We first use a National Database to confirm your personal information or your business entity. However, sometimes finding your information using the National Database doesn’t work because the information is either unavailable, or your name or address has changed.
If we can’t verify your personal information, we will ask you to send us documents which confirm your identity via your PayPal account. Please see the guide below explaining what documents we can or cannot accept.
Proof of Identity
A proof of identity document must include information such as first and last name, date of birth, issue and expiration date, and document ID number. The name on this document must match the name you’ve registered with PayPal.
We accept copies of the following documents as proof of identity:
- Your ID card
- Your driver’s license (the plastic card, not the official letter)
- Your Passport
- Other photo ID issued by a government body
When you send the documents, please make sure that the following information is visible:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Issue and expiration dates
- Document ID number
We don’t accept the following documents:
- Military IDs
- State medical cards, student cards
- Expired, partial, or obscured documents
Note: If you’ve recently changed your name and your document doesn’t match with PayPal, we may ask for more documentation that shows the name change.
Proof of Address
A proof of address document confirms where you live. This document must show your full name and residential address. We can only confirm physical addresses, not PO Box addresses.
We accept copies of the following documents as proof of address:
- Utility bill (dated within last 12 months)
- Cell or landline phone bill (dated within last 12 months)
- Motor vehicle registration (dated within last 12 months)
- 401k/brokerage statement (dated within last 12 months)
- Copy of grant deed on home or lease agreement for home
- Bank or credit card statement (dated within last 12 months)
- Identity card or driver’s license with physical address listed (must be current)
We don’t accept the following documents:
- Envelopes
- Military IDs
- Invoices, receipts, all waybills
- Expired, partial, or obscured documents We don’t accept invoices or partial documents.
Proof of Social Security Number
This document confirms your business entity’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN). The business name on this document must match the full business name with PayPal.
We accept copies of the following documents:
- SSN card
- Letter from IRS assigning SSN or ITIN
- 1099 Form (dated within last 12 months)
- Employer-issued W2 (dated within last 12 months)
We don’t accept the following documents:
- Envelopes
- Self-completed applications
- Self-prepared tax documents
- Expired, partial, or obscured documents
- Paystub with complete SSN (dated within last 12 months)
- Third party prepared tax documents (dated within last 12 months, and signed by third-party preparer)
Note: If you don’t have any of these documents, you can go to your local Social Security Office and request a letter to confirm your SSN.
Proof of Business Identity
This document confirms your business entity’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN). The business name on this document must match the full business name with PayPal.
We accept copies of the following documents:
- Copy of IRS Letter assigning EIN/TIN
- Screen print of EIN/TIN assigned real-time during online application
- Previous year’s business tax return, prepared and signed by 3rd party preparer
- Current bank statement displaying truncated EIN/TIN (dated within last 12 months)
- Current credit card statement displaying truncated EIN/TIN (dated within last 12 months)
- Other government-issued documents displaying full business name and 9-digit EIN/TIN (dated within last 12 months)
We don’t accept the following documents:
- Self-completed applications
- Self-prepared tax documents
- Expired, partial or obscured documents
Proof of Business Address
The business address document confirms your business entity’s correspondence address. We can only confirm physical addresses, not PO Box addresses. All documents must be dated within the last 12 months.
We accept copies of the following documents:
- Current utility or phone bill
- Current insurance or tax statement
- Government-issued business license/permit
- Current Certificate of Good Standing (active status)
- Current bank statement displaying full business name
- Current credit card statement displaying full business name
- Other registration document filed with Secretary of State (for example: Certificate of Incorporation, Partnership Agreement, or comparable business registration document)
We don’t accept the following documents:
- Envelopes
- Invoices, receipts, all waybills
- Expired, partial, or obscured documents
Proof of Business Existence
The Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) issues this document to show a business entity has complied with the applicable provisions of the laws of the state, is in good standing, and is authorized to transact for business. The business name on this document must match the full business name with PayPal and be current.
We accept copies of the following documents:
- Government-issued business license/permit
- Current Certificate of Good Standing (active status)
- Other registration document filed with Secretary of State (for example: Certificate of Incorporation, Partnership Agreement, or comparable business registration document)
Note: All documents must be dated within the last 12 months.
