Verify your identity

Verify your identity

Important: As of June 15th, 2021, you can no longer:

  • Send, request, receive, claim, or withdraw money or find past transactions with pay.google.com or the old Google Pay app Google Pay.
  • Any pending transactions from the old Google Pay app should be expired.

To access the money you have in your Google Pay balance, you have two options:

  1. You can download the new Google Pay app and sign in with the account that has an existing balance. Your money will carry over to the new app. You can transfer your money out of the new Google Pay app at any time. Learn how to transfer money out.
  2. If you choose not to move over to the new Google Pay app and would like to withdraw your remaining balance, contact us for help

If you want to send, receive or request money, download the new Google Pay app .

For certain kinds of transactions with your Google payments profile or Google Play, we might need to verify your identity with information such as your name, address, or date of birth. You might also need to provide us with an image of your ID or proof of address.

How to submit documents

Follow the instructions in the email you received to verify your identity. Make sure your documents:

  • Use the same first and last name as in the form and in your profile
  • Aren’t expired
  • Are clearly legible

Make sure any image you upload:

  • Is an image of a document and not anything else
  • Is readable
  • Is in color and not black and white
  • Doesn’t have blur, glare, or dim lighting
  • Shows the full document with all 4 corners

Can’t find the email

  1. Go to pay.google.com.
  2. At the top, select Alerts Alert.
  3. Select Verify now.
  4. To verify your identity, follow the on-screen instructions.

Why we might ask you to verify

Some reasons we might ask you to verify include:

  • We saw a suspicious transaction in your payments profile.
  • We need to verify the information associated with the account.
  • We need more information to comply with EU law (European customers only).

Important: If we ask you to verify your account, any pending transactions will be canceled. Pending charges on your bank statement will disappear within 14 business days.

Notifications to verify your identity

If you get one of these messages, you’ll need to verify your identity.

  • “Your transaction cannot be completed. To proceed, please submit the required documents by completing this form.”
  • “Your payments profile is currently suspended for violations of Google Payments’ Terms of Service. Learn more.”
  • “Your payments profile is currently suspended because some information on your account couldn’t be verified.”

Follow the instructions included with the message to verify your identity.

How we use your information

Google uses this information to confirm that it’s you and protect you from fraud. Your personal information and any documents you submit will be added to your payments profile. Your personal information and documents will be stored securely and treated in accordance with the Google Privacy Policy and the Google Payments Privacy Notice where applicable. The verification process won’t affect your credit score or credit rating.

Fix verification problems

If you received an email or got an error message when you signed into the Google payments center, follow the instructions in the message to resolve the issue. After we review your information, we’ll contact you.

Failed verification

If you failed verification, you’ll receive an email shortly after the decision. To appeal the decision, follow the instructions in the email.

For more help, contact us.

References

Questions and answers

Helpful product questions tied to this manual. Each item links to the full Q&A page.

Questions & Answers

Use this section to ask about setup, compatibility, troubleshooting, or anything missing from this manual.

  1. I am 79 yrs old & don’t know how to take pictures of ID, documents etc to verify my identity. U asked this of me as my google account was closed due to fraudulent activity u said. Is there an easier way for me to verify my identity? I certainly didn’t do all this when I signed up in the beginning.

    Norma Bagley asks I am 79 yrs old & don’t know how to take pictures of ID, documents etc to verify my identity. U asked this of me as my google account was closed due to fraudulent activity u said. Is there an easier way for me to verify my identity? I certainly didn’t do all this when I signed up in the beginning.
    Manuals+ clarified question
    Question

    How can I verify my identity for my Google account without taking pictures of my ID, and is there an easier way to resolve a suspension due to fraudulent activity?

    Answer

    I understand that taking and uploading digital photos of documents can be difficult. Because Google uses these documents to protect your account from fraud and comply with security regulations, providing a clear image of a government-issued ID is usually a required step for automated verification.

    If you are unable to complete the photo upload process, here are the recommended steps to find assistance:

    • Check for Alerts: Sign in to pay.google.com. Look for a bell icon or an Alerts section at the top of the page. If there is a "Verify now" button, it may provide the specific form you need to fill out.
    • Contact Support Directly: Since your account was closed due to suspected fraudulent activity, you may need manual intervention. You can visit the Google Pay Help Center to request a chat or email support session. A representative may be able to provide alternative guidance if you cannot use the standard upload tool.
    • Document Requirements: If you do find someone to help you take the photo, ensure the ID is in color, not expired, and that all four corners of the document are visible in the frame.

    Please note that Manuals+ is not affiliated with Google; we provide instructional guides based on their public documentation. For security reasons, only Google's official support team can reactivate a suspended account.

  2. I want start using my account purchased and buy through Google payment methods

    Sanusi Rabiu asks I want start using my account purchased and buy through Google payment methods
    Manuals+ clarified question
    Question

    How do I set up and use Google payment methods for my account?

    Answer

    To start using your account for purchases through Google payment methods, you must first add a valid payment method to your Google profile. Follow these steps:

    • Add a Payment Method: Go to pay.google.com or open the Google Pay app. Sign in with your account, select "Payment methods," and then "Add payment method." Enter your card or account details as prompted.
    • Verify Your Identity: Because you are using a new account, Google may require you to verify your identity before you can make purchases. Check for an "Alerts" notification at the top of the Google Pay website or look for an email from Google. You may need to upload a clear, color photo of a government-issued ID.
    • Check for Suspensions: If you see a message stating your "payments profile is currently suspended," follow the on-screen instructions to submit the required documentation to reactivate it.
    • Autofill: Once your card is saved, it will automatically appear as an option when you check out on Android devices or through the Chrome browser.

    If you encounter specific errors during the setup, ensure that the name and address in your Google Payment Profile settings exactly match the information on file with your bank.

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