To build trust, we may ask you to confirm your identity and your location. In most cases, we’ll be able to verify your identity within minutes. Learn more about identity verification here.
You will need to show two documents in order to verify your identity. Keep in mind, we may ask you to submit additional documents. In some cases, it may also be necessary to contact you for a live video call or to verify your phone number. The review process may take up to 48 hours.
If you’re asked to verify your identity, follow the link in the email you receive to begin the process. This is a secure and encrypted link that will remain active for 30 days. However, you will need to verify your identity within seven days or we will put a hold on your account.
Before you begin:
- Your Upwork profile picture and ID picture must both be of you (they don’t need to be the same photo)
- Your Upwork profile address must match your address as shown on your ID and statement
- Your Upwork verified name must match the name on your ID
Important:
When submitting, do not crop, rotate, touch up, adjust colors, or alter the images in any way. Your Upwork profile must match your verification information
Documents required
- Your current, valid government-issued photo ID
- This ID must include your picture, signature, name, date of birth, and address. An exception is passports, which don't need your address
- Acceptable documents include: passport, national ID card (NIC/CNIC), driver's license, NBI Clearance (the Philippines only), tribal documents, tax ID, voter ID, postal ID, or any other valid government-issued photo ID that meets these criteria
- For refugees and asylum seekers, we may accept the following documents:
- UNHCR-issued document
- Asylum Seeker Temporary Visa
- Asylum Seeker Certificate
- A recent billing statement
- Acceptable documents include: bank statements, credit card statements, utility bills, or any other monthly bill that meets the name, address, and date criteria below
- The statement must include your name and address, as well as the utility/bank address
The dates on your scanned statement must be within six months of the date you upload them - Your name on the statement must match both your verified name on Upwork and your government ID. Your account may be a joint account, but your name must be on the account and statement
- Your address must match the location information you entered on Upwork
Even when issued by a government agency, we can't accept documents such as student IDs, employee IDs, or library cards.
Image guidelines
Requirements for ID and statement images:
- Do not edit the image in any way
- We must be able to clearly see the front of your ID. If the expiration date is on the back of your photo ID, then you must also send us a scan of the back of the card
- Your name and address, and the utility company or bank address information, must be visible on the billing statement you submit
- All four corners of your ID/statement need to be visible in the image
- Images should be in color and at least 200 dpi
- Images should be a PNG, JPEG, PDF, or BMP file
- Take the photo from above, with the ID/statement lying on a flat surface
- Don’t use a flash
- Don’t cover up any part of the ID/statement
- Leave margins on all sides of the image
Location and ID mismatches
Generally, your profile location should match your physical location. But we understand that sometimes, you may be residing in one country with an ID from another country. If your profile location and your ID don’t match, we’ll automatically add another step to verify your location. This helps us prevent scams.
You can change your profile country to match your ID or upload a supplemental document that confirms you live in the country shown on your profile.
Our support teams will be in contact if additional information is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The process allows for periodic travel, so if we've been able to confirm you are in the U.S. you'll still be able to submit proposals for jobs where the client is requesting only U.S. freelancers, even if you travel. It will then be up to you and your client to determine whether your travel schedule affects your ability to meet their job requirements.
We understand you may have verified your identity in the past. We ask freelancers to re-verify because periodic checks ensure that their accounts continue to reflect accurate information. Our goal is to make this process as seamless as we can and we thank you for your contribution in keeping Upwork a professional and safe community.
We do not sell any of the identity verification information you share with us, and we process and retain your information according to Upwork’s Privacy Policy. Any ID documentation that you submit will be encrypted and securely processed.
