KDP Identity Verification: How to Pass It Safely (and Fix Common Errors)

You sign in to Kindle Direct Publishing and see a banner at the top of the page: "Identity verification required." Or you keep reading about authors stuck with rejected photos or a restricted account. Identity checks are now part of publishing on Amazon, and the good news is that most problems come from a handful of avoidable mistakes. This guide walks through what KDP asks for, how to complete the check safely, how to fix the most common errors, and what to do if it does not go to plan.

What KDP is asking for, and why

KDP's help page on verifying your identity says it may ask you to prove who you are to make sure an account is genuine and to protect authors, publishers and readers from fraud. When it is required, you submit a government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver's license, and you may also be asked to take a selfie. KDP says the selfie is not used for biometric identification.

A few points from the help pages are worth knowing before you start:

• The banner is the signal. If verification is needed, you will see "Identity verification required" at the top of the page after you sign in. KDP says that if you do not see the banner, verification is not required for your account right now.
• It can happen more than once. KDP may ask you to verify during account setup, when extra checks are needed, or again later. Changing the details in the Your Identity section can also trigger a new check.
• Publishing is restricted until you finish. While a request is open, access to KDP's publishing features is restricted. If you do not complete the check in the time given, or you do not pass, KDP says it may restrict your publishing features or close your account.
• It is usually quick. After you submit, an "Identity verification in progress" banner appears, and KDP says processing typically takes about 30 seconds.

KDP updates these pages, so read the current versions of Verify your identity, Taking photos of your ID, Accepted IDs for identity verification and Troubleshoot identity verification errors in the KDP Help Center before you begin.

Step 1: Make sure the request is real

Any time a platform asks people for ID photos, scammers copy the message. Before you do anything, protect yourself:

• Type the address yourself. Open your browser and go to kdp.amazon.com directly. Do not click a link in an email, text, direct message or social media comment.
• Look for the banner inside your account. If the banner is there, the request is real. If you were told to verify but see no banner, KDP suggests checking that you are signed in to the right account with the right email address.
• Never share your password or ID with anyone who contacts you. KDP's page on account security and avoiding scams explains that it only asks for sensitive details such as passwords or bank information inside your Amazon, KDP or Author Central account, not by email or social media.
• Turn on two-step verification for your Amazon account, and check that your sign-in email and phone number are current.

This matters even if you work with a publishing team. Your KDP account belongs to you, and the identity check is about you, the account holder. A legitimate service can help you prepare files, metadata and listings, but it should never need your password or photos of your passport. When we provide Amazon KDP publishing support, books are published under the author's own account, and the author keeps full ownership of it.

Step 2: Match your account to your ID before you click Verify

Most failed attempts come from a mismatch between the account and the document. KDP's troubleshooting page is very specific here, so fix this first.

1. Open Your Identity. Sign in, go to Your Account, then Your Identity.
2. Check your name character by character. The name must exactly match the name on your ID, including the written language. Middle names, hyphens, apostrophes, spaces and accents are where mismatches hide. If your passport says "Mary-Anne O'Neill", do not enter "Maryanne ONeill".
3. Check the country. The country in Your Identity must match the country that issued your ID. KDP gives the example of someone with a Canadian ID who lives in Mexico: they should enter their Canadian address in the ID address field for this check.
4. Leave tax and bank details alone. KDP notes that identity verification is separate. Your tax information should still match your tax forms, and your bank details in Getting Paid should still match your bank account.
5. Save your changes, then click Verify identity.

Two special cases are covered on the help pages. If you publish as a company, such as an LLC or an agency, you enter the details and ID of an authorised representative of the business. If your legal name or address changed recently and your ID has not been updated yet, KDP has a separate help page for that situation, so read it before you submit anything.

Step 3: Choose an ID KDP accepts

KDP mainly accepts passports, driver's licenses and residency permits, but the list varies by country, so check the Accepted IDs for identity verification page for where you live. KDP also says it does not accept military IDs, school badges, pay stubs, tax documents or utility bills, and that digital IDs and paper IDs of any kind (including printouts and photocopies) cannot be processed. Use a physical, unexpired card or passport.

