When verifying your identity, taking a good photo of your ID can help you successfully pass verification. You’ll want to make sure the ID is legible and contains all required information (e.g. full name, barcodes, ID numbers). We recommend using a mobile device for the best result. We suggested uploading JPEG, JPG, or PNG files. We can also accept PDF and HEIC files, but these file types are not recommended. For a list of IDs we accept, visit our Help article.

Note: If you upload a PDF, you won’t see a preview of the image on the Identity Verification webpage. HEIC files are only supported while using a Safari browser.

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Tips

If using a camera to take a photo of your ID:

1. Place the ID on a dark, flat surface.
2. Choose a room with plenty of natural lighting instead of using a camera flash. It’s best to take the photo during the daytime.
3. Position the camera directly above the ID. Make sure all four corners of the ID are visible and your shadow doesn’t cover any details.
4. Hold the camera at an adequate distance to see details on the ID (i.e. full name, barcodes, ID numbers). Don’t hold it too far away, where information is illegible, and not too close where the ID gets cropped.

If using a scanner to take a photo of your ID:

1. Place the ID in the middle of the scanner, so all four corners of the ID are visible. Do not place the ID against one of the scanner’s corners.
2. (Optional) Lay a dark sheet of paper (or any material that offers a dark contrast) behind the ID to serve as a contrasting background.
3. Scan the ID.
4. Crop the scan to fit the ID, leaving less than half an inch (or 50 pixels) of space around the ID’s edges.

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Granting browser permission to take a photo

If you plan to take a photo directly from the Identity Verification webpage, rather than uploading an existing file, you may be required to grant permission for the browser to access your camera.

If you do not see a pop-up asking for permission to use your camera, you’ll need to update your browser settings. This process differs between device (e.g. smartphone vs computer) and internet browser (e.g. Chrome vs Safari). Camera permissions are generally located within your browser settings, under an option labeled Camera.

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Checklist for avoiding errors

Below are some guidelines to reduce errors during identity verification:

Mistake	Incorrect	Correct
Blurry photo If the text on your ID is hard to read, adjust the focus of your image or take a new photo.
Information is cut off Make sure the entire ID is visible, including barcodes. All four corners of the ID should be clearly seen.
Glare or shade on the photo If areas are too shiny or dark and make the photo hard to read, try adjusting the lighting or moving to another spot. Make sure to position the camera directly above the ID.
Camera is too far away from ID Only the ID should be present in the photo, no other objects. Make sure the focus is close enough to read text.

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