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To be eligible for a certificate in the verified track of a course, you must successfully complete photo verification. Photo verification is done through our secure webpage by sending a photograph of yourself and a photo of an identification card that has your photo and full name on the same side.
You do not have to verify your identity immediately, but you must do so in order to access any certificate you earn or to take a proctored exam.
edX encrypts your photos and uses the highest levels of security available to protect your data.
Preparing to verify your identity
Before you begin the identity verification process, follow these recommendations to make the process as straightforward as possible.
- Make sure that you have access to a computer with a built-in camera, a webcam, mobile phone, or tablet. Chrome on iOS does not support camera access. Please use a different browser to complete ID verification.
If you do not have access to these devices, edX recommends that you find out if your local library has a webcam that you can use, or that you borrow a friend’s. - Compare the name on your photo ID card to the full name you use in your edX account. Both names must match, including the type of characters used, initials, and spelling.
If necessary, you can update your edX account name at any time on the edX account settings page. You also have the opportunity to change your edX account name during the identity verification process. - Make sure that your name on your ID card is clear and readable, and that your name and photo are visible together on the same side of the card.
If your name and your photo are on two different pages, or on the front and back of a single page, you can copy both pages onto a single piece of paper. - Make sure that you have adequate lighting for the photographs.
Verify your identity
To verify your identity, follow these steps.
- Go to our secure verification page: https://account.edx.org/id-verification
- Here you will see an explanation of what you need for ID verification. Click Next to continue.
- At the top of your browser window, a message may ask you to share the camera with edx.org. You can also click Enable Camera to see this message.
- To see and respond to this message every time you take or retake a photograph for the verification process, select Share Selected Device. To share the webcam throughout the process select Always Share.
- If your camera has been enabled, you will see a message confirming this.
- On the next page, you will find some tips for submitting a photo of your face. Click Next.
- On the Take Your Photo page, position yourself to take a selfie-type picture with your webcam. Click Take Photo to take the photo of your face.
- You can click the Enable Face Detection checkbox to aid with face detection.(optional)
- Review your photo to make sure that it is well-lit and fills the available space.
- If you are not satisfied with the photo, select Retake Photo.
- If you are satisfied with the photo, select Next: Take a photo of your ID.
- On the next page, you will find some tips for submitting a photo of your photo identification card. Click Next.
- On the Take a Photo of Your ID page, hold your photo identification card up to your device's camera.
- Review the photo of your ID to make sure that it is well-lit and fills the available space.
- If you are not satisfied with the photo, select Retake Photo.
- When you are satisfied with the photo, select Next: Review your Info.
- On the Review Your Photos page, review the photos of your face and of your ID. Make sure that the photos meet all of the requirements listed under Photo requirements.
- You can select Retake portrait photo to retake the photo of your face, or Retake ID photo to retake the photo of your identification card.
- If you are having trouble getting a clear image of the photo identification card, click Is your ID image not clear or too blurry? This will expand that section and you can click Choose File to upload a jpg, jpeg, or png image of your photo identification card.
- After you make sure that your photos meet all of the requirements listed under Photo requirements select Submit.
A message confirms that you have submitted your photos.
After edX’s authorization service examines your photos, a message on your dashboard informs you whether the verification process was successful. If the verification process was not successful, you must submit new verification photos. You can begin the verification process again by selecting Verify Your Identity.
Troubleshooting the verification process
If you have a problem during the identity verification process, these suggestions might help you find a resolution.
- Make sure that you are using a supported browser. We recommend current versions of Firefox or Chrome. Chrome on iOS does not support camera access. Please use a different browser to complete ID verification.
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If you continue to have trouble, one option is to try a different computer or device to submit your photos, then return to your computer to take the course.
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Try an alternate internet connection. Some secure network connections, such as the internet connection in a place of employment, block users from uploading their photos successfully.
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If you're having trouble taking a clear photo of your identification card on the second step, follow these instructions to upload the image.
You can submit your photos here: https://account.edx.org/id-verification