Short answer
Google Ads asks for government-issued photo ID for individuals and, for organizations, registration documents and the authorized representative’s photo ID. Documents must be valid, in color, clear and not photocopies or screenshots, and their details must exactly match your payments profile. Accepted document types depend on your country, so check Google’s document requirements page for your region.
Key takeaways
- Accepted documents are country-specific.
- Names must match your payments profile exactly, including the organization name.
- Use original photos or scans; no photocopies or screenshots.
- Google lists unverifiable documents, name mismatches and unsupported document types as common failure reasons.
General rules for every document
Google’s document requirements say an ID must be:
- valid, not expired;
- in color, not black and white;
- clear and well lit;
- not a photocopy or a screenshot.
Google’s help on verification issues adds that files should be original photos or scans in PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG format, with all details legible and without glare or blur. Proof of address documents must have been issued within the last 90 days.
What Google says
Google says the details in submitted documents must exactly match your payments profile information, including the organization name where applicable.
Documents for individuals
Individuals submit a government-issued photo ID from the list for their country. Depending on your account, you may also confirm your phone number and take a video selfie; in the United States, Google may ask you to confirm your Social Security number.
Documents for organizations
Organizations may need two types of document: a registration document for the organization and a government-issued photo ID for the authorized representative. Google may also ask for Dun & Bradstreet information and confirmation of your affiliation with the organization.
Example: documents listed for India
Google publishes country versions of its document requirements. The India version we reviewed lists, among others:
| Type | Examples listed for India |
|---|---|
| Individual photo ID | Indian passport, driving license, voter ID, PAN card |
| Organization registration | Certificate of Incorporation, GST certificate, Udyam (MSME) registration certificate, Memorandum or Articles of Association, partnership deed registration, trust deed, registration of society, Corporate Identification Number (CIN), official letter for government departments |
| Representative’s photo ID | Passport, identification card, driving license, permanent residence card |
Our interpretation
This list is from the India version of Google’s page and may change. Advertisers in other countries see a different list. Always use the list Google shows for your country and account.
Documents for government service advertisers
Advertiser verification documents prove who you are (see verification for government service advertisers). They are not evidence of government authorization. For certification as an authorized provider, Google requires a link and explicit reference on an official government website; a business registration or license submitted in verification does not replace that.
Before you upload
- Compare the legal name on the document with the payments profile, character by character.
- Check the document is current and the address is up to date.
- Photograph the whole document on a plain surface in good light.
- Use the document type Google lists for your country, not a similar one.
Want your documents and account details checked for consistency before you submit?
Which documents apply to your account type?
| Account type | Documents you may be asked for |
|---|---|
| Individual | Government-issued photo ID; personal information that matches the payments profile |
| Organization | Registration document for the organization; photo ID of the authorized representative; possibly Dun & Bradstreet information |
| Agency | Agency information and the client’s information, depending on who completes the tasks |
Frequent document mistakes
- Uploading the front side only of an ID that has details on the back.
- Cropping the document so edges or numbers are cut off.
- Using a document type that is valid in your country but not on Google’s list for it.
- Submitting an old utility bill as proof of address (Google says it must be issued within the last 90 days).
Our interpretation
The first two points are practical recommendations for clear images. Follow the specific instructions shown in your account for each task.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit a scanned black-and-white copy?
No. Google requires color images and says the submission should not be a photocopy.
My company changed its name. Which name do I use?
The current legal name, and update your payments profile to match before you submit.
Do I need to upload my government authorization in verification?
Not normally. Authorization belongs to the certification application. Follow the tasks your account shows.
Related guides
- Google Ads advertiser verification (main guide)
- Advertiser verification failed: common reasons
- Verification checklist
Official sources
Google updates its policies and help pages. We last checked these sources on 7 October 2026. If this article and Google’s documentation differ, Google’s documentation applies.
