Having your ID rejected by Facebook can be frustrating. There are a few key reasons why Facebook may not accept an ID that meets all the stated requirements.
The name on your ID does not match your account name
One of the most common reasons an ID gets rejected is that the name on the ID does not match the name on your Facebook account. Facebook’s real name policy requires that you use your authentic name on your account. If the name on your government ID does not exactly match the name on your Facebook profile, the ID verification will fail.
There are a few scenarios where this could occur:
- Your account is under a nickname, shortened name, or initials rather than your full name
- You recently changed your name due to marriage or divorce but have not yet updated your ID
- There is a spelling error or typo causing a slight difference between names
- Your ID shows a middle name or suffix that is not on your Facebook profile
To resolve this, you will need to update your name on either Facebook or your ID document so they match exactly. If updating your government ID is not feasible, you can change the name on your Facebook account to match your current ID.
The photo on your ID is outdated or unrecognizable
Facebook’s automated systems rely partially on matching your ID photo to photos of you that are visible on your Facebook profile. If the photo on your ID is very outdated or of poor quality, Facebook may not be able to make a positive match.
Some scenarios where the ID photo causes issues:
- The ID photo is over 10 years old showing you at a much younger age
- The photo is blurry, overexposed, or obscured
- You look significantly different now due to weight loss/gain, aging, or other changes
- The photo shows you with a substantially different hairstyle, makeup, facial hair, or glasses
To resolve this, renewing your ID to get an updated photo is the best option. Short of that, adding recent, clear, high-quality photos to your Facebook profile that resemble your current appearance can help the system make a match.
The name or date of birth does not match your account
Facebook cross-checks the name and birthdate on your ID against the details you provided when setting up your account. If there is any mismatch, the ID verification will fail.
Some examples of info mismatches:
- You entered the wrong birthdate when creating your account originally
- Your account is under a shortened version of your first name that differs from your ID
- You have a typo in your last name on your account profile
- You used an Anglicized version of your name on Facebook versus the name format on your ID
To fix this, you will need to ensure the name and birthday listed on your Facebook account match your ID details exactly. Updating the incorrect info in your Facebook profile should resolve the issue.
Your ID is damaged or altered
Facebook’s automated systems look for any signs of tampering, alterations, damage, or irregularities when examining IDs. Even minor damage or discoloration can sometimes cause issues.
Some types of ID damage that could lead to a rejection include:
- The ID laminate is visibly peeling or bubbling
- The ID surface is scratched, worn down, or cracked
- Photos or text appear smudged, faded, or bleached out
- There are visible stains, water damage, or creases
- Any portions have been physically altered or manipulated
To address this, you will need to order a replacement ID through the issuing authority. Using a pristine, undamaged ID gives you the best chance for a successful verification.
The ID is expired
Facebook requires that the government ID document you submit is valid and unexpired. Using an ID that has passed its expiration date is guaranteed to lead to rejection.
Some points to keep in mind regarding expired IDs:
- Even IDs that expired very recently will be declined
- Facebook only accepts current, not expired IDs for verification
- You cannot renew the ID online or through the mail – you must get a new physical ID
- Some states provide a grace renewal period, but Facebook does not accept IDs in this status
Once your ID has expired, applying in person for a renewal at your local DMV or passport office is necessary before Facebook will accept the ID.
The ID document type is not accepted
Facebook has a list of approved ID document types that their system will accept. If the ID you submit is not on this list, it will lead to an automatic rejection.
Some examples of unsupported documents:
- Employee ID cards
- School and university IDs
- International driving permits
- Warehouse club cards
- Public transportation cards
- National ID cards from some countries
Reference Facebook’s help center for the full list of accepted documents for your country. Typically, government-issued IDs like passports, driver’s licenses, and national identity cards are allowed as long as they are not expired.
You entered the wrong ID type
When going through the Facebook ID verification process, you have to specify what type of document you are submitting. If you select the wrong document type that does not match the ID image, it will lead to automatic rejection.
Some examples of incorrect document type selection:
- Submitting a passport but selecting “driver’s license” as the document type
- Uploading a national ID card but selecting “military ID”
- Entering a biometric residence permit but choosing “passport” as the type
Carefully select the appropriate matching document type during the submission process to avoid this error.
The ID details are not legible
Facebook’s systems must be able to recognize and interpret details on the ID, including names, dates, codes, and other printed information. If the text and details on the ID image you submit are illegible for any reason, the verification will fail.
Some circumstances that lead to unclear ID details:
- Blurry or pixilated photos from low resolution scans or images
- Reflections or glares obscuring portions of the ID
- Shadows falling across the ID text
- Very small text size on the ID itself
- Distortion from scanning ID at an angle rather than head-on
Using a direct, high resolution scan or photo of your ID improves legibility. Check for any issues on the image before uploading.
