Facebook's blue check is a verification badge that appears next to your name or Page, showing that Facebook has confirmed your identity
The blue check on Facebook works differently than on other platforms. Facebook offers verification through two separate programs: one for individual profiles and one for Pages. Both require you to submit a government-issued ID and meet specific requirements, but the process and may be able to access rules differ between them.
Individual profiles can be verified if you are a public figure, creator, or notable person. Pages — including business Pages, creator Pages, and community Pages — can be verified if they represent a real entity and meet Facebook's standards for authenticity and notability. Neither program costs money, but both require you to go through Facebook's review process, which typically takes a few days to a few weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook verification requires submitting a government-issued ID and proving you are the person or entity the account represents.
- Individual profiles need to be associated with a public figure, creator, or notable person to be considered for verification.
- Pages can be verified if they represent a real business, organization, creator, or public figure and have consistent branding and activity.
- The review process is manual and can take several days to several weeks; Facebook will notify you of approval or rejection by message.
- Verification is not permanent — Facebook can remove a blue check if the account violates policies or no longer meets requirements.
How to request verification for your individual profile
To request a blue check on your personal profile, open Facebook and go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Select Personal Information, then look for the Verification section. Click Request Verification and follow the prompts to upload a photo of your government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card. Facebook will ask you to take a selfie to confirm the ID matches your face.
After you submit, Facebook reviews your request manually. The review can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Facebook will send you a message in your Message Requests folder to let you know whether your request was approved or denied. If approved, the blue check appears next to your name on your profile and in comments and posts. If denied, you can request verification again after 30 days.
Your profile must meet certain conditions before Facebook will consider your request. You need an active, established profile with a real name, a profile picture, and a history of activity. Profiles that are brand new, have minimal posts, or use a fake name will not be approved. If you are a public figure, creator, journalist, or otherwise notable person, your chances of approval are higher.
How to request verification for your Page
Pages have a separate verification process. To request verification for a Page you manage, go to the Page, click Settings, then select General. Scroll to the Verification section and click Request Verification. You will need to upload a government-issued ID that matches the name associated with the Page or the name of an authorized representative of the business or organization.
Facebook also requires proof that your Page represents a real entity. Depending on what your Page is for, this might mean a business license, articles about your business or organization published by news outlets, or documentation showing you are an official representative. Pages for businesses, nonprofits, public figures, creators, and media outlets are most likely to be approved.
The review timeline is the same as for individual profiles — a few days to several weeks. Facebook notifies you by message whether the request was approved. If your Page is approved, the blue check appears next to the Page name on the Page itself, in search results, and when the Page is mentioned or tagged elsewhere on Facebook.
What Facebook looks for when reviewing verification requests
Facebook's review team checks several things before approving a verification request. First, they confirm that the ID you submitted is real and matches the name on your account or Page. Second, they verify that you are actually the person or authorized representative of the entity the account represents. Third, they check whether the account has a history of following Facebook's Community Standards — accounts with violations or strikes against them are less likely to be approved.
For Pages, Facebook also looks at whether the Page represents something real and notable. A local business with a website and consistent online presence is more likely to be approved than a Page with no outside presence. A creator Page with thousands of followers and regular posts is more likely to be approved than a Page with minimal activity. Accounts that impersonate someone else or misrepresent what they are will be denied.
Facebook does not publish exact criteria for what makes someone "notable" enough for verification. The company considers factors like media coverage, follower count, engagement, and whether you are a public figure in your field. This means two similar accounts might have different outcomes depending on how Facebook's reviewers assess their notability.
What happens if your verification request is denied
If Facebook denies your request, you receive a message explaining the reason. Common reasons include: the ID did not match the account name, the account does not meet activity or age requirements, the account has violated Facebook policies, or Facebook determined the account does not meet notability standards.
You can request verification again 30 days after a denial. Before you reapply, address the reason for the denial. If the issue was a policy violation, make sure your account is in good standing and has not had recent violations. If the issue was notability, build your presence — post regularly, grow your audience, and establish yourself in your field. If the issue was an ID mismatch, make sure the name on your account exactly matches the name on your ID.
If you believe Facebook made a mistake, you can appeal the decision through the same Settings menu where you requested verification. Facebook reviews appeals manually, but there is no may provide the outcome will be different.
How verification affects your account and what you can do with a blue check
A blue check does not unlock special features or give you access to tools you did not have before. It is purely a badge that tells people your account is authentic. You still follow the same rules as any other account, and you still have the same posting limits, content moderation, and community standards to follow.
The main benefit of verification is credibility. People are more likely to trust a verified account, and a blue check can help you stand out in search results and when people look for your name or business. For creators and public figures, verification can lead to more followers and engagement because people know they are following the real account, not an imposter.
Verification is not permanent. Facebook can remove your blue check if you violate policies, if your account becomes inactive, or if you no longer meet the requirements for verification. If your check is removed, you can request it again once you have addressed the issue.
The difference between Facebook verification and other verification badges
Facebook's blue check is different from the gray "Official" badge that appears on some Pages. The gray badge means Facebook has confirmed the Page is the official account for a business, organization, or public figure — it is a higher level of verification than the blue check. You cannot request the gray badge yourself; Facebook assigns it to Pages that meet specific criteria, usually large organizations or well-known public figures.
Other platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have their own verification systems with different requirements and processes. Facebook's system is stricter about requiring government ID, while some other platforms focus more on notability and follower count. If you are verified on another platform, that does not automatically make you verified on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get verified on Facebook?
The review process typically takes a few days to several weeks. Facebook does not publish exact timelines, and the speed depends on how busy their review team is and how straightforward your request is. You will receive a message in your Message Requests folder when a decision is made.
Can I get verified if I am not famous or a public figure?
Yes. Facebook verifies business owners, creators, journalists, activists, and other people who are notable in their field or community. You do not need to be a celebrity. However, your account does need to show that you are an active, established presence in your area or industry.
What if my government ID name does not match my Facebook name?
Your Facebook name needs to match the name on your government ID for verification to be approved. If your legal name is different from the name you use on Facebook, you will need to change your Facebook name to match your ID before requesting verification, or use a different ID that matches your current Facebook name.
Can I pay to get verified faster?
No. Facebook verification is free and cannot be expedited by paying. Any service claiming to speed up verification or may provide approval is a scam. The only way to get verified is through Facebook's official verification request process.
What should I do if someone else has a verified account impersonating me?
Report the account to Facebook by clicking the three dots on their profile or Page, selecting Find Support or Report Profile, and choosing Impersonation. Facebook takes impersonation seriously and will investigate. You can also request verification for your own account to make it clear which one is authentic.