LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 750 million members worldwide. As a platform built around establishing professional connections and credibility, LinkedIn aims to ensure its members are who they say they are. That’s why ID verification is an important part of the LinkedIn experience.
When you first create a LinkedIn profile, you don’t need to verify your identity right away. However, there are certain actions on LinkedIn that do require ID verification before you can complete them, such as applying for certain jobs. Additionally, having a verified ID adds credibility to your profile and can open up more opportunities on the platform.
So how long does it actually take for LinkedIn to verify your ID? The answer depends on a few key factors. In this article, we’ll break down the LinkedIn ID verification process step-by-step and discuss the main elements that influence the timing.
The LinkedIn ID Verification Process
Here are the key steps LinkedIn takes to verify member identities:
1. Request Submission
The process starts when you request ID verification through your account settings. You’ll be prompted to submit details like your name, address, date of birth, and a photo ID. This photo ID can be a driver’s license, passport, national ID card, or other government-issued ID.
2. Initial Review
Once you submit your documentation, LinkedIn conducts an initial review. They check that the name, photo, and other details match up across your LinkedIn profile and ID document.
3. Authentication
If your documentation passes the initial review, LinkedIn then moves to the authentication step. Here they use technology and human reviews to further validate the authenticity of your ID document.
4. Confirmation
The final step is confirmation. If LinkedIn verifies your identity based on the documentation provided, your account will be confirmed as verified. You’ll see a blue verification badge on your profile to indicate your ID has been authenticated.
Main Factors that Impact Timing
While the process itself is straightforward, how long it takes to become ID verified on LinkedIn can vary anywhere from 24 hours to 10 business days. Here are the primary factors that influence the timing:
Quality of Documentation
The clearer your documentation, the faster LinkedIn can process it. Blurry photos and illegible documents will slow things down. Make sure you provide a high-quality, color photo where your face and ID details are clearly visible.
Type of Documentation
Government-issued photo IDs like passports and driver’s licenses are verified fastest, as LinkedIn is very familiar with authenticating them. More obscure types of documentation often take longer.
LinkedIn Capacity
LinkedIn’s capacity to handle verification requests fluctuates based on volume. During busy periods, verifications may take longer. Outside of high volume times, the process can be much faster.
Additional Screening
For accounts flagged as potentially risky, LinkedIn performs additional screening. This adds more time, as your documentation goes through further manual reviews and cross-checking.
Back and Forth Communication
If LinkedIn finds issues with your initial documentation, they’ll ask you to provide additional details or clarification. This back and forth lengthens the process. Submitting complete, clear documentation avoids delays.
Estimated Timelines
Taking these factors into account, here are the estimated timelines for LinkedIn ID verification:
Scenario | Estimated Timing |
---|---|
submitted high-quality passport photo during low volume period for standard account | 24-48 hours |
submitted blurry driver’s license photo during high volume period for standard account | 3-5 business days |
submitted high-quality photo ID but account identified as potentially risky | 5-10 business days |
submitted unclear documentation requiring back and forth communication | 10+ business days |
As shown in the table, verification time can range from as little as 24 hours to 10+ days depending on the specifics of your request. During standard circumstances, you can expect ID confirmation within 1-3 business days.
Speeding Up the Process
There are a few things you can do to help expedite LinkedIn identity verification:
– Provide a clear, high-quality photo of your government ID where details are easily readable. Poor quality docs slow things down.
– Double check that your personal details match exactly between your LinkedIn profile and ID document. Any mismatches will require clarification.
– Be responsive if LinkedIn requests any additional information from you. The sooner you respond, the faster verification can proceed.
– If possible, request ID verification during a low volume period. Late night and early morning tends to be less busy.
– Use a passport or national ID card if you have one, as these government IDs are easiest for LinkedIn to authenticate.
Status Update Options
Wondering about the status of your pending ID verification request? You have a couple options to check:
– On LinkedIn’s website, go to your account settings and look for any notification or update under the “Verifications” tab.
– On LinkedIn’s mobile app, go to your profile, open settings, and check the Verifications page – refresh to see if any update is available.
– You can also contact LinkedIn Customer Service directly and inquire about an update on your verification status.
If it’s been over 10 business days with no update, we recommend reaching out to LinkedIn support for assistance.
Conclusion
Getting ID verified on LinkedIn typically takes 1-3 business days during normal circumstances. The exact timing depends on factors like documentation quality, account risk level, and how responsive you are if LinkedIn requests additional information. To speed up the process, provide clear ID photos, match profile/ID details exactly, and respond promptly to any follow up inquiries from LinkedIn. With high-quality documentation, verification can be completed in as little as 24-48 hours in some cases.