How to Verify Identity on Venmo: Step-by-Step Guide (with Photos)

Many people think of Venmo as a peer-to-peer app where simple money transactions can be made with people you know. Reimbursing your friends for the concert, chipping in for your coworker’s retirement gift, or paying the babysitter to watch the kids while you go on date night all became easier thanks to this handy app.

You might be surprised to learn that Venmo can also be a powerful financial management tool.  Did you know that you can make purchases from authorized Venmo partners, receive direct deposits into your Venmo account, and even buy and sell crypto?

If any of these more advanced financial services interest you, you’ll want to make sure your money is as safe as possible. This means it might be a good idea for you to learn how to verify your identity on Venmo.

Here’s an easy step-by-step guide, complete with pictures to show you the way. Let’s get started!

How to Verify Your Identity on Venmo

1. Go to the Me tab at the bottom left-hand corner.

2. Click on Settings, denoted by the gear icon, located in the top right corner of the screen.

3. Tap Identity Verification located in the subsection labeled Security.

After that, Venmo’s automated ID verification process will take care of the rest.

Venmo Just Emailed Me About Verification. Now What?

Sometimes, the automated ID verification process doesn’t work the way it should. This could be for any number of reasons including the information required to verify your identification not being available, or something as simple as a recent name or address change. In these rare cases, Venmo will email you directly and ask for additional documentation in order to verify your identity.

Documentation to Verify Identity on Venmo

Acceptable documentation varies depending on what Venmo needs to verify. They may need to verify your name, your address, or your taxpayer status. 

Name and Date of Birth Verification

If the documentation required should include information about your name and date of birth, the following are documents that Venmo will accept. Acceptable documents in this category include but are not limited to:

• A valid U.S. passport
• A valid state-issued driver’s license
• Valid U.S. government-issued ID
• A DHS (Department of Homeland Security) card such as your Social Security card
• Your Tribal ID card 

When sending a name/birth verification, make sure that the document is not expired. Also, be sure the picture you send is clear and that all visible wording is legible.

Proof of Address Verification

Sometimes, Venmo will require verification of your address. This verification may be requested on its own, or in addition to your name and date of birth. The following documents are acceptable forms of address verification:

• A utility bill from the past 12 months (electric, gas, cable, internet provider, or cell phone)
• A credit card, bank, or 401K statement from the past 12 months
• Your lease for residence dated in the past 12 months
• A paystub, W2, or W9 from the past 12 months
• An IRS letter dated in the past 12 months
• Your current car registration dated in the past 12 months
• If issued to you within the last 12 months, the following documents are also acceptable:
  • Unexpired driver’s license with current address
  • Unexpired U.S. government-issued ID with current address

Just like name/birth verification, make sure the picture or scan of the document that you send is clear and that all visible wording within is legible.

Taxpayer Identification Verification

If Venmo asks you for information regarding your Social Security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), the following forms of documentation are acceptable:

• Your SSN card
• Your SSN/ITIN assignment letter
• An IRS letter dated in the past 12 months
• A W2 or paystub from the last 12 months, with a published SSN

As always, make sure the picture or scan of the document is clear and that all visible wording is legible.

Verify Identity on Venmo: Phone and Email Verification

During the sign-up process, whether a personal or business account, Venmo will require you to verify your phone number and email address. This process is crucial because Venmo will not send funds to an account with an unverified email address.

If you’re overwhelmed by this part of the process, worry not! We’re here to walk you through it.

Verify Your Phone Number

When you first sign up with Venmo, you will automatically be sent a text message containing a verification code. Simply enter the verification code into the Venmo app when you are prompted. The Venmo text message will come from the number, 86753.

Note: Some phones have spam filters that block any messages from short numbers. If this is an issue for you, try getting Venmo to resend the verification code by clicking Resend Code.

You can also try logging into your Venmo account via a computer. Doing this will require an SMS code and signing in with an SMS will automatically verify your phone number. 

Verify Your Email Address

If you change your email address (or when you first sign up with Venmo), a message will automatically be sent to that email address containing a link for verification. As soon as you click the link, your email is verified. It’s as simple as that.

This should be done as soon as possible so that you can keep receiving payments. You can also verify multiple email addresses with Venmo just in case someone sends funds to an email address not associated with your Venmo account.

Wrapping Up

Verifying your identity with Venmo is a relatively simple process and shouldn’t take much time unless there are circumstances that make your personal situation a bit out of the ordinary. If you have any issues, try updating the app to ensure you have the most recent version. If that doesn’t work, you can also try deleting the app from your phone and then reinstalling it.

Failing all else, you can always contact Venmo’s Help Center for assistance. Most people, though, should be able to follow these few simple steps and quickly be on their way to peer-to-peer cash transactions as well as the many other various financial services Venmo offers.