Uploading an ID to Facebook is necessary in certain situations, such as when setting up a new account or when asked to confirm your identity. Naturally, users want to know how long it takes for Facebook to verify an ID after uploading it. There are a few factors that affect the ID verification process time on Facebook.
Why Upload ID to Facebook
There are a couple of reasons why Facebook may require you to upload a form of ID:
- Setting up a new account – To create a new Facebook account, you need to provide your real identity. Facebook asks for ID to confirm you are using your real name.
- Account verification – If Facebook detects suspicious activity on your account, you may be asked to provide ID to prove you are the legitimate account holder.
- Advertising compliance – Advertisers on Facebook need to go through an identity confirmation process which involves submitting ID.
Valid forms of ID accepted by Facebook include government-issued IDs like driver’s licenses and passports, as well as official documents like tax records and utility bills. The ID must contain your name, photo, and date of birth.
Facebook ID Verification Process
When you upload an ID to Facebook, it goes through the following verification process:
- You upload a photo or scan of your ID through the Facebook app or website. Make sure the image is clear and legible.
- Facebook’s automated systems check the ID details against the information on your account. They look for matching details like your name, photo, and date of birth.
- If automated matching fails, your ID goes for manual review by a member of Facebook’s Community Operations team.
- The Facebook reviewer checks that your ID matches your account details and that it is a valid, unedited document.
- Once verified, you will get a notification that your ID has been confirmed.
Facebook states that their automated systems can verify most IDs immediately. Manual reviews take longer as they involve human verification.
How Long Does Facebook Take to Verify ID?
So how long does it take for Facebook to complete ID verification? Here’s an overview of the typical processing times:
Immediate Verification
If Facebook’s automated systems can match your ID details to your account information, approval happens instantly. This is the fastest processing time and occurs for the majority of ID uploads. You’ll get a confirmation that your ID is verified right after uploading it.
1-3 Days
If automated matching fails, Facebook will do a manual review of your ID. This takes 1-3 business days in most cases. The reviewer has to thoroughly check your ID against your account to confirm it’s valid. You’ll receive a notification when the review is completed.
Up to 1 Week
For a small percentage of ID reviews, Facebook may require additional documentation or details from you. In such cases, the overall turnaround time can be up to 1 week.
For example, if your ID image is blurry, they may ask you to upload a clearer version. If the names on your ID and Facebook account don’t match, you may need to explain why (e.g. name change after marriage).
Providing any additional details Facebook asks for will help speed up the process.
Limited Account Access During Review
While Facebook is verifying your ID, you may find some limitations on accessing your account:
- Can’t post content publicly – Your posts will only be visible to you until ID confirmation.
- Limited features – You may not be able to access certain features like ads or payments.
- Content restrictions – Some content you shared in the past may be temporarily unavailable.
These limitations are lifted immediately after your ID gets successfully verified.
Factors Affecting ID Verification Time
There are a few key factors that can impact how long it takes Facebook to confirm your ID:
ID Type
The type of ID you upload affects verification speed:
| ID Type | Verification Speed |
|---|---|
| Government-Issued ID (Driver’s License, Passport) | Faster |
| Utility Bills, Tax Records | Slower |
Government IDs have all the details Facebook needs – name, photo, birth date, expiry date, issue date. This allows faster automated verification.
Other documents like utility bills may lack some key details, so take longer to validate manually.
ID Image Quality
A clear, high-quality image of your entire ID speeds up verification. Blurry images make it harder for Facebook’s automated systems to match data. Here are some tips for uploading a good quality ID image:
- Take a well-lit, focused photo or scan of your ID. Avoid shadows, glares, or artifacts.
- Make sure the text and photo on your ID are clearly visible without any obstruction.
- Double check that the image is not blurry and all edges are within the frame before uploading.
Matching Account Information
Any major differences between your ID details and Facebook account information will flag your ID for manual review. This includes discrepancies in:
- Name
- Photo
- Date of birth
If automated systems cannot find enough matches, verification takes longer. Having matching information on your ID and Facebook profile helps speed up the process.
Previous ID Verification Issues
If your account has had ID verification issues in the past, any subsequent uploads may undergo additional scrutiny. For example, if you’ve uploaded an invalid or edited ID before, Facebook will be extra cautious verifying your new ID.
Previous infractions around ID verification can hamper your verification attempts. Maintaining updated, accurate information can help avoid this.
Unusual Activity on Account
Facebook may flag accounts exhibiting suspicious behavior for ID checks. If your account usage seems out of the ordinary, like sudden increased posts or location changes, the ID process may be lengthier while they investigate for potential breaches.
Maintaining normal usage patterns can prevent unnecessary delays in ID verification.
Speeding Up Facebook ID Verification
Here are some tips to help expedite Facebook’s processing of your ID upload:
- Double check your account details are accurate and match your ID before uploading.
- Provide a government-issued ID like a driver’s license or passport if possible.
- Take a clear, well-lit photo or scan of your entire ID.
- Make sure your face is visible on your Facebook profile photo.
- Respond promptly if Facebook asks for additional information or ID images.
- Avoid sudden spikes in account activity right before uploading your ID.
Following Facebook’s ID guidelines and cooperating promptly with any requests can help minimize turnaround time.
Conclusion
In summary, most Facebook ID verifications take no time at all when done via automated systems. Manual reviews take 1-3 business days in most cases, but can take up to a week if additional documentation is needed.
Factors like ID type, image quality, account history, and information accuracy affect the processing time. Government IDs, clear images, well-maintained accounts, and cooperating with Facebook’s process helps expedite verification.
Uploading a valid ID is necessary to access certain Facebook features and content. With an understanding of the key factors involved, users can optimize their ID upload to ensure the quickest verification times on Facebook.