Having your Facebook account repeatedly reject your ID can be incredibly frustrating. There are a few common reasons why this might happen and some steps you can take to resolve the issue.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Facebook ID rejection:
- The name on your ID doesn’t match the name on your Facebook account exactly
- Your ID is expired or invalid
- The photo on your ID is unclear or obscured
- You’ve tried submitting the same ID multiple times
- Your account seems suspicious or fake to Facebook
Possible Reasons for ID Rejection
Let’s explore some of the most common reasons why Facebook may repeatedly reject your identification:
Name Mismatch
Facebook requires the name on your government-issued ID to match the name on your account exactly. If there is any difference at all, such as a middle name, nickname, or initials, Facebook may reject your ID. Some examples of mismatches that could trigger rejection include:
- Your account is under “Mike Smith” but your license says “Michael Smith”
- Your account says “Jennifer” but your ID reads “Jen Jones”
- Your account has no middle name but your ID includes one
Facebook’s name policy is very strict, so any minor difference like this can cause your ID to get rejected repeatedly.
Expired or Invalid ID
Facebook requires you to submit a valid, non-expired government ID. Examples of IDs they do not accept include:
- An expired driver’s license
- An ID that expired last month
- A temporary paper license with no expiration date
Submitting an expired or invalid ID is guaranteed to make Facebook reject it every time. Make sure yours is current and valid before trying to submit it.
Unclear Photo
Facebook needs to be able to clearly see your photo and all text on the ID. Issues like blurry photos, dark images, obscured text, or reflections can interfere and cause rejection. Make sure to take a crisp, well-lit photo before submitting it to Facebook.
Submitting the Same ID Repeatedly
If your ID has been rejected in the past, submitting the exact same photo multiple times is unlikely to work. Facebook’s system automatically recognizes previously rejected IDs. You will need to take a brand new, clear photo of your ID before trying again.
Suspicious or Fake Account
In some cases, Facebook may suspect your account is fake, fraudulent, or otherwise suspicious. Some red flags that might trigger this include:
- Your account was recently created
- You have few friends/followers
- You have generic content
- You have repeatedly tried to verify the account
If Facebook believes your account may not be real or genuine, they will be much more likely to reject your ID no matter how many times you submit it.
How to Successfully Verify Your ID
If you want to successfully get through Facebook’s ID verification process, here are some tips:
- Make sure your account name matches your ID exactly
- Use a valid, non-expired government ID
- Take a clear, well-lit photo of the entire ID
- Double check that all text is readable in the photo
- Provide a new ID photo – don’t reuse old rejected ones
- If your account seems fake, add real content and connections
- Follow up with Facebook Support if issues persist
Match Your Name
Go to your Facebook account settings and make sure the name matches your government ID completely. Update your profile name if needed to be an exact match.
Use a Valid ID
Make sure your government ID is not expired and is an acceptable type according to Facebook’s policies. Driver’s licenses and passports are best.
Take a Clear Photo
Use good lighting and a steady hand to take a crisp photo. All text should be readable without any blur or glare.
Provide a New Photo
Even slight variations between photos help Facebook’s system recognize it as new. Take the photo again rather than reuse a previously rejected one.
Improve Suspicious Accounts
If Facebook thinks your account may be fake, add real content and connections. Post updates, share photos, follow pages, and connect with friends to seem more genuine.
Contact Facebook Support
If you’ve tried everything and your ID is still rejected, reach out to Facebook Support. They can look into the issue and help troubleshoot why it’s not verifying.
Why Facebook Requires ID Verification
Facebook prompts users to submit IDs to verify their real identity for a few key reasons:
- Prevent fake accounts
- Limit abusive activity
- Comply with legal obligations
- Build user trust and safety
Prevent Fake Accounts
Requiring ID helps Facebook ensure users are who they say they are and cuts down on fake accounts used for spam, scams, and misinformation campaigns.
Limit Abusive Activity
Verified IDs makes it harder for abusive users to repeatedly violate policies and harass other users under fake names.
Comply with Laws
ID verification helps Facebook comply with laws related to knowing users’ real identities in different jurisdictions.
Build User Trust
Users feel more secure knowing they are interacting with real people who have verified identities, rather than anonymous fakes and bots.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips if Facebook keeps rejecting your ID:
- Try a different government ID if possible
- Triple check that your name, photo, and date of birth fully match
- Use natural lighting and multiple angles for your ID photo
- Clean off any dirt, smudges, stains, or reflections on the ID
- Take the photo against a plain neutral background
- Make sure the ID fully fills the frame in the photo
- Adjust brightness and contrast levels to maximize clarity
- Submit the ID photo from a different device if available
Trying different troubleshooting techniques like these can help get your ID successfully verified by Facebook when it keeps getting rejected initially.
What to Do If an ID Cannot Be Obtained
For those unable to obtain a valid government ID, whether due to age, financial constraints, or other reasons, Facebook does provide alternative options to verify your identity:
- Have 3 friends confirm your identity
- Provide an official school or work ID card
- Show mailed letters or bills addressed to you
- Provide full legal documentation of name changes
While difficult, it is still possible to fully verify and use Facebook without a formal government ID in certain circumstances. The process requires patience and willingness to share additional personal information though.
Why You May Need ID Verification
Facebook usually requires ID verification in the following situations:
- Creating a new account
- Major name changes
- Suspicious activity detected
- Reporting fake names or accounts
- Restricted from posting, commenting, sharing
- Running advertising campaigns
New Accounts
Submitting an ID helps Facebook confirm new account identities and prevent fake signups.
Name Changes
Users who change their name significantly will need to verify the new name matches their ID.
Suspicious Activity
ID verification helps resolve suspicious activity on accounts like spamming, harassment, and policy violations.
Reporting Fakes
Those reporting fake accounts or names will need to verify their own identity first in many cases.
Posting Restrictions
Restricted accounts may need to provide ID to restore posting, commenting, and sharing abilities.
Advertising
Pages running ad campaigns with Facebook must submit owner ID verification to create ads.
Conclusion
Having Facebook repeatedly reject your ID can be immensely frustrating. However, in most cases, it simply means adjusting your account name, submitting a better photo, or providing alternative verification information. With some consistent troubleshooting, you should be able to get your ID verified by Facebook and regain full access to your account’s features.