PayPal unable to verify identity is quite a common problem, so you’re not alone. The good news: there are solutions, as long as you can identify your specific problem. PayPal account verification is extremely helpful—it makes the platform even safer for you and me by helping PayPal detect and prevent unauthorized use of your account or other illegal activities. Moreover, when your account is verified, PayPal removes limits so you can send or receive more money.
In your case, you’ve probably uploaded photos of your ID card to verify your identity but it says “unable to confirm your identity”. You typically get the message: we’re sorry, but we were unable to confirm your identity at this time, try again.
Not only is this annoying but it also delays your business since PayPal will hold your funds for days until you confirm. Note whether you linked your bank and proved your SSN or not, your ID confirmation will not work if you don’t do the right thing. ID verification is different from account verification on PayPal. You only verify your bank to be able to send and receive funds to that account but when you want PayPal to hold your balance, that’s when ID verification is required.
This problem can be a mistake you’ve made which this guide will help you fix. If your PayPal ID confirmation won’t work, it’s usually advisable to contact customer support.
PayPal unable to verify identity
PayPal unable to verify identity could be because you have not provided enough confirmation information. Sometimes, the information you provided may not match what PayPal has on file, thus, identity verification fails.
When PayPal confirm identity is not working, you want to make sure that the provided information clearly states your full name, date of birth, and address, and the ID must be government-issued identification.
Meanwhile, PayPal required documentation such as a utility bill or bank statement is usually required to confirm your address, not your identity.
If you can’t provide the required information or your provided information does not match what PayPal has on file, contact PayPal customer support to help resolve the issue.
The whole procedure may seem unfair to you but understand that PayPal takes your security very seriously, and take these additional steps to protect your account from fraud or other unauthorized activity.
Below are some reasons for PayPal unable to verify identity:
1. Below 18 of age
Does PayPal verify identity under 18? Unfortunately, if you’re below 18 years of age, PayPal will permanently limit your account due to federal limitations and regulations that force a zero-tolerance policy on age. So, if you’re still under 18, that is the reason PayPal is unable to verify your identity.
So, what happens to your funds? PayPal will hold it for 180 days after which you will be allowed to withdraw the funds to your bank opened in your legal name and the PayPal account will be closed after PayPal unable to verify identity.
If you try to forge an ID or fight PayPal’s decision, it will drag the process and PayPal will potentially hold your funds for a longer time.
2. Wrong verification document
PayPal is unable to verify your ID because you may be using the wrong PayPal identity verification documents. Note that PayPal does not accept military IDs, state medical cards, student cards, or expired, partial, or obscured documents for identity verification.
PayPal only accepts the following documents for identity verification:
- Valid ID card
- Driver’s license (the plastic card, not the official letter)
- Passport
- Other government-issued photo ID
3. Scanned document elements not visible
When you send your documents, make sure that the following information is visible:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Issue and expiration dates
- Document ID number
If your document is blurry or missing any of the information above, you’ll get an identity verification error message.
4. Wrong name on the ID
If your ID has a name different from what PayPal has on file, your ID verification will fail. Usually, PayPal asks for additional documentation when you change your name so that you’ll be providing matching information for your ID verification.
How do I fix my PayPal identity verification?
This section explains how to confirm identity on PayPal. Before you send your document, make sure it meets the following requirements:
Submit the right document
Make sure the document you’re submitting is not expired and that it is government-issued. PayPal identity verification documents include:
- Driver’s license
- Valid ID card
- Driver’s license (the plastic card, not the official letter)
- Passport
Do not submit student ID, military ID, or state card—PayPal does not accept these.
Legibility
The content of the document must be legible.
Clarity
PayPal does not accept documents with blurred or blacked-out information.
Capture the whole document
Your submitted document must show all 4 corners.
Match your PayPal information
Most importantly, your ID information must match your PayPal account information.
Contact customer service
Your best bet is to contact PayPal customer service. They will take a look and see what can be done to fix your PayPal identity confirmation problem. Just click the help/contact bottom on the left of PayPal pages for contact options available in your country.
Meanwhile, you can attempt to bypass PayPal ID verification, but that will restrict you from holding a balance on PayPal.
PayPal account verification process
The Customer Identification Program (CIP) by PayPal, as mentioned earlier, is designed for PayPal to know and protect you and your account from fraudsters. PayPal only asks for essential information when you sign up, however, you have to verify your identity if you decide to hold a balance on PayPal. Note that PayPal is legally obligated to verify your identity even though PayPal is not a bank.
If the PayPal unable to verify identity persists, you can only send money and make PayPal purchases using your bank or debit/credit card, not your PayPal balance. Meanwhile, here are explanations if your card won’t pay on PayPal.
So, while you are awaiting customer service to fix your identity verification problem, you can verify your account by linking your bank account or debit card to PayPal.
So, if you have decided not to hold your balance, send, and receive funds on PayPal, you don’t need ID verification. You can just follow the steps below to verify your account by linking your bank account or card. So, how do I verify my PayPal account?
- Log into Paypal via https://www.paypal.com in your browser.
- Click the tab Pay & Get Paid at the top of the page.
- Click Banks & Cards. You can link either a debit card or a checking account or both.
- if you’re linking your bank account, choose your account type to link. Select your bank from the list or enter the bank name manually.
- If you’re linking a debit card, choose the issuing bank from the list or select Debit or credit card to enter your card’s details manually.
- Enter your banking account or debit card information.
- If you’re linking a bank account, enter the routing number and account number (refer to your check or banking statement for this information).
- If you’re linking a debit card, enter the card number, expiration date, 3-digit CVV code, and any other required information.
- Click Agree and Link or Link Card. That’s all if you automatically entered your bank.
If you entered your bank account details manually, continue with the steps below:
- PayPal will send two deposits to your account to be used for the verification. You should receive 2 verification deposits within 3 business days after manually entering your bank account information. Check your bank transaction if you don’t receive the notification within 3 days.
- Enter the 2 deposits for PayPal account verification by clicking Wallet tab » your bank information » Link your bank another way » and enter the exact amounts of the two small deposits you received.
- Click Submit.
If your bank merges those 2 deposits from PayPal as one transaction, you have to contact PayPal support.
Section summary: you can verify your PayPal account by adding and confirming your bank account or applying and getting approved for a PayPal Credit product, according to PayPal.
However, if you have no bank account or debit card, but want PayPal to hold your balance, you must verify your identity by working with customer service to resolve the “PayPal unable to identify” problem. Just make sure to follow the earlier sections where I’ve explained the possible causes of the error before you contact the customer to help resolve the issue.
PayPal confirm identity how long?
PayPal takes 3 business days long to confirm your identity after a review. You’ll be notified once your ID review is completed. Please see the duration reference here by PayPal.
PayPal identity verification documents
PayPal accepts copies of the following as identity verification documents:
- ID card
- Driver’s license (the plastic card, not the official letter)
- Passport
- Other government-issued photo ID
Always make sure that the following information is visible on your ID:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Issue and expiration dates
- Document ID number
PayPal does not accept military IDs, State medical cards, student cards, and expired documents for identity verification. So, your PayPal unable to verify identity could be caused by invalid ID.
Can I send money on PayPal without verifying my identity?
You can send money on PayPal without verifying your identity. However, you can only send money and make PayPal purchases using your bank or debit/credit card, not your PayPal balance.
PayPal will only request your essential information when you sign up. If you decide to hold a balance on your PayPal account, that’s when you will have to verify your identity.
Note that PayPal is legally obligated to verify your identity. PayPal may not be a bank but MUST COMPLY with government regulations like any financial institution.