You submitted the wrong side of a two-sided ID
Some government IDs are two-sided with information printed on both the front and back. Facebook’s systems specifically analyze the front side of accepted IDs.
If your ID has info and details on both sides, be sure to upload the front side image for the verification process. Common two-sided IDs include:
- Driver’s licenses
- National identity cards
- Biometric residence permits
- Military IDs
Flipping your ID over and submitting the unscanned back side is a quick way to get an immediate rejection from Facebook’s automated systems.
You already submitted that ID previously
Facebook’s system maintains a log of all ID documents that users submit for verification. Submitting the same ID more than once can lead to rejection.
Cases where you may try submitting the same ID repeatedly:
- Making another attempt after your ID was initially rejected
- Trying again with adjustments after a rejection
- Forgetting you already went through the verification process
If your first ID submission fails, go through the troubleshooting steps and resolve any issues before trying again. Repetitively submitting the same unchanged ID is likely to produce the same result.
The verification systems are experiencing errors
In some cases, the rejections are not necessarily user error. Facebook’s automated systems for analyzing and approving IDs can malfunction or experience temporary glitches.
Some indications the system itself may be having issues:
- High volume of recent complaints about rejections from other users
- Problems are widespread rather than isolated cases
- Multiple attempts with perfectly valid IDs still get rejected
- Facebook has acknowledged system errors publicly
If you are confident there are no issues with the ID you submitted, then verification system errors are likely the culprit. Trying again at a later time when Facebook has resolved the glitches can help.
Your account is under an incorrect disabling restriction
Facebook may restrict certain accounts from accessing features like ID verification if they detect suspicious activity. However, sometimes these restrictions can be applied incorrectly.
Signs your account may be under an incorrect disable include:
- A notice that you violated Facebook policies upon trying to verify
- Being immediately rejected without the typical review period
- Having a longstanding account in good standing with no prior issues
If you believe your account has become incorrectly restricted, you can appeal the decision through Facebook’s Help Center. Clearing up any mistaken restrictions can allow you to complete ID verification.
You have not met the eligibility requirements
Facebook imposes certain prerequisites before allowing accounts to undergo ID verification. Failing to meet these requirements ahead of time leads to instant rejection.
Some of the eligibility criteria that must be satisfied include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Having an account that has been active for over 30 days
- Maintaining a primary Facebook profile under your real name
- No current account restrictions or disabling blocks
Checking that you meet all prerequisites for ID verification before submitting docs avoids quick rejections.
Your account history shows suspicious patterns
Beyond your current account status, Facebook examines your broader account history when evaluating an ID submission.
Red flags from your prior activity that can lead to rejected verification include:
- A past record of violating Facebook policies
- Having multiple previously disabled accounts
- Switches between different names or contact info
- Use of aliases, dummy profiles, or misrepresentation
Establishing a clean track record and avoiding suspicious behavior reduces the risk of issues during ID verification.
Your location data shows inconsistencies
Facebook compares your stated country of residence to any available location data associated with your account such as login IP addresses.
Location inconsistencies that appear suspicious and lead to rejections include:
- Stating you live in a country that does not match logged IPs
- Frequent location switches without explanation
- VPNs or IP anonymization tools used to mask locations
- Residency in regions prohibited by US sanctions
Avoiding location-masking tools and ensuring your stated residence matches login patterns improves verification success.
You submitted from an unrecognized mobile device
Facebook’s systems track and learn to recognize the devices typically used to access each account. Verification attempts from completely new and unknown devices are treated as higher risk.
Situations that can trigger this issue include:
- Getting a brand new phone or computer
- Using a friend’s device instead of your own
- Logging in from a public computer or a new VPN
- Traveling and accessing Facebook from a new mobile device
Sticking to recognized devices when possible reduces risk. Switching between many random devices makes verification more difficult.
Conclusion
Failing Facebook’s ID verification process can be both annoying and disruptive to your account access. While there are many potential reasons an ID might get rejected, taking the right steps can help resolve these issues and successfully confirm your identity on most attempts.
Some key tips include:
- Ensuring all personal info matches exactly between your ID and Facebook account
- Renewing expired or outdated IDs to get fresh photos and details
- Submitting only currently accepted and unexpired ID document types
- Using high quality images that are legible and properly focused
- Checking that you meet all Facebook eligibility criteria ahead of time
- Avoiding location masking tools and accessing Facebook from recognized devices when possible
With persistence and checking for potential errors on each try, you should eventually pass the process and have full access restored to your account.