification information at a registration office;

a verification transmitting module configured to transmit validated identification verification information from the registration office to the registration system; and

an establishing module configured to establish the electronic account for the user.

114. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for registering an electronic account over a network, the computer readable code comprising:

a registration transmitting module configured to transmit registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

a registration receiving module configured to receive the registration information at the registration system over the network;

a letter transmitting module configured to transmit a confirmation letter containing an identification verification form from the registration system to the user;

a validating module configured to validate the user at a registration office by physically identifying the user;

a verification transmitting module configured to transmit validated identification verification information from the registration office to the registration system using the identification verification form; and

an establishing module configured to establish the electronic account for the user.

115. A computer readable medium with computer readable code embodied therein for registering an electronic account over a network, the computer readable code comprising:

a registration transmitting module configured to transmit registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

a registration receiving module configured to receive the registration information at the registration system over the network;

a storing module configured to store the registration information in a

an address retrieving module configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

a generating module configured to generate an identification verification form using the physical address and the registration information;

a sending module configured to send the identification verification form to the user at the physical address;

a notifying module configured to notify a confirmation host, by the verification form generator, when the identification verification form has been sent;

a validating module configured to validate the identification verification form by the user at a registration office;

a verification transmitting module configured to transmit validated identification verification information from the registration office to the confirmation host; and

a verification retrieving module configured to retrieve the validated identification verification information at the registration system from the confirmation host to establish the electronic account for the user.

116. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, for initiating an electronic account over a network, the computer readable code comprising:

an information receiving module configured to receive user information from a user via the network to initiate the electronic account;

a generating module configured to generate a unique electronic account number corresponding to the user information;

an establishing module configured to establish the electronic account using the unique electronic account number;

a retrieving module configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database based on the user information, the physical address corresponding to the location where the user receives physical mail; and

a linking module configured to link the physical address to the electronic account using the unique electronic account number.

117. A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, for initiating an electronic account over a network, the computer readable code comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive registration information from a user;

a transmitting module configured to transmit the registration information from the network server to a database server;

a storing module configured to store the registration information in a database by the database server;

a retrieving module configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

a generating module configured to generate by an application server, a unique electronic account number corresponding to the registration information;

a linking module configured to link the physical address to the electronic account using the unique electronic account number.

118. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for creating an electronic account for a user, the computer readable code comprising:

a registration receiving module configured to receive registration information from the user;

a generating module configured to generate a unique electronic account number corresponding to the registration information;

a processing module configured to process the registration information in a physical address matching engine to determine a physical address of the user;

a sending module configured to send a request to a certificate authority for an electronic certificate for the electronic account;

a certificate receiving module configured to receive the electronic certificate; and

a creating module configured to create the electronic account with the registration information, physical address, unique electronic account number, and electronic certificate.

119. A computer readable medium with computer readable code embodied therein for initiating an electronic account for a user, the computer readable code comprising:

an information receiving module configured to receive user information including a request to initiate the electronic account;

a creating module configured to create an entry in a database, the entry including the user information;

a retrieving module configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database based on the user information;

a sending module configured to send a validation form to the user at the physical address;

a validation receiving module configured to receive a validation confirmation indicating that the user has been validated using the validation form; and

an activating module configured to activate the electronic account in response to the validation confirmation.

120. A system for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising:

means for transmitting registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

means for receiving the registration information at the registration system over the network;

means for transmitting an identification verification form from the registration system to the user requesting identification verification information;

means for validating the identification verification form and the identification verification information at a registration office;

means for transmitting validated identification verification information from the registration office to the registration system; and

means for establishing the electronic account for the user.

121. A system for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising:

means for transmitting registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

means for receiving the registration information at the registration system over the network;

means for transmitting a confirmation letter containing an identification verification form from the registration system to the user;

means for validating the user at a registration office by physically identifying the user;

means for transmitting validated identification verification information from the registration office to the registration system using the identification verification form; and

means for establishing the electronic account for the user.

122. A system for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising:

means for transmitting registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

means for receiving the registration information at the registration system over the network;

means for storing the registration information in a database;

means for retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

means for generating, by a verification form generator, an identification verification form using the physical address and the registration information;

means for sending the identification verification form to the user at the physical address;

means for notifying a confirmation host, by the verification form generator, when the identification verification form has been sent;

means for validating the identification verification form by the user at a registration office;

means for transmitting validated identification verification information from the registration office to the confirmation host; and

means for retrieving the validated identification verification information at the registration system from the confirmation host to establish the electronic account for the user.

