How to verify identity on Coinbase? (KYC verification)

Understanding KYC Requirements on Coinbase

1. Coinbase enforces strict Know Your Customer (KYC) policies aligned with U.S. financial regulations and global anti-money laundering standards.

2. Every user must submit government-issued identification before accessing advanced trading features, withdrawing funds above specific thresholds, or using fiat deposit methods.

3. Acceptable documents include passports, driver’s licenses, and national ID cards — all must be valid, unexpired, and legible.

4. Facial verification is mandatory for most accounts, requiring a real-time selfie or short video confirming live presence and identity match.

5. Name spelling, date of birth, and address on submitted documents must exactly match the information provided during account registration.

Step-by-Step Identity Submission Process

1. Log into your Coinbase account via desktop browser or official mobile application.

2. Navigate to the “Settings” section, then select “Identity Verification” under the “Security” tab.

3. Choose your country of residence and preferred document type from the dropdown menu.

4. Upload clear front-and-back images of your ID using a smartphone camera or computer webcam — avoid glare, shadows, or cropped edges.

5. Complete the liveness check by following on-screen prompts to blink, turn your head, or hold up a handwritten phrase.

Common Rejection Reasons and Fixes

1. Blurry or low-resolution images trigger automatic rejection — retake photos in bright, even lighting with a stable device.

2. Expired IDs are invalid — ensure the document expiration date is at least 6 months ahead of submission.

3. Mismatched names between legal ID and account profile cause delays — update personal details in account settings before re-uploading.

4. Inconsistent addresses across documents and utility bills lead to manual review — provide recent bank statements or government mail as supplementary proof.

5. Tampered or digitally altered IDs result in permanent suspension — never edit, crop, or overlay any part of the original document.

Verification Timeline and Status Tracking

1. Most standard verifications complete within 2–5 minutes if document quality and data alignment meet system criteria.

2. Cases requiring human review may take up to 48 business hours — users receive email notifications at each stage.

3. The verification status appears in real time under “Account Limits” in Settings, showing current tier and enabled functionalities.

4. Failed attempts display error codes like “IDV-007” or “LIV-214” — these correspond to specific failure types visible in the help center knowledge base.

5. Users can resubmit once per 24-hour window after correcting flagged issues — repeated failures may prompt additional security questions or phone-based validation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I verify using a temporary or provisional ID?No. Coinbase only accepts fully issued, non-provisional identification documents bearing official seals and holograms.

Q: Does Coinbase store my ID images after verification?Yes. Encrypted copies remain in secure AWS infrastructure for regulatory compliance and fraud detection, accessible only to authorized compliance staff.

Q: What happens if my name changed due to marriage or court order?You must upload both your updated ID and certified legal documentation proving the name change — such as a marriage certificate or court decree.

Q: Is verification required for crypto-only wallets without fiat onboarding?Yes. All Coinbase accounts, including those holding only cryptocurrency, require full KYC completion to comply with FinCEN and FATF guidelines.