How to capture a clear photo that passes the first time

The quality of your ID photo and selfie is the single biggest factor in whether verification passes on the first try. Follow these tips and you'll usually be done in under 2 minutes.

Use your phone camera, not a webcam

Mobile cameras take sharper, cleaner photos than most webcams. If you start the process on your computer, use the option to send a link to your phone and finish there. Most customers do this.

For your ID photo

• Lay the ID flat on a dark, solid surface — a wooden desk, a dark table, or a book works well. Avoid tablecloths and busy patterns.

• Don't hold the ID in your hand — your fingers can accidentally cover important parts of the card

• Use natural light if possible — next to a window is ideal. Avoid direct overhead lights that create shadows

• Hold your phone directly above the ID, not at an angle — the image should capture the whole card with a bit of border around it

• Make sure all four corners are visible

• Watch for glare — if a light is reflecting off the card's surface, move or angle the card slightly to eliminate it

For your selfie

• Face the light, not away from it — don't have a bright window behind you

• Remove sunglasses, hats, and masks — your full face needs to be visible

• Look directly at the camera

• Keep a neutral expression — no need to pose

• If you wear glasses, it's usually fine, but if verification fails, try once without them

Most common reasons a photo gets rejected

• Image is too blurry (hold still, let the camera focus)

• Too dark or too bright (adjust lighting)

• Glare covers text on the ID

• Part of the ID is cut off at the edge of the frame

• ID is expired

• Fingers or objects partially covering the ID

If it fails the first time

Don't worry — you can retry. The system will usually tell you exactly what went wrong (e.g., "image too dark" or "please try a different document"). Fix the specific issue and try again. Most first-time failures pass on the second or third attempt.