Verifying your LinkedIn account with an ID card is a great way to prove your identity and establish credibility on the platform. A verified account shows other LinkedIn users that you are who you say you are. The blue “Verified” badge on your profile indicates that LinkedIn has confirmed your identity. This can help build trust and credibility for networking, job searching, and overall brand-building on LinkedIn.
What types of ID can I use to verify my account?
LinkedIn allows you to verify your account with a government-issued ID that includes your photo, name, and date of birth. The following types of IDs are accepted:
- Driver’s license
- State or government ID card
- Passport
- National ID card
- Alien registration card or green card
- National health card (in some countries)
Your ID must be currently valid (unexpired) in order to use it for LinkedIn account verification. Expired IDs are not accepted. The name on your ID also must match the name on your LinkedIn profile exactly. If your name on LinkedIn does not match your government-issued ID due to things like maiden name, name change, etc., you will need to update your name on LinkedIn before you can get verified.
How do I verify my account with an ID card?
Verifying your LinkedIn account with an ID card is a simple process that only takes a few minutes. Here are the steps:
- Open LinkedIn and log into your account
- Go to your profile page
- Click on the “More” icon in the top right and select “View profile”
- From the “View profile” page, click “Add profile section” and select “Verification”
- Choose “Verify via ID” and click “Continue”
- Carefully enter your full name exactly as it appears on your ID card
- Select the type of ID you want to use to verify
- Enter your ID number
- Upload a photo or scanned image of your ID card
- Confirm all entered details are correct
- Click “Submit” to complete verification
Once you submit for verification, LinkedIn will review your information and validate your ID. You’ll get notified by email when the verification process is complete. It usually takes around 24 hours, but can sometimes take up to 5 business days to get fully verified. After approval, the blue verified badge will appear on your profile!
Tips for successful verification
To make sure the ID verification process goes smoothly, keep these tips in mind:
- Double check your name. Make absolutely sure the name on your LinkedIn account matches your government ID. Even small differences will cause verification to fail.
- Use a quality photo or scan. Submit a clear, well-lit, high resolution image where all text and details are legible on the ID. Blurry or cropped images often get rejected.
- Have your ID ready. You’ll need to enter the ID number and upload an image, so have your card accessible before starting.
- Only submit current, valid IDs. Expired documents will be automatically rejected. Make sure your ID is currently valid.
- Try again if denied. If verification is denied, double check requirements and try resubmitting. You can attempt again after 30 days.
Why should I get a verified badge on LinkedIn?
Here are some of the top benefits of getting your LinkedIn profile verified with an ID card:
- Proves you’re a real person and establishes authenticity of your account
- Builds credibility and trustworthiness for networking
- Can increase chances of your profile being viewed and connections being accepted
- Adds legitimacy that can help with job applications
- May help get your profile ranked higher in search results
- Gives you access to certain job listings and features on LinkedIn
- Differentiates you from others and adds a professional edge
The blue verified checkmark shows you have nothing to hide and are who you say you are. In many ways, it’s like getting your Master’s degree or certificates in your industry. It’s worth the small effort required to establish your credibility and trustworthiness with the LinkedIn community.
What should I do if my verification gets denied?
If your initial verification request gets denied, first double check that you correctly entered all details like your name, ID number, and photo/scan of the card. Any small errors in this information can cause LinkedIn to deny verification.
Next, confirm that the name on your account exactly matches your government ID. Even small differences like an extra middle name, maiden name vs married name, etc. will result in a failed verification. You’ll need to update your name to match your ID.
Make sure your ID meets LinkedIn’s requirements – it must be an accepted type of government ID, currently valid and not expired, and have your photo, name and birthdate. If your ID is expired or doesn’t meet requirements, you’ll need to renew it or use a different type of ID.
Finally, try resubmitting your verification request with corrected information and a high quality, legible image of your ID. You can attempt verification again after 30 days. If it continues to get denied, you may need to reach out to LinkedIn’s support team for assistance investigating the issue.
What are some common verification issues I might encounter?
Here are some of the most common issues that can prevent successful verification on LinkedIn:
- Name mismatch – The name on your profile doesn’t match your government ID due to things like maiden name, spelling errors, etc.
- Blurry ID photo – The image or scan you upload is blurry, cropped, or illegible.
- Incorrect ID info entered – Mistyping your name, ID number, expiration date, or other details from your ID card.
- ID expired or not accepted – Using an expired ID or a document type LinkedIn doesn’t accept.
- Attempting too soon after denial – Trying to re-verify before 30 days have passed since previous denial.
- Too many attempts – After several failed tries, your account can get locked for verification attempts.
Avoiding these common pitfalls can help make sure your verification goes through smoothly. Double check all entered info, use a quality ID photo, and only submit currently valid IDs that LinkedIn accepts. Also, don’t re-attempt too soon after previous denials.
Conclusion
Verifying your LinkedIn account is a quick and easy process that provides immense value. It establishes legitimacy and trustworthiness of your profile, boosting your personal brand and credibility.
To get that coveted blue verified badge, simply prepare a currently valid government-issued ID, enter the details correctly into LinkedIn, and upload a clear photo or scan of your card. Avoid common mistakes like name mismatches or blurry images.
With a verified account, you can showcase your authenticity, build connections more easily, get access to special features, and take your LinkedIn presence to the next level.