Short answer
For Google Ads, a “government document or service” is one that falls into a category on Google’s Government Documents and Services policy list, such as passports, birth or death certificates, driver licenses, vehicle registration, criminal background checks, business identifiers, regional identification numbers, electronic travel visas and authorizations, or residency lotteries. The policy applies when ads promote the direct acquisition of these documents or services.
Key takeaways
- Google’s list of categories defines the scope. Things outside the list are not covered by this policy.
- “Direct acquisition” means helping a user obtain, apply for, renew or pay for the document or service.
- Some categories have regional or business exclusions; three are transnational.
- Information about a document is different from offering to obtain it.
The covered categories
Google’s policy lists these categories. We summarize them here; the exact wording, examples and exclusions are on our policy reference page and in Google’s policy.
| Category | Examples (from Google’s policy) |
|---|---|
| Regional identification numbers | SSN (United States), PPS (Ireland), NIF/NIE (Spain) |
| Birth or death certificates | — |
| Name or address changes | Enrolled deed poll (United Kingdom) |
| Business identifiers | EIN (United States), CRN (United Kingdom), ABN (Australia) |
| Criminal background checks | DBS (United Kingdom), VOG (Netherlands), Führungszeugnis (Germany) |
| Health and welfare assistance programs | Community Services Card (New Zealand) |
| Unclaimed tax rebates | Specific intermittent rebates, not full tax assessments |
| Electronic travel visas and authorizations | ESTA/EVUS (United States), eTA (Canada) |
| Passports | Including renewal and expedited processing |
| Border entrance travel documents | eTravel Card (Philippines) |
| U.S.-based Trusted Traveler programs | Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST |
| Driver licenses | — |
| Public road access fees and passes | Tolls, congestion charges, ULEZ (United Kingdom), Crit’Air (France) |
| Vehicle owner registration | Registration and renewal, SORN and VED (United Kingdom), carte grise (France) |
| License plate numbers | — |
| Hunting or fishing licenses | — |
| Residency lotteries | DV/Green Card lottery (United States), Youth Mobility Scheme ballot (United Kingdom) |
What Google says
Some categories list regional or business exclusions, for example driving schools for driver licenses. Vignettes and e-vignettes are listed as an exception within public road access fees.
What “direct acquisition” means
The policy is about promoting the acquisition of these documents and services. In our interpretation, an ad is likely in scope when it invites users to:
- apply for, renew or replace a covered document;
- pay a fee connected to a covered service (for example a toll or registration fee);
- submit forms or personal data so that someone else can apply for them;
- buy “fast-track”, “expedited” or “processing” services for a covered document.
Grey areas
| Situation | Our interpretation |
|---|---|
| A blog explaining how to renew a passport, without ads selling renewal | Usually not direct acquisition, but keywords and ad text matter |
| Passport photo studio | Photos are not a listed category, but ads offering to “apply for your passport” would be in scope |
| Translation of a birth certificate | Translation is not obtaining the certificate; avoid wording that suggests you supply the certificate |
| Accounting firm that registers companies | Business identifiers are a listed category; check exclusions for your region |
| Driving school | Business exclusion for driver licenses applies; still apply for certification |
Our interpretation
These are our interpretations based on Google’s policy text. Google decides each case by looking at your ads, keywords and landing pages together. If your ads are restricted and you believe they are out of scope, the certification form has an option for that.
What is outside the policy?
New to the policy? Start with the policy explained in plain English.
Documents and services that are not on the list are not covered by this policy, although other Google Ads policies still apply. Examples might include general legal advice, tax return preparation (unclaimed tax rebates are a narrow category) or permits that do not fit a listed category. Check the list carefully, because category names are broad.
Not sure whether your service falls into a covered category?
A three-step test for your own offer
- Category: does what you offer match one of the listed categories? Read the category names broadly.
- Acquisition: do your ads or pages invite users to obtain, apply for, renew, pay for or process it through you?
- Exception: is there a regional or business exclusion for that category that matches you?
If the answers are yes, yes and no, you are likely in scope and need certification as a government or authorized provider. If the first or second answer is no, the policy may not apply, but check your keywords and ad text carefully. Our eligibility checker runs a similar test.
Frequently asked questions
Are visas covered?
Electronic travel visas and authorizations, and border entrance travel documents, are listed categories. They are also treated as transnational for geographic targeting.
Are tax services covered?
Only the narrow category of unclaimed tax rebates is listed, described as specific intermittent rebates rather than comprehensive tax assessments.
Do country examples mean the category only applies in that country?
No. Examples illustrate the category. Exclusions, where listed, are what make a regional difference.
Related guides
- Policy reference: full category table
- Government documents vs government services
- Government certification by country
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.