Pick the ID type in the form that matches the document in your hand. One common error is choosing "passport" and then photographing a driver's license.

Step 4: Take photos that pass the first time

KDP recommends using a phone or tablet. If you start on a computer, you can choose Continue on another device and scan a QR code or receive a secure link to switch to your phone. The help page on taking photos of your ID gives clear tips:

• Use plenty of natural daylight instead of a camera flash.
• Hold the camera directly above the ID, with all four corners visible and no shadow across the details.
• Get close enough that the name, ID number and barcodes are readable, but not so close that the card is cropped.
• Take separate photos of the front and the back. Many IDs need both, and a missing back photo is one of the listed errors.
• Keep other objects out of the frame.
• If the verification page cannot open your camera, allow camera access in your browser settings.

If one ID keeps producing glare or blur, KDP suggests that it is sometimes easier to use a different accepted ID.

Step 5: Take the selfie and submit

When prompted, position your face in the frame and follow the on-screen instructions, then click Submit. Use the same good light you used for the ID photos, remove anything that hides your face, and hold the phone steady.

Common errors and how to fix them

These are the main messages listed on KDP's troubleshooting page, with the fix for each:

• "You need to use an ID that matches your KDP registered address." The country in Your Identity does not match the country on your ID. Update the account, save, and try again.
• "Name Mismatch." The name in Your Identity does not exactly match the ID. Correct it, including spacing, punctuation and script.
• Wrong ID type. You selected one type of document and photographed another. Choose the correct type.
• Expired ID. Use a different ID that has not expired.
• "Make sure the ID is in focus and the barcode is visible." Retake the photo with the whole card, including the barcode, in sharp focus.
• "Back of ID photo required." Photograph both sides before you submit.

Read each error carefully before trying again. If you reach the limit for attempts, KDP says the Your Identity section is temporarily locked for 72 hours.

If verification fails or your account is restricted

Stay calm and work through the official route:

1. Read the message in your account and any email, and confirm it really came from KDP by checking for the same notice inside your dashboard.
2. Contact KDP support through the Help Center, using the Contact Us option while signed in. Describe the exact error you saw and what you have already checked. If you need accessibility help to take the photos, say so.
3. Send only what KDP asks for, only through your account or the official support channel.
4. Do not open a second account to get around a restriction. Follow the instructions in any notice you receive instead.
5. Keep records of dates, error messages and case numbers.

Do not pay anyone who promises to "unlock" an account. Only KDP can make that decision.

Plan your launch around it

Because publishing features are restricted until verification is complete, do not leave it until launch week. If the banner appears, deal with it the same day. Meanwhile, get a properly formatted interior, cover, description and keywords ready. Our step-by-step guide on how to self-publish a book on Amazon KDP covers the rest of the setup, and our article on KDP AI disclosure rules explains another question you will answer when you publish.

Frequently asked questions

Is the KDP identity verification request a scam?

The request itself is real, but scammers copy it. Only act on it if you see the "Identity verification required" banner after typing kdp.amazon.com into your browser and signing in yourself.

Can I use a digital ID or a photocopy?

No. KDP says digital IDs and paper IDs, including printed or copied documents, cannot be processed. Use a physical, unexpired ID from the accepted list for your country.

What happens if I fail too many times?

The Your Identity section is temporarily locked, and KDP asks you to wait 72 hours before trying again.

Can a publishing service verify my identity for me?

No. The check is about the account holder, so you complete it yourself. A service can help with everything around it, but never needs your password or ID photos.

Get help with everything else

Verification is yours to complete, but you do not have to handle the rest of publishing alone. We have published 500+ books, and our services start from $200, covering writing, editing, formatting, covers, KDP setup and book marketing. Book a free consultation or call us at +1 205-301-7751 to talk through your book. There is no obligation.