This article is for customers in the US and Canada. If you are located in the UK, please review this article.
Contents
- Overview
- Why Stripe requires verification
- Who may need to verify their identity
- Information Stripe may request
- Additional verification requirements
- Documents for verification
- Identity document requirements
- Address verification
- Example documents for the United States and Canada
- How to upload documents
- Why Stripe may suddenly request additional information
- FAQ
- Summary
Overview
If you receive payouts through Stripe, Stripe may ask you to verify your identity, address, or business details. This process is commonly known as Know Your Customer (KYC).
Stripe is required to collect and verify information about individuals and businesses receiving payments. The exact requirements depend on factors such as your country, business structure, and the capabilities enabled on your account.
This article explains:
- what information Stripe may request
- which documents are typically accepted
- which additional information businesses may need to provide
Important: Verification requirements may vary depending on your country, business structure, and account activity. Stripe determines which information or documents are required for each account. Always refer to the official Stripe documentation for the most current requirements.
For the most up-to-date requirements, see the Stripe documentation:
Why Stripe requires verification
Stripe is a regulated financial services provider and must comply with anti-money-laundering and financial regulations.
As part of the verification process, Stripe may need to confirm:
- the identity of the account representative
- the business receiving payments
- business owners or individuals with significant control
- directors or company officers
If Stripe cannot verify this information automatically, you may be asked to provide additional documentation.
Who may need to verify their identity
Depending on your business structure, Stripe may request verification from several individuals connected to the account.
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Account representative | The person responsible for managing the Stripe account |
| Business owner | Individuals who own or control the business |
| Director or officer | Company directors or executives |
| Sole proprietor | The individual operating the business |
Information Stripe may request
Stripe may request both personal and business information.
Personal information
- full legal name
- date of birth
- residential address
- email address
- phone number
Business information
- legal business name
- business address
- company registration number
- tax identification information
- description of products or services
In some cases, Stripe may also verify tax identification numbers, such as an SSN or EIN in the United States.
Additional verification requirements
Stripe may require additional information depending on your account type, country, and regulatory requirements.
Identity verification
Stripe may ask for:
- a government-issued identity document
- a proof of address
- a selfie verification through Stripe Identity
Business verification
Stripe may verify business details such as:
- legal business registration
- company ownership structure
- information about directors or officers
- tax identification information
Impact on payments and payouts
If required information is missing or cannot be verified, Stripe may temporarily restrict certain account capabilities such as:
- accepting payments
- receiving payouts
Documents for verification
If Stripe cannot automatically verify your information, you may need to upload supporting documents.
These typically include:
- identity documents
- address documents
- business registration documents
The information on verification documents should match the information entered in your Stripe account.
See the official Stripe guides:
Identity document requirements
To be accepted, identity documents must meet certain requirements.
- the document must be valid and not expired
- photos must be in color
- all document edges must be visible
- text must be clear and readable
- screenshots are not accepted
- images should be uploaded as JPG or PNG
- scanned documents may be uploaded as PDF
If both sides of a document contain information, both sides must be uploaded.
Address verification
Stripe may also request proof of residential address.
Common examples include:
- bank statements
- utility bills
- government letters
The document must clearly display the individual's full name and residential address and include at least one complete page of the document.
Example documents for the United States and Canada
The following examples illustrate common document types customers use for verification.
| Category | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Passport, Driver’s License, State ID | Passport, Driver’s License, Provincial ID |
| Address | Bank statement, Utility bill, Government letter | Bank statement, Utility bill, Government letter |
| Business | Articles of Incorporation, EIN confirmation, business registration documents | Business registration documents |
These examples are for guidance only. Always refer to the Stripe documentation for the latest accepted documents.
How to upload documents
Upload requested documents directly in the Stripe Dashboard.
- Open your Stripe Dashboard.
- Navigate to the verification section.
- Upload the requested documents.
- Ensure the information matches your Stripe account details.
Stripe does not accept verification documents by email.
Why Stripe may suddenly request additional information
Stripe may request additional information even if your account has already been active.
This can happen for several reasons, including:
- changes in financial regulations
- verification thresholds being reached
- Stripe being unable to automatically verify submitted information
- additional verification of business owners, directors, or tax information
- updates to Stripe’s verification requirements for connected accounts
If additional information is required, Stripe will notify you in the Stripe Dashboard and ask you to provide the necessary details or documents.
FAQ
Which documents does Stripe accept?
The accepted documents depend on the country and verification type. See the Stripe documentation for the latest list.
Do businesses need to upload company documents?
Yes. Stripe may request business registration or ownership documents for company accounts.
Can Stripe request information about company owners?
Yes. Stripe may require information about individuals who own or control the business.
Why does Stripe ask for more information after my account was already active?
Stripe may request more information if regulations change, if additional verification is required, or if submitted information could not be confirmed automatically.
Note on Stripe verification
The information in this article is provided for general guidance only. Verification requirements are determined solely by Stripe and may vary depending on the country, account type, business structure, or regulatory requirements.
If you have questions about your Stripe account or verification status, please contact Stripe Support or refer to the official Stripe documentation.
Summary
Stripe verification helps meet financial regulations and protect payment systems.
- Stripe may request personal and business information.
- Identity and address documents may be required.
- Businesses may need to provide ownership, tax, and registration information.
- Stripe documentation provides the most current verification requirements.