123. A system for initiating an electronic account over a network, comprising:

means for receiving user information from a user via the network to initiate the electronic account;

means for generating a unique electronic account number corresponding to the user information;

means for establishing the electronic account using the unique electronic account number;

means for retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database based on the user information, the physical address corresponding to the location where the user receives physical mail; and

means for linking the physical address to the electronic account using the unique electronic account number.

124. A system for initiating an electronic account over a network, comprising:

means for receiving, at a network server, registration information from a user;

means for transmitting the registration information from the network server to a database server;

means for storing the registration information in a database by the database server;

means for retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

means for generating, by an application server, a unique electronic account number corresponding to the registration information;

means for linking, by the application server, the physical address to the electronic account using the unique electronic account number.

125. A system for creating an electronic account for a user, comprising:

means for receiving registration information from the user;

means for generating a unique electronic account number corresponding to the registration information;

means for processing the registration information in a physical address matching engine to determine a physical address of the user;

means for sending a request to a certificate authority for an electronic certificate for the electronic account;

means for receiving the electronic certificate; and

means for creating the electronic account with the registration information, physical address, unique electronic account number, and electronic certificate.

126. A system for initiating an electronic account for a user, comprising:

means for receiving, from a network server, user information including a request to initiate the electronic account;

means for creating an entry in a database, the entry including the user information;

means for retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database based on the user information;

means for sending a validation form to the user at the physical address;

means for receiving a validation confirmation indicating that the user has been validated using the validation form; and

means for activating the electronic account in response to the validation confirmation.

127. A method for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

receiving the registration information at the registration system over the network;

storing the registration information in a database;

retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

generating, by a verification form generator, an identification verification form using the physical address and the registration information;

sending the identification verification form to the user at the physical address;

notifying a confirmation host, by the verification form generator, when the identification verification form has been sent;

validating the identification verification form by the user at a registration office;

transmitting validated identification verification information from the registration office to the confirmation host;

retrieving the validated identification verification information at the registration system from the confirmation host to establish the electronic account for the user;

requesting, by the registration system, an electronic certificate for the electronic account from a certificate authority;

receiving the electronic certificate by the registration system; and

linking the electronic certificate to the electronic account.

131. A system for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising:

a registration information transmitting component configured to transmit registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

a registration receiving component configured to receive the registration information at the registration system over the network;

a storing component configured to store the registration information in a database;

a physical address retrieving component configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

a generating component configured to generate an identification verification form using the physical address and the registration information;

a verification sending component configured to send the identification verification form to the user at the physical address;

a notifying component configured to notify a confirmation host when the identification verification form has been sent;

a validating component configured to validate the identification verification form by the user at a registration office;

a verification transmitting component configured to transmit validated identification verification information from the registration office to the confirmation host;

a retrieving component configured to retrieve the validated identification verification information at the registration system from the confirmation host to establish the electronic account for the user;

a requesting component configured to request an electronic certificate for the electronic account from a certificate authority;

a certificate receiving component configured to receive the electronic certificate by the registration system; and

a linking component configured to link the electronic certificate to the electronic account.

135. A system for registering an electronic account over a network, comprising:

means for transmitting registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

means for receiving the registration information at the registration system over the network;

means for storing the registration information in a database;

means for retrieving a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

means for generating an identification verification form using the physical address and the registration information;

means for sending the identification verification form to the user at the physical address;

means for notifying a confirmation host when the identification verification form has been sent;

means for validating the identification verification form by the user at a registration office;

means for transmitting validated identification verification information from the registration office to the confirmation host;

means for retrieving the validated identification verification information at the registration system from the confirmation host to establish the electronic account for the user;

means for requesting an electronic certificate for the electronic account from a certificate authority;

means for receiving the electronic certificate by the registration system; and

means for linking the electronic certificate to the electronic account.

136. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for registering an electronic account over a network, the computer readable code comprising:

a registration information transmitting module configured to transmit registration information from a user to a registration system over the network;

a registration receiving module configured to receive the registration information at the registration system over the network;

a storing module configured to store the registration information in a database;

a physical address retrieving module configured to retrieve a physical address of the user from an address database using the registration information;

a generating module configured to generate an identification verification form using the physical address and the registration information;

a verification sending module configured to send the identification verification form to the user at the physical address;

a notifying module configured to notify a confirmation host when the identification verification form has been sent;

a validating module configured to validate the identification verification form by the user at a registration office;

a verification transmitting module configured to transmit validated identification verification information from the registration office to the confirmation host;

a retrieving module configured to retrieve the validated identification verification information at the registration system from the confirmation host to establish the electronic account for the user;

a requesting module configured to request an electronic certificate for the electronic account from a certificate authority;

a certificate receiving module configured to receive the electronic certificate by the registration system; and

a linking module configured to link the electronic certificate to the electronic account.