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What documents do I need for advertiser verification, and how long does it take?

Rokas Golcas · Updated

Organizations need a registration document, such as a certificate of incorporation, commercial register extract or IRS-issued letter, plus a photo ID of an authorized representative; individuals need a government-issued photo ID. Names must exactly match your payments profile. Google reviews each task in up to 5 business days, and in rare cases up to 30 days.

What you submit depends on whether you verify as an organization or an individual, and on your country. Google publishes a document list per country, and documents must match the country in your payments profile. Everyone also answers a few questions about the organization, who pays for the ads, and what you sell.

What do organizations and individuals need?

WhatOrganizationIndividual
Main documentA registration document showing the exact organization name, plus a government-issued photo ID of an authorized representativeA government-issued photo ID
US examplesA document issued or stamped by the IRS, a state certificate of incorporation, a recent SEC filing (10-K, 10-Q or 8-K), a business credit report from Experian, Equifax or TransUnionPassport, state ID, driver's license, permanent resident card
Lithuania (EU) examplesCertificate of incorporation or registration, extract from the commercial register, VAT registration certificatePassport, national ID card, driver's license or residence permit issued in the EEA or Switzerland
Other tasks Google may ask forDun & Bradstreet details, and a 6-digit code by SMS or email to confirm you're affiliated with the organizationA 6-digit code to confirm your phone number, a video selfie with your ID, and in the US your Social Security number

Some individuals must also send a second proof of address. On the US list that is a utility, phone or internet bill or a bank statement dated within the last 60 days, a lease or mortgage agreement, or a second government photo ID showing the address.

Agencies provide their own info and their client's, and can send the client's tasks to the client or complete them.

Why do documents get rejected?

Google's requirements and its list of document issues come down to four rules:

  • Valid and original. The ID must not be expired. Upload a clear, original photo or PDF of the physical document. Photocopies, screenshots, self-printed copies and digital IDs aren't accepted, and photos taken through third-party apps may not be.
  • Readable. In color, in focus and well lit. Submit the front and back separately when Google asks.
  • Matching. Your legal name, organization name and address must exactly match your payments profile.
  • Uploaded in Google Ads only. Google says not to send documents by email.

Google names an unverifiable document, a name mismatch and an unsupported document type as common reasons verification fails.

My advice: before you upload, compare your payments profile with the registration document letter by letter. If the names differ, fix the profile first. A sharp photo of a mismatched name still fails.

How long does it take?

Google says it can take up to 5 business days to review each task, and in rare cases up to 30 days. To start, open Admin in Google Ads, expand Policy, select Account and click Start task (as of November 2026).

A deadline, if Google gave you one, can't be extended, and missing it pauses the account: see what happens if you don't complete verification. If you're verifying to appeal a suspension, you get 3 attempts, so get the documents right the first time.

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