Verify your identity or payment info

For specific Google Account activities, like sign-ups for Google products or services, transactions or payment method changes, you may need to verify your identity or ownership of the payment method used.

• To verify that your info is correct when you access specific content.
• To verify your identity when you complete a transaction with Google.
• We find unusual activity or transactions.
• We need more info for legal or regulatory reasons.

Important: If we ask you to verify your account, any pending transactions are cancelled. Pending charges on your bank statement disappear within 14 working days.

To complete verification, you may be asked to verify each payment method. To do so, you can request a verification code.

You may also be asked to provide:

• Legal name
• The name used on your payments profile
• Address
• Date of birth
• An image of your government ID
• Proof of address
• An image of your payment method

Google uses the info that you provide to:

• Verify your identity or payment method.
• Protect against fraud and abuse.
• Improve verification services for Google products.

Your verified info, like name and address, is stored with your Google Account. You can manage your verified info at payments.google.com.

When applicable, the info that you submit is treated in accordance with the Google Privacy Policy and the Google Payments Privacy Notice.

1. Click Get code.
2. Go to your payment method issuer's website and sign in to your account.
3. In your transaction history, find a temporary charge of less than USD 1.95 called 'GOOGLE'. The verification code is the last six digits.
   • The amount of the temporary charge varies by the type of currency.
   • You should get the code straight away but it can take up to seven days.
   • Tip: The charge or hold on your account is temporary. Charges are refunded within 30 days.
4. Enter the six-digit code.
5. Click Verify.

Important:

• Info you upload for this process is used only for identification purposes and is handled following local regulatory requirements.
• The upload document method isn't available for YouTube and Google Store purchase verification.

To verify your identity or payment method, find the verification request. To find a list of accepted documents and instructions, use the link in the verification request.

Make sure that your documents:

• Use the same full name in all the documents that you submit.
• Are updated and not expired.
• Are legible.

Make sure that the image that you upload:

• Is an image of a document and nothing else
• Is legible
• Is in colour, not black and white
• Doesn't have blurring, glare or dim light
• Shows all 4 corners of the full document

If you redact info from documents:

• For bank statements, redact:
  • Full account numbers so that only the last 4 digits are visible
  • Any account balances or transactions. Account balances and transactions are not required for verification purposes
• To redact, you can draw a dark box to cover sensitive info before you upload it.

Tips:

• Make sure that your name, address and payment info are up to date at payments.google.com.
• After you've submitted your documents, verification may take a few days.

• If you receive an email or get an error message: Follow the instructions in the message.
• If you need help from our team to resolve the issue: We'll contact you after we have reviewed your info.