AdSense Identity Verification: How to Pass Without Getting Stuck
You did it. You used our AdSense approval checker, fixed your site, and you've finally been approved. You started earning money. You watched your balance hit $10... $20... $50.
And then, disaster strikes.
A bright red bar appears at the top of your dashboard: "Your payments are currently on hold. Action is required to release the payment."
Welcome to the AdSense Identity Verification nightmare.
For many bloggers, this is scarier than the approval process. If you mess this up, you won't just get rejected—you'll have your payments frozen indefinitely. Here is precisely how to navigate the verification minefield in 2025.
Step 1: The "Name Match" Rule (Where Most Fail)
Before you upload a photo of your ID, stop. Look at your AdSense account settings.
Does the "Payee Name" in your AdSense profile match your Government ID exactly?
- ID Name: Rakibul Islam
- AdSense Name: Rakibul's Blog
- Result: FAILED.
Google needs to pay a human, not a blog. If you signed up as a "Business" but you don't have business registration documents, you are in trouble. You must change your account type to "Individual" or ensure the names match character for character.
Pro Tip: This is why we recommend using an AdSense approval checker during your site setup. A good audit checks your "Contact Us" and legal pages to ensure the persona you present to Google matches the legal reality.
Step 2: Taking the Perfect ID Photo
When Google asks you to upload documents for AdSense, do not use a scanner. Scanners often add weird glares.
Instead, take a photo with your phone. Follow these rules:
- All 4 Corners: The entire ID card must be visible. If you cut off a corner, the AI rejects it.
- No Flash: Glare on the laminate will cause an "Unreadable" error. Use natural daylight.
- High Contrast: Put your light-colored ID on a dark table (or vice versa).
If you get the dreaded "Google AdSense identity verification failed" email, do not just keep re-uploading the same photo. You have limited attempts. If you fail 3 times, the button disappears, and you have to contact support (which takes weeks).
Step 3: The Infamous PIN Letter
Once your ID is approved, Google mails a physical letter to your house. It contains a 6-digit PIN.
The Problem: The postal service in many countries (especially in South Asia and parts of Africa/LatAm) often loses these letters.
The Solution:
- Put Your Phone Number in Line 2: In your AdSense address line 2, write: "Near Central Mosque, Call: +88017..." This helps the postman find you.
- Wait 3 Weeks: You cannot request a replacement PIN for 3 weeks.
- The "3-Strike" Rule: You can request a new PIN up to three times. If the third one doesn't arrive after four months, a link will appear, allowing you to verify using your ID card or Bank Statement instead. Be patient. Do not panic.
Why Your "Contact Page" Matters
You might think your website content doesn't matter for payment verification, but it does.
Manual reviewers sometimes check your website to see if the "Payee" matches the "Author." If your AdSense account is named "John Smith" but your website's About page says "Created by The Tech Team," it looks suspicious.
This is another reason to use an AdSense approval checker before you reach this stage. It helps you align your site's identity with your legal identity, creating a consistent trust signal that prevents red flags during the payment review.
Summary: Don't Let $100 Trapped Forever
The AdSense PIN verification process can be frustrating and time-consuming.
- Ensure your Payee Name = ID Name.
- Take clear photos without flash.
- Add your phone number to your address field.
Get this right, and that red bar will vanish, turning into the best notification of all: "Payment issued."