Facebook’s identity confirmation process is in place to ensure real people are creating accounts and to prevent fake accounts. When you create a new Facebook account, you may be asked to confirm your identity by providing additional information like a photo ID. So how long does this identity confirmation process take? Here’s an overview of what to expect.
Why Facebook Requires ID Verification
Facebook asks some users to provide ID to confirm their identity for a few main reasons:
- To prevent fake and duplicate accounts. Requiring ID makes it harder for bots and scammers to create accounts in bulk.
- To ensure people are using their real names. Facebook aims to be a community of real people, not anonymous users.
- To secure accounts from suspicious activity. If an account shows signs of suspicious behavior, ID may be required.
- To verify age requirements. In some locations, verifying your age through ID is necessary to create an account.
By confirming identities, Facebook can make their platform more secure and build an authentic community.
The Identity Confirmation Process
When Facebook prompts you to confirm your identity, the process typically involves these steps:
- Uploading a photo ID. Facebook asks you to upload a photo of your official ID card or document like a driver’s license or passport.
- Entering your full name and date of birth exactly as they appear on your ID document.
- Providing a confirmation selfie. You’ll need to take a selfie photo through Facebook’s process to match your profile photo with your ID photo.
Facebook needs this combination of information – your official ID, date of birth, and a corresponding selfie – to verify that you are the person creating the account.
How Long Does ID Verification Take?
So once you provide this required information for identity confirmation, how long does it take Facebook to complete the verification process?
The time it takes can vary depending on these factors:
- Volume of requests. More requests leads to longer processing times.
- Quality of documentation provided. Clear accurate documents are easier to verify.
- Manual reviews required. Some accounts need extra fraud checks by staff.
However, Facebook aims to confirm identities within 1-3 business days on average. Here are more details:
Automatic Confirmation
For straightforward requests with good documentation, Facebook’s systems can automatically verify your identity within minutes. The majority of requests fall into this quick category if clear ID and selfie images are provided.
Manual Review
For more complex cases that require staff to manually check for any risks or inconsistencies, the process can take 1-3 business days. This allows time for careful human verification by Facebook’s safety teams.
Extended Review
In a small subset of cases, an extended manual review of 5 or more business days may be necessary if any issues come up requiring investigation. However, extended reviews are uncommon.
Updates While Pending
While your request is pending, Facebook will notify you through email updates on the status. Be sure to check your email inbox for any requests from Facebook during the verification process.
Tips for Speeding Up ID Verification
To go through Facebook’s identity confirmation process as quickly as possible, here are some key tips:
- Provide a clear valid ID photo. Make sure your identification document is not expired and all text is legible.
- Match your selfie to your profile photo angle. This makes facial recognition easier.
- Ensure your personal details match exactly to your documentation.
- Double check that your images meet Facebook’s requirements before uploading.
- Respond promptly if Facebook requests any additional information.
Following Facebook’s guidelines closely the first time reduces the chance of any manual reviews or delays.
What Happens If Verification Fails?
In some cases, Facebook may be unable to verify your identity based on the information provided. Some reasons verification could fail include:
- ID document is invalid or expired.
- Names, dates, or other details don’t match up.
- Uploaded images don’t meet requirements.
- Suspicious activity patterns on the account.
If your verification fails, Facebook will notify you by email and may:
- Request different or additional documentation like utility bills.
- Require a new selfie photo.
- Ask you to complete the verification flow from the beginning.
- Disable certain account functions until the issue is resolved.
Repeated failures to verify identity could lead to the account being permanently disabled.
Getting Back Into a Disabled Account
If your unverified account ends up disabled by Facebook, here are some steps to try to regain access:
- Complete the verification process again with valid accurate documentation.
- Provide a government-issued ID if prompted even if not requested initially.
- Appeal the decision through Facebook’s help center if you believe the account was disabled in error.
- Consult Facebook’s help pages on reinstating disabled accounts.
- Wait out the designated period of time if the account is temporarily suspended.
However, if Facebook continues finding issues confirming your identity or suspicious activity, the account may stay disabled.
Conclusion
To wrap up, most Facebook identity confirmations take just minutes or 1-3 days on average when proper documentation is provided. By submitting a clear valid photo ID, matching selfie, and accurate personal details, you can move through the process quickly and get full access to your account. With billions of users, identity checks are crucial for Facebook to maintain trust and safety across its platform.