Recovering a hacked Facebook account can be a frustrating experience, especially if personal information or photos have been compromised. Many users wonder if they need to provide identification documents to prove they are the legitimate owner of the account in order to restore access.
Does Facebook require ID for account recovery?
The short answer is: sometimes. Facebook does not require ID verification for every account recovery case. However, they may ask for a copy of your government-issued ID if they need additional proof you are the rightful account holder.
Here are some of the situations when Facebook may request ID:
- You cannot remember your password and don’t have access to your registered email or phone number
- Activity on your account seems suspicious or is being reported as hacked
- You’ve reached your account recovery limit for the year
- Your account was disabled for a violation of Facebook’s Terms of Service
Essentially, if Facebook cannot confirm your identity through your email, phone number or password recovery options, submitting an ID provides definitive proof that you are the legitimate account holder.
What types of ID does Facebook accept?
Facebook asks for a valid, unexpired government ID that matches the name and photo on your Facebook account. Acceptable types of ID include:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- National identification card
- Alien registration card/green card
- Immigrant visa
- U.S. social security card
The ID must clearly show your full name, photo, date of birth, and expiration date. Facebook may also perform additional verification checks, such as matching your ID photo to profile photos or requiring a selfie showing you holding your ID.
How do I submit ID to Facebook?
If Facebook prompts you for ID, you will need to upload a photo or scanned copy. Here are the steps:
- Locate your unexpired government ID document
- Take a clear, well-lit photo or scan of the front and back
- Return to Facebook and click the option to upload ID
- Select the files from your computer to upload
- Enter your email address and click Confirm
Once submitted, Facebook will review your documents and confirm if they meet the requirements. You may be asked to provide additional photos or information. The review process can take up to 24 hours.
What if I don’t have a valid photo ID?
If you don’t have a current driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued ID, Facebook provides alternatives:
- Confirm your identity through friends. Facebook may prompt several of your friends to confirm they know you and vouch for your identity.
- Provide mail or an official document. You can upload a scanned utility bill, bank statement, voter ID card, or college enrollment document showing your name and current address.
- Submit your birth certificate. A birth certificate can demonstrate your identity if you lack other forms of ID.
Without any form of ID, it becomes very difficult for Facebook to validate you are the account owner. Having some type of identifying document is key to recovering your account access.
What happens after I send my ID to Facebook?
Here is what you can expect after submitting ID for account recovery:
- Wait for review. Facebook will need some time (up to 24 hours) to authenticate your documents and confirm you are the account holder.
- Provide additional information. Facebook may follow up asking for another form of ID, a photo of you holding your ID, or answers to security questions if they need more proof.
- Regain account access. Once approved, Facebook will send you a password reset link or otherwise restore your access to the account.
- Change passwords and security settings. Make sure to update your password, review account activity, enable two-factor authentication, and watch for suspicious posts during the recovery process.
- Submit an appeal. If your ID is rejected and account recovery denied, you can appeal the decision within Facebook’s allotted time frame.
The important thing is having valid ID ready in order to start the document review process as soon as possible. The longer an account remains compromised, the higher the risks of misuse and abusive activity.
Can someone else recover my account with my ID?
Strictly speaking, it is possible for someone else to submit your identification documents to regain access to your hacked Facebook account. However, there are significant obstacles and risks:
- They would need physical possession of your unexpired ID card or passport, which is difficult if you have it secured.
- The name, photo, and other personal details on the ID must match your Facebook profile information or it will raise verification issues.
- Facebook may detect suspicious location patterns if the hacker tries to access your account from unknown devices and IP addresses.
- Recovering your account using false pretenses and stolen ID may constitute fraud or identity theft.
For these reasons, it is highly unlikely an ID thief or hacker could circumvent Facebook’s security protocols and successfully recover your account by simply submitting your identification. The built-in checks and balances make stolen credential abuse difficult and easily detected in most cases.
Tips for protecting your Facebook account
While providing ID can be necessary to regain access to a hacked Facebook account, it is far better to avoid a compromise in the first place. Here are some best practices to secure your account:
- Create a strong, unique password and change it regularly.
- Enable two-factor authentication for logins.
- Be cautious of suspicious links and never enter your login credentials if redirected.
- Review your privacy settings and limit account exposure.
- Monitor your account activity frequently for unauthorized posts, messages, or changes.
- Use anti-virus software and a firewall to protect your devices.
- Avoid accessing Facebook from public WiFi networks.
- Turn on login notifications to be alerted of attempted logins.
Taking preventative measures greatly reduces the chances of having your Facebook account compromised. But if you do become victim to a hack or scam, submitting your ID to Facebook serves as a last resort recovery option in many cases.
Conclusion
Facebook may require ID document verification to recover a hacked or restricted account as final proof you are the legitimate owner. While submitting personal identification comes with privacy and security risks, it provides Facebook the confirmation needed if other recovery options fail. Protect your account proactively, but know that providing official ID can restore access if your account is ever compromised.