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Google Ads Government Verification Checklist

Work through these checks before you start Google Ads government certification or advertiser verification. Tick items as you go: your progress is saved only in your browser, and you can print the list or save it as a PDF.

By Mathew D'Souza, Google Ads SpecialistLast reviewed 7 October 2026

Independent preparation checklist based on current publicly available Google Ads policy and verification documentation. It is not Google’s official checklist.

Requirements can vary depending on your account, business type, location and the specific verification or certification process.

Business information

The legal name of the business is written the same way everywhere you will use it.
You know which legal entity will apply for certification and pay for the ads.
The registered business address is current.

Domain information

You have a list of every domain and subdomain that will be used in your ads.
Each domain shows the same business name and contact details.
Authorized providers: the domain in your ads is the exact domain linked from the government website.

Advertiser information

You know whether the account verifies as an individual, an organization or through an agency.
The person completing verification can confirm their affiliation with the organization if Google asks (for example by SMS or email code).
Organizations: you have, or can obtain, a D-U-N-S number if Google requests one.

Government relationship

You know which route applies to you: government provider, authorized provider, regional or business exclusion, or out of scope.
You have checked that your document or service category is on Google's covered list, and whether an exclusion applies.
Nothing on your website or ads suggests you are a government body if you are not.

Authorization evidence (authorized providers)

You can point to the official, publicly accessible government web page that links to your domain.
That page explicitly references you as authorized for the specific document or service.
You are not relying on evidence Google says does not count: commercial contracts, business licenses, business registry entries, or government-hosted articles or blogs.
You know exactly which regions your authorization covers.

Account information

You have your Google Ads customer ID ready (the certification form asks for it).
Your campaigns target only the regions covered by your authorization, unless the service is inherently transnational.
You have checked your account and email for verification or certification requests and their deadlines.

Payment profile

The name and address in your payments profile match your documents exactly.
You can access the payment method if Google asks you to confirm a temporary verification charge.
You know who funds the ads if it is not the account owner.

Documentation

Documents are valid and not expired.
Images are in color, clear and well lit, and are not photocopies or screenshots.
Your document types are supported for your country and account type on Google's document requirements page.

Website and landing page

Your landing page states clearly what service you provide and who provides it.
Contact information is visible and matches your business identity.
Your site promotes only the services you are allowed to advertise.

Policies and disclosures

Terms, privacy policy and refund or cancellation information are published and easy to find.
Fees are clear before payment, and it is clear which fees are yours and which are official government fees (our recommendation).
If you are not a government body, your website says so clearly (our recommendation).

Consistency checks

Business name: identical on documents, payments profile, website and certification form.
Address: identical on documents and payments profile.
Domain: identical in ads, on the certification form and, for authorized providers, on the government page.

Final review

You have read Google's current policy page and the October 2026 update.
You will choose one certification option and submit one request per domain (Google asks advertisers not to submit multiple requests for the same domain).
You have noted the date you apply. Google says certification is typically reviewed within 10–12 business days.

Want a second pair of eyes? Explore Verification Support or read how government verification works.

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