Verify your identity on Coinbase

Coinbase requires identity verification for legal compliance and fraud prevention. This process may involve uploading ID photos or taking a selfie.

Your Coinbase account will have limited functionalities until the identity verification process is completed. Read more about Data Privacy at Coinbase and how Coinbase uses your information.

Before you move on

  • All ID documents must be verified through the Coinbase website or mobile app. Emailed documents will not be accepted.

  • Changing your legal name or country of residence requires uploading a valid ID with the updated information. This may require Coinbase Support assistance.

  • Enter the PIN code from the initial verification steps if signing in while verification is in progress.

  • ID verification typically takes 10 minutes to 48 hours to complete.

  • Follow the instructions in any Coinbase email advising you to update your account information.

  • If you’ve received an email from Coinbase advising you to update your account information, follow the instructions provided in the email to update your account.

Start the process

To verify your identity (Mobile app / Browser):

  1. Access the Coinbase mobile app or your Coinbase.com account and sign in.

  2. Go to our Document Verification page and follow the on-screen instructions.

    • Make sure the information on your documents matches your current account details.

    • For a selfie video, make sure your microphone is turned on while recording and follow the in-app instructions.


An email is sent to you once your verification is complete.

Accepted identity documents

Provide the related information listed for each identity document type:

  • Passport

    • Number

    • Gender

  • Medicare

    • Number (10 digits)

    • Reference (single digit listed before your name)

    • Expiration date

    • Colour

  • Driver’s licence

    • Licence number

    • State

    • Card number (may be located on the back of your card)

If you’re a Victoria or Queensland resident, a driver’s licence card number is not required.

Accepted foreign IDs

  • Foreign Driver’s License, Foreign Passport, Foreign ID Card from the supported countries below

Foreign ID documents are accepted from these countries

  • Aland, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria

  • Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Bulgaria, Brunei Darussalam

  • Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cook Islands, Croatia, Curacao, Czech Republic

  • Denmark, Dominica

  • Estonia

  • Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Lands

  • Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guernsey, Guyana

  • Heard and McDonald Islands, Hong Kong, Hungary

  • Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy

  • Japan, Jersey

  • Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Korea (South), Kuwait

  • Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg

  • Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mayotte, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat

  • Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway

  • Oman

  • Palau, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico

  • Qatar

  • Reunion, Romania, Rwanda

  • Saint Barthélemy, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland

  • Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu

  • United Kingdom, United States of America, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay

  • Vatican City, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (U.S.)

  • Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara

Taking a photo of your Identity Document

  • Use the latest version of Google Chrome browser (whether you’re on a computer or mobile device)

  • Your phone’s camera typically produces the clearest photo

  • Make sure your area is well-lit (natural light works best)

  • Use indirect light for your ID to avoid glare

  • If you must use a webcam, try setting the ID flat down and move the webcam instead of moving the ID

  • Use a plain background for the ID

  • Don’t hold the ID in your fingers (confuses the focusing lens)

  • Clear your browser cache, restart the browser, and try again

  • Wait 30 minutes between attempts

Taking a selfie (photo of your face)

This may be required for account recovery if you lose your 2-step verification device or additional security is required for an action you are trying to perform.

  • Use the latest version of Google Chrome browser

  • Face the camera directly and include your shoulders to the top of your head

  • Have a plain wall as a background

  • Use indirect light for your ID to avoid glare and no backlight

  • Do not wear sunglasses or a hat

  • If you were wearing glasses in your ID photo, try wearing them in your selfie photo 

  • Clear your browser cache, restart the browser, and try again

  • Wait 30 minutes between attempts

Still having trouble?

Learn some Identity Document verification troubleshooting tips.

Access your Profile page to update your residential address and display name or correct your date of birth.

Related article(s):