Account Verification
Account verification protects you and ensures compliance with financial regulations. This guide explains the verification process and requirements.
Why Verification Is Required
Regulatory Compliance
Financial regulations require us to verify:
- Your identity (Know Your Customer / KYC)
- Your right to receive payments
- Business legitimacy (for companies)
- Tax status for proper reporting
Benefits of Verification
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Receive payments | Required for payouts |
| Higher limits | Access full platform features |
| Account security | Proves account ownership |
| Platform trust | Verified accounts have more credibility |
The 3 Verification Steps
To complete verification and receive payments, you must complete three primary steps:
| Step | What You Provide | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Personal/Business Details | Your personal information (and business info if applicable) | Identity foundation |
| 2. US Tax Forms | W-9, W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E depending on your status | Tax compliance |
| 3. Identity Verification (KYC) | Government ID and selfie via Onfido/Entrust | Verify you are who you say you are |
Accessing Verification
Navigate to Profile > Account (or /user/profile/account) to complete these steps.
Step 1: Personal and Business Details
For Individuals
Provide your personal details:
- Legal first and last name
- Date of birth
- Country of residence
- Full address
- Phone number
For Businesses
If you operate as a company or label, also provide:
- Business/company name
- Business registration number
- Business address (if different from personal)
- Business type (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
Note: Even businesses need a representative’s personal details for verification.
Step 2: US Tax Forms
US tax regulations require us to collect tax information from all payees. The form you need depends on your status:
Which Tax Form Do You Need?
| Your Status | Required Form | Description |
|---|---|---|
| US Person (Individual) | W-9 | US citizens, residents, or green card holders |
| US Person (Business) | W-9 | US companies, LLCs, corporations |
| Non-US Individual | W-8BEN | Foreign individuals (not US citizens/residents) |
| Non-US Business | W-8BEN-E | Foreign companies and entities |
W-9 (US Persons)
If you’re a US citizen, resident, or green card holder (or a US business), complete the W-9 form with:
- Legal name (individual or business)
- Tax identification number (SSN or EIN)
- Address
- Tax classification
W-8BEN (Non-US Individuals)
If you’re a foreign individual (not a US citizen or resident), complete the W-8BEN form with:
- Legal name
- Country of citizenship
- Foreign tax identification number (if applicable)
- Tax treaty benefits claim (if applicable)
- Permanent and mailing address
W-8BEN-E (Non-US Businesses)
If your company is incorporated outside the US, complete the W-8BEN-E form with:
- Organization name and country of incorporation
- Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 status
- Tax identification numbers
- Treaty benefits (if applicable)
- Authorized signatory information
Important: Tax forms must be completed accurately. Incorrect information may result in tax withholding at the maximum rate.
Step 3: Identity Verification (KYC)
Identity verification is completed through our secure partner, Onfido (powered by Entrust). This confirms you are who you say you are.
The KYC Process
- Prepare your documents - Have your government-issued ID ready
- Start verification - Click the verification button in your account
- Upload ID - Take a photo of your ID document
- Complete selfie - Take a live photo or video of yourself
- Wait for processing - Verification typically completes within minutes
Accepted ID Documents
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- National ID card
Requirements for Success
✅ Do:
- Use good lighting
- Ensure document is flat and all corners visible
- Match the name on your ID to your account
- Follow on-screen instructions
❌ Don’t:
- Submit blurry or dark images
- Use expired documents
- Cover any part of the document
Document Guidelines
Photo Quality
For successful verification:
✅ Do:
- Use good lighting
- Ensure document is flat
- Capture all corners
- Make text readable
❌ Don’t:
- Submit blurry images
- Crop important information
- Use flash that creates glare
- Submit expired documents
File Formats
| Accepted | Not Accepted |
|---|---|
| JPG/JPEG | Word documents |
| PNG | Spreadsheets |
| Corrupted files |
File Size
- Minimum: 100 KB
- Maximum: 10 MB
- Resolution: At least 300 DPI recommended
Common Verification Issues
Document Rejected
| Reason | Solution |
|---|---|
| Blurry image | Retake with better lighting |
| Expired document | Submit current document |
| Information mismatch | Ensure name matches exactly |
| Missing corners | Include full document |
| Wrong document type | Submit accepted document type |
Name Mismatch
If your ID name doesn’t match your account:
- Legal name change: Provide court order or marriage certificate
- Nickname/stage name: Use legal name for verification
- Spelling error: Contact support to correct
Address Issues
If address verification fails:
- Ensure document is recent (within 3 months)
- Address must match what you entered
- PO Boxes may not be accepted
Approval Workflow
After you submit your verification information, our system processes it through an approval workflow.
Verification Statuses
| Status | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Draft | You’re still filling out information | Complete all required fields |
| Approved | Verification complete and accepted | You’re ready to receive payments |
| Under Review | Awaiting manual review by our team | Wait for processing |
| Changes Required | We need you to fix something | Check notifications and correct the issue |
| Rejected | Verification denied | Contact support for assistance |
How Approval Works
- Automatic Checks - Our system performs initial validation on your submitted information
- Auto-Approve - If everything passes automated checks, your account is approved automatically
- Manual Review - If issues are detected, your profile goes to our team for review
- Decision - We either approve, request changes, or (rarely) reject
If Changes Are Required
If we need you to fix something:
- You’ll receive a notification (email and in-app)
- Log into your account and go to Profile > Account
- Review the specific issue noted
- Make the necessary corrections
- Resubmit for review
Common reasons for changes: Mismatched names, unclear documents, missing information, or tax form errors.
Verification Timeline
How Long It Takes
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Document submission | Immediate |
| Automatic processing | Usually instant |
| Manual review | 1-3 business days (if needed) |
| Approval notification | Email sent when complete |
Status Updates
Check your verification status in:
- Profile > Account page
- Email notifications
- Dashboard alerts
If Verification Is Delayed
- Check for messages requesting additional info
- Ensure all documents were submitted
- Contact support after 7 business days
Maintaining Verification
When Re-verification Is Needed
You may need to verify again if:
- