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Taking Photos of Your ID

When verifying your identity, taking a clear photo of your ID can help you successfully pass verification. Make sure the ID is legible and contains all required information, such as your full name, barcodes, and ID numbers. Amazon recommends uploading a JPEG, JPG, or PNG file. PDF and HEIC files are accepted, but are not recommended. For a list of accepted IDs, see Accepted IDs for Identity Verification.

Tips

If using a camera to take a photo of your ID, follow these tips:

  • Place the ID on a dark, flat surface.
  • Choose a room with plenty of natural lighting instead of using a camera's flash. It's best to take the photo during the daytime.
  • Position the camera directly above the ID. Make sure all four corners of the ID are visible and your shadow doesn't cover any details.
  • Hold the camera at an adequate distance to see details (such as full name, barcodes, and ID numbers) on the ID. Don't hold it too far away, where information is illegible, or too close, where the ID gets cropped.

If using a scanner to take a photo of your ID, follow these tips:

  • Place the ID in the middle of the scanner, so all four corners of the ID are visible. Do not place the ID against one of the scanner's corners.
  • (Optional) Lay a dark sheet of paper (or any material that offers a dark contrast) behind the ID to serve as a contrasting background.
  • After you scan the ID, crop the scanned file to fit the ID, leaving less than half an inch (or 50 pixels) of space around the ID's edges.

Grant browser permission to take a photo

If you plan to take a photo directly from the identity verification web page rather than uploading an existing file, you might be required to grant permission for the browser to access your camera.

If you do not see a pop-up asking for permission to use your camera, you'll need to update your browser settings. This process differs between device (such as a smartphone or a computer) and internet browser (such as Chrome or Safari). Camera permissions are generally located within your browser settings, under an option labeled Camera.

Guidance to avoid errors

The following table lists guidelines to reduce errors during identity verification.

Issue Guidance
Blurry photo If the text on your ID is hard to read, adjust the focus of your image or take a new photo.
Information is cut off Make sure the entire ID is visible, including barcodes. All four corners of the ID should be clearly seen.
Glare or shade on the photo If areas are too shiny or dark and make the photo hard to read, try adjusting the lighting or moving to another spot. Make sure to position the camera directly above the ID.
Camera is too far away from ID Only the ID should be present in the photo, no other objects. Make sure the focus is close enough to read text.

Last updated: Dec 23, 2024