X Identity Verification with Stripe: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Why X Requires Identity Verification

Before X pays you through Creator Revenue Sharing, they need to verify your identity. This is a legal requirement for financial services: when a company pays you money, they’re required to verify your identity under Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money-laundering (AML) regulations. X uses Stripe Identity, a service from the payments company Stripe, to handle this process securely.

This is the same identity verification process used by companies like Uber, Instacart, and Shopify for their payouts. Stripe is a PCI-compliant, SOC 2-certified payments infrastructure company — your identity documents are handled with bank-level security.

What You’ll Need

Before starting the verification process, have the following ready:

• A valid government-issued photo ID: passport, driver’s license, or national identity card. The document must not be expired.
• Your phone or webcam: you may need to take a selfie for facial matching depending on your region.
• Good lighting: poor lighting is the #1 cause of verification failures. Do this near a window or under bright indoor lights.
• A few minutes of uninterrupted time: the process typically takes 3–5 minutes if you have everything ready.

Step-by-Step: The Verification Process

Step 1: Start the Process

Navigate to your X monetization settings (Settings → Monetization → Creator Revenue Sharing) and click on the identity verification prompt. This will open a Stripe-hosted verification flow. Note: this opens in a web browser, not within the X app.

Step 2: Select Your Document Type

Choose whether you’ll verify using a passport, driver’s license, or national ID card. Passport is generally the easiest and most universally accepted option. If you use a driver’s license or national ID, you’ll need to photograph both the front and back.

Step 3: Photograph Your Document

Using your phone camera or webcam, take a clear photo of your ID document. Stripe’s interface guides you through this with an overlay showing where to position the document. Tips for a successful capture:

• Place the document on a flat, dark surface for contrast
• Ensure all four corners of the document are visible in the frame
• Avoid glare from overhead lights (tilt the document slightly if needed)
• Make sure all text on the document is legible in the photo
• Don’t cover any part of the document with your fingers

Step 4: Take a Selfie (If Required)

In some regions, Stripe requires a selfie for facial matching against your ID photo. This is a live capture, not an upload of an existing photo. Look directly at the camera, ensure good lighting on your face, and follow any on-screen instructions (you may be asked to turn your head slowly).

Step 5: Submit and Wait

After submitting your documents, Stripe’s automated system reviews them. Most verifications are approved within a few minutes. Some may take up to 24–48 hours if manual review is required. You’ll receive a notification on X when the verification is complete.

Common Verification Issues and Fixes

Blurry or Low-Quality Document Photo

This is the most common rejection reason. Clean your camera lens, ensure bright lighting, hold your hand steady, and make sure the document is in sharp focus before capturing. If your phone has a macro mode, use it for close-up document shots.

Document Type Not Accepted

Some regional ID types aren’t in Stripe’s system. If your primary ID is rejected, try a passport instead. Passports are accepted from virtually every country. If you don’t have a passport, check Stripe’s documentation for which document types are accepted in your specific country.

Selfie Doesn’t Match ID Photo

If you look significantly different from your ID photo (major weight change, new hairstyle, glasses on/off), the facial matching algorithm may flag a mismatch. Try removing glasses, pulling hair back from your face, and matching the expression in your ID photo as closely as possible. If automated matching fails, the verification may be escalated to manual review.

Expired Document

Your ID must be currently valid. An expired passport or driver’s license will be rejected. If your document is expired, you’ll need to renew it before completing verification. This can take days to weeks depending on your country, so plan ahead.

Privacy and Security

A common concern is sharing identity documents with a tech company. Here’s how the process protects your data:

• X never sees your actual ID documents — they’re processed entirely by Stripe
• Stripe is PCI DSS Level 1 certified (the highest level of security certification in the payments industry)
• Document images are encrypted at rest and in transit
• Stripe retains verification data only as long as required by law, then deletes it
• You can request deletion of your verification data from Stripe at any time

After Verification

Once verified, you won’t need to reverify unless you change your name or Stripe’s policies require periodic rechecks. Your identity verification status is linked to your X account, so it persists even if you change your handle or display name.

With identity verification complete, you’ve cleared one of the five requirements for Creator Revenue Sharing. Combined with X Premium, 500 Premium followers (achievable through xF4F), 5 million impressions, and an account in good standing, you’re ready to start earning from your content on X.