Binance KYC basic verification supports three main types of documents: Government-issued ID Card, International Passport, and Driver's License. Choosing any of these three will allow you to complete Lv.1 verification, provided the document is within its validity period and you can take clear photos of both the front and back. If you only have an ID card, that is perfectly sufficient. Before starting, please go to the Binance Official Website or download the Binance Official APP to access the verification page. Apple users can refer to the iOS Installation Guide.
Three Types of Documents Supported by Binance KYC
Binance's KYC system is connected to the document databases of over 100 countries. Currently, the documents explicitly supported for Lv.1 verification are:
- Government-issued ID Card: Official national ID cards, including resident identity cards, residence permits, citizen cards, etc.
- Passport: Only the information page with the MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) is needed.
- Driver's License: Requires photos of both the front and back.
The trust level for all three documents within the system is essentially identical, and choosing any one will allow you to pass the Lv.1 review. Recommended documents may vary slightly by country, and the system will automatically display the available options based on the nationality you select.
Using an ID Card for KYC
The ID card is the most common choice. When verifying with an ID card:
- You must photograph the front (the side with your photo and name).
- You must photograph the back (the side with the issuing authority and validity period).
- You must capture all four corners without cutting off the edges.
- All text and your portrait must be clearly legible.
- Documents with less than 6 months of validity remaining may be rejected by the system; it is recommended to renew the ID before verifying.
If your ID is a plastic card, avoid shining strong light directly on the surface when taking the photo. Glare will cause OCR recognition to fail. Placing the document on a dark, solid-colored background (like a black desk or dark cloth) will improve the recognition rate.
Using a Passport for KYC
A passport is the most convenient document for cross-border use and is the most commonly used type for Binance's global users. When verifying with a passport:
- You only need to photograph the page with your photo and personal information (usually page 2).
- When shooting, ensure the entire information page is in the frame.
- The two lines of MRZ code at the bottom must be clear, as this is crucial for the system's automatic validation.
- The passport must not have a protective film/cover on it, as the reflection will hinder recognition.
- Passports with less than 6 months of validity remaining might be rejected.
The advantage of a passport is that it is internationally recognized. Even if you travel or move to a new country, passport verification remains valid. The downside is that some countries have older passport versions, and if the MRZ text is worn out, recognition can easily fail.
Using a Driver's License for KYC
Driver's licenses are primarily used by users in Western countries. In places like the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, a driver's license acts as a de facto ID card. When verifying with a driver's license:
- You must photograph both the front and back.
- The front must show your name, photo, license number, and date of birth.
- The back must show the issue date and expiry date.
- Temporary paper licenses are not accepted; it must be an official plastic card.
- Learner's permits or provisional licenses may be rejected.
Driver's licenses in the Asian region are not always supported across all countries. If the system does not accept your driver's license, switch to an ID card or passport.
Document Differences by Country
Binance offers different document options based on a user's country of residence:
- Residents of Japan: Supports My Number Card (マイナンバーカード), Driver's License (運転免許証), and Passport (パスポート).
- Residents of South Korea: Supports Resident Registration Card (주민등록증), Driver's License (운전면허증), and Passport.
- Residents of the EU: Supports various National ID Cards, EU Driver's Licenses, and Passports.
- Residents of Southeast Asia: Generally supports local ID cards and passports.
Special Note: In some countries, temporary identity documents, student IDs, work IDs, and military IDs are NOT accepted. Only formal government-issued documents from the three main categories can pass the review.
Specific Requirements for Document Photos
Regardless of which document you choose, you must adhere to these 6 strict rules when taking the photo:
- Adequate Lighting: Shooting near a window during the day is ideal. Do not shoot in dim lighting.
- No Glare or Obstructions: Turn off the flash and avoid direct light from desk lamps.
- Four Corners Visible: All four corners of the document must be in the frame; do not crop the edges.
- Proportion: The document should take up about 70-80% of the frame—neither too small nor too large.
- Clean Background: A dark, solid-colored background is best. Do not place it on a cluttered desk.
- Sharp Focus: Hold your hand steady and wait for the camera to focus before pressing the shutter.
If you are using the APP to verify, it is highly recommended to use the APP's built-in camera tool rather than uploading from your photo gallery. The APP will guide you to align the document frame and automatically detect blurriness.
Requirements for the Facial Recognition Step
After photographing the document, you will proceed to the Liveness Detection step. In this step, you will be required to:
- Face the camera directly.
- Follow the prompts to blink, open your mouth, or turn your head left/right.
- Remove glasses, masks, and hats.
- Ensure light is hitting your face from the front or diagonal front.
- Keep a distance of 30-50 cm from the camera.
Liveness detection will perform a biometric comparison between your face and the photo on your ID to confirm it's really you. Wearing colored contact lenses will lower the pass rate, and some users may need two or three attempts to pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: I don't have a passport, only an ID card. Can I do Binance KYC?
A: Absolutely. An ID card is a valid document type supported by Binance. You can complete the Lv.1 basic verification using just your ID card. You only need to take clear photos of the front and back of the ID, complete the facial recognition, and the whole process can be finished in under 15 minutes.
Q2: My ID card is expiring soon, can I still use it for verification?
A: If the validity period has less than 6 months remaining, the Binance system might prompt "Document is expiring soon" and reject it. It is recommended to get a new ID card from the police station before doing KYC. If you are already verified and your document later expires, it will not affect your account usage, but you will need a new document the next time you upgrade your tier or re-verify.
Q3: Can an expired driver's license or passport pass KYC?
A: No. Binance requires all documents to be valid at the current time. Even if it expired just yesterday, the system will reject it outright. If your passport is expired, you can switch to a valid ID card or driver's license.
Q4: Can I use a Hong Kong Identity Card to register on Binance?
A: A Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card is distinct from a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents. The Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card is accepted as a government-issued ID. However, please note that Binance's service scope differs for residents of certain regions, so confirm the available features in your area before verifying.
Q5: What if my English name doesn't match the name on my document?
A: When entering your name, make sure it exactly matches the printed text on your document. If your ID only has Chinese characters, fill in your Chinese last and first name during KYC. If using a passport, follow the Pinyin format exactly as it appears on the passport. Do not create your own translation, as the system performs a character-by-character check.