For legal, compliance and fraud-prevention purposes, Coinbase requires identity verification at account creation and periodically for record-keeping. Accounts have limited functionality until verification is complete.
Recognise identity verification requests
Identity verification requests display in the Coinbase app or in a browser after signing in to your account. Some customers might receive a verification email.
To help keep your account secure:
Sign in to Coinbase and check your account before opening links in emails.
Legitimate Coinbase identity verification flows may use these Coinbase-owned domains:
coinbase.com and localised variants (coinbase.com/*).
identification.coinbase.com, which hosts secure identity verification pages on behalf of Coinbase.
Before uploading your ID, check that the page URL ends in .coinbase.com.
Coinbase will not ask you to complete identity verification or upload documents on non-Coinbase domains, even if they use the Coinbase name or logo. Do not email ID photos to Coinbase Support.
Start the identification process
Locate one of the identity verification documents for your country from the list below.
Sign in to Coinbase.
When prompted, select Verify your info.
Follow the instructions to upload your ID.
After successful completion of the identification process, you'll receive a notification of the review status within 24 hours.
Note: Documents sent via email will not be accepted.
Use another device to complete verification
Some desktop or laptop devices can't complete identity verification because they don't have a camera or their camera access is blocked. In these cases, you may see an option to carry on on your phone using a QR code.
To use another device to complete verification:
Sign in to your Coinbase account on the device that requested verification and follow the prompts until the flow tries to access your camera.
Wait on the verification page; if the device cannot use a camera for document capture, a QR code may appear with a message such as ‘Continue on your phone.’
Open the camera app or a QR-scanning app on your phone or tablet and point it at the QR code on the device you used to start the process.
Select the banner or link that appears on the page to open the identity verification page in your browser.
To complete ID and selfie capture, follow the instructions on your device to capture your ID and selfie using the camera, then submit the verification.
To finish the original task, return to the app or browser where you started verification and follow any remaining prompts.
The QR code and identity verification page are linked to your active verification session. If you wait too long before scanning or attempt to reuse an old code, the session may time out, causing you to restart verification.
Identity verification documents-EU
UK/EU-issued passport
UK/EU-issued driving licence
UK/EU-issued national identity card
Driving licence, passport, ID or card from the supported countries listed in the section Foreign ID documents are accepted
We may also ask you to upload your proof of address using one of the following documents:
Bank statement
Credit card statement
Utility bill
Note: The issuing date of the proof of address document must be within three months of submitting it to Coinbase.
Accepted EU/EEA identity documents
EU-issued passport
EU-issued driving licence
EU-issued national identity card
Driving licence, passport, ID or card from the supported countries listed in the section Foreign ID documents are accepted
We may also ask you to upload your proof of address using one of the following documents:
Bank statement
Credit card statement
Utility bill
Note: The issuing date of the proof of address document must be within three months of submitting it to Coinbase.
Accepted identity documents
Passport (UK/EU only)
Government-issued photo ID (UK/EU only)
National Identity Card (UK/EU only)
Residence permits
Important:
Please make sure your document is valid. We can't accept expired IDs.
Exception: Residence Permit Cards expiring on or after 31 December 2024 can be used to verify your account until at least 31 March.
Unaccepted identity documents
United States Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
School IDs
Medical IDs
Temporary (paper) IDs
Public Services Card
Military IDs
*Open image in a new tab for a larger version.
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 settings allow Coinbase access to your camera and photos
Natural light works best to ensure your area is well lit.
Use indirect light to avoid glare.
If you must use a webcam, try setting the ID down flat and move the webcam instead of moving the ID.
Use a plain background for the ID.
Don’t hold the ID in your hand (as this can confuse the focusing lens and obstruct your ID).
Wait at least 30 minutes between attempts.
If issues persist, clear your browser cache, restart the browser and try again.
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, without backlight.
Use indirect light to avoid glare.
Do not wear sunglasses or a hat.
If you were wearing glasses in your ID photo, try wearing them in your selfie photo.
Wait at least 30 minutes between attempts.
If issues persist, clear your browser cache, restart the browser and try again.
If you're still having trouble, reference the Identity Document verification troubleshooting tips.
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