Short answer
There is no single list of requirements. Google’s requirements depend on which certification option you choose: government provider, authorized non-government provider, regional or business exclusion, or not in scope. All applicants complete Google’s certification form and, apart from government providers, complete advertiser verification. Authorized providers face the strictest requirements since 5 October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Every option starts with Google’s certification form and a domain.
- Authorized providers need a link from an official government website that explicitly names them as authorized for the specific document or service.
- Authorized providers may only promote that document or service, and only in the authorized regions (with three transnational exceptions).
- The business details you give in the form must match your advertiser verification.
- Certification never replaces the other Google Ads policies.
Requirements that apply to every applicant
Whatever option you choose, Google’s certification form asks for:
- the domain or domains you will use in your ads;
- contact details, the end customer company name, a login email and your Google Ads customer ID;
- a copy of your supporting documentation;
- an acknowledgement that the information you provide is true and correct.
The form also asks you not to submit multiple requests for the same domain. Requests made in a hurry and then repeated tend to cause confusion, so prepare everything before you start.
Requirements by certification option
| Option | Who it is for | What Google asks for | Advertiser verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government provider | Federal, state or local government bodies | The government domain(s) used for the ads | Not required as Step 2 |
| Authorized provider | Non-government organizations explicitly authorized by a government | Authorized domain(s) and the official government website that links to the domain and references it as authorized | Required |
| Regional or business exclusion | Advertisers in a region or business type Google lists as excluded for a category | The domain, the category and the excluded region or business | Required |
| Not in scope | Advertisers who believe they do not promote government documents or services | The domain(s) with disapproved ads, a business description, the reason for targeting related keywords, and a warranty | Required |
Our interpretation
The “not in scope” option includes a warranty that none of your ads will promote government documents and services. Only choose it if that is true for your whole account, not just for one campaign.
Authorized provider requirements in detail
Since the update Google enforced on 5 October 2026, an authorized provider must meet three criteria:
- Domain authorization. Your domain is linked from an official, publicly accessible government website and explicitly referenced there as authorized for the specific document or service.
- Service scope. Your domain promotes only the document or service that the authorization covers.
- Geographic targeting. Your ads target only the regions that match the authorization. Electronic travel visas and authorizations, border entrance travel documents and U.S.-based Trusted Traveler programs are treated as transnational and are exceptions.
What Google says
Google gives government-managed directories of accredited commercial partners and official regulatory portals that list qualified specialists as examples of valid authorization. It lists commercial contracts, business or trade licenses, entries on business registries, and articles or blog posts (even on government-owned websites) as examples that do not count.
These examples are not exhaustive. We explain how to assess your own evidence in government authorization for Google Ads and the full criteria in authorized provider requirements.
Advertiser verification requirements
For most applicants, Step 2 is advertiser verification. Google states that the information you provide in Step 2 must match the information in Step 1. In verification you may be asked to confirm your organization, business operations, payment details and identity documents, depending on your account type.
Practical recommendation
Use exactly the same legal name, address and domains in the certification form, your Google Ads payments profile and your website footer. Small differences, such as an abbreviation or an old address, are a common reason for delays.
Ongoing requirements after approval
- Your ads and landing pages must keep complying with all Google Ads policies, including Misleading representation.
- Unless you are certified as a government provider, Google shows a “Not a government website” disclosure on your Search ads for these services.
- If your authorization changes, for example it expires or is narrowed to fewer services or regions, your ads must follow the new scope.
- Google can deny or revoke certification at any time if your domain violates its policies.
Requirements that are often missed
In practice, these points cause many problems. This is our practical view, not an official Google list:
- The government page mentions the company but does not link to the exact domain used in the ads.
- The authorization covers one service, while the website sells several.
- Campaigns target all countries although the authorization covers one country.
- The landing page does not clearly state that the business is private and charges its own fee.
- The legal name in the form differs from the name on the verification documents.
Want an independent check of your setup against these requirements?
Requirements for agencies and resellers
Agencies often apply on behalf of clients. Google’s form asks for the end customer company name and the Google Ads customer ID, so the application should describe the client, not the agency. In practice:
- the authorization, exclusion or government status must belong to the client;
- the domains must be the client’s domains used in the ads;
- advertiser verification details must be the client’s legal details, even if the agency completes some tasks.
Resellers and affiliates that send users to another company’s service should be careful: Google’s advertiser verification help says it may ask who provides the service to the end customer and for documentation proving the relationship.
What to keep on file
- the date and copy of your certification request;
- a dated screenshot of the government page that authorizes you, if applicable;
- your verification confirmations;
- a record of the domains and regions covered.
These records help when your website, authorization or team changes, and when you need to explain your setup to Google support.
Frequently asked questions
Do government providers need advertiser verification for certification?
Google’s policy says government providers do not need to complete advertiser verification as Step 2 of this certification.
Is a business license enough to qualify as an authorized provider?
No. Google explicitly lists business and trade licenses as examples that do not count as government authorization.
Is there a fee for certification?
The Google documentation we reviewed does not mention a certification fee. Check the current form before applying.
What documents should I attach to the form?
Google’s form asks for a copy of your documentation without listing specific files. Attach evidence that supports the option you choose, for example the authorization details for authorized providers. See our application guide.
Related guides
- Google Ads government certification (main guide)
- Which certification option fits your business
- 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.
