How to confirm your account with Stripe Identity Verification

Stripe is our payment processing partner that facilitates beehiiv financial transactions and identity verification services. 

This process not only verifies your identity but also grants you access to API keys and the Boosts Marketplace.

You'll be prompted to complete Stripe Identity Verification when you attempt to:

• Generate or access API keys in Settings.
• Access the Boosts marketplace (Monetize or Grow Boosts).
• Set up the Ad Network or direct sponsorships.

The verification process is tied to your beehiiv account and only needs to be completed once.

1. Once prompted, a Stripe form will appear for a quick verification process that will take about 1 to 3 minutes. You’ll need to click Agree and continue, then follow the instructions presented. It will ask you to follow a QR code and then upload images of a valid ID. 
   
   
   
2. After completing the Stripe process, you’ll receive a confirmation on your screen.
    
3. Check your beehiiv account email for the Stripe verification message. Once you've confirmed your email and completed identity verification, you’ll have access to different parts of the platform, like Boosts and API access.

If your identity verification through Stripe was denied, there are several possible reasons this may have occurred, including:

• The document provided was expired.
• Stripe was unable to verify the identity document.
• The document did not include a clear facial image.
• The captured face image did not match the photo on the document.
• The selfie could not be verified by Stripe.
• The document type provided was not an accepted format.

To improve the chances of successful Stripe verification, make sure to:

• Use a valid, unexpired identity document.
• Complete the verification in a well-lit area to ensure clear photo quality.
• Double-check that your document type is accepted by Stripe in your region.

For a complete list of accepted identity documents by country, please refer to Stripe’s documentation on verification documents.

The verification process asks you to follow a QR code and then upload images of a valid ID. If the QR code appears blurry or won't scan properly:

• Adjust screen brightness: Increase the brightness on the device displaying the QR code to improve contrast and clarity.
• Use a different device: If viewing the QR code on a laptop or desktop, try opening the verification flow on a tablet or second mobile device where the QR code may display more clearly.
• Reduce screen glare: Avoid overhead lighting that creates glare on the screen; angle your display to minimize reflections.
• Clean your phone camera: Wipe your phone's camera lens to ensure nothing is obstructing the scan.
• Maintain proper distance: Hold your phone 6–12 inches from the screen for optimal scanning.

If you've completed Stripe Identity Verification but your account still prompts you to verify, or API access remains unavailable:

1. Check your email: Check your beehiiv account email for the Stripe verification message. You may need to confirm your email address to complete the process.
2. Clear browser cache: Log out of beehiiv, clear your browser cache and cookies, then log back in.
3. Wait a few minutes: Verification status updates may take a few minutes to sync across the platform.
4. Try a different browser: Switch to a different browser or use an incognito/private window to rule out browser-specific caching issues.

If verification still doesn't persist after trying these steps, please use the chatbot to help you reach out to beehiiv support, or access the Help page in your account.