Stripe want to confirm your identity
If you take payments online, there’s a good chance Stripe is working quietly in the background of your website. Lately Stripe has been asking businesses to confirm who they are and how they’re set up. This isn’t something to worry about — it’s a standard part of how any payment provider stays compliant with banking and anti-fraud regulations. But we know the wording in Stripe’s dashboard can look a bit official and even alarming if you’re not expecting it, so here’s a plain-English guide to what’s happening and what to do.
Why Stripe is asking
Payment providers like Stripe are legally required to verify the identity of the businesses using their platform, in the same way a bank verifies who it’s opening an account for. This is often called KYC (Know Your Customer). Stripe will periodically ask for:
- Confirmation of who owns or controls the business
- A verified business address
- Business and tax details
- Bank account information for payouts
You’ll usually see these requests under Settings > Business > Account status in your Stripe dashboard, listed as tasks with a deadline.
The 5 steps
1. Log in and check your Account status page
In your Stripe dashboard, go to Settings > Business > Account status. Any outstanding tasks will be listed under “Active,” along with a deadline and what happens if it’s missed (usually a pause on payouts, not a closure of your account).
2. Read what’s actually being asked
Tasks are usually one of a few things: confirming beneficial owners or company owners (anyone who owns 25% or more of the business), confirming a business address or updating bank or tax details. Click “View details” on each task to see exactly what Stripe needs.
3. Gather your documents before you start
Depending on the task, you may need a form of photo ID, proof of address (a utility bill or bank statement), your company registration number, and VAT details. Having these ready before you begin the form makes it much quicker.
4. Complete the verification in one sitting
Stripe’s forms will time out or lose progress if left half-finished for too long. Set aside 10-15 minutes to complete each task fully rather than saving it for later.
5. Confirm and keep an eye on your dashboard
Once submitted, the task will move to “Information in review.” Stripe usually processes these within a few business days. If anything is rejected or needs more detail, you’ll see a notification in the dashboard, so it’s worth checking back rather than assuming it’s done.
IMPORTANT – You may need to complete these steps in a certain order – For example you cannot verify as a company owner unless you first verify you own identity with phone or email address.
The process should take less than 5 mins and you will get an email confirmation from Stripe when you are verified.
A quick note
If you’re ever unsure whether a request in your Stripe dashboard is genuine, always log in directly at stripe.com rather than clicking a link in an email. Stripe will never ask for your password or full card details by email and neither will Jascom Ltd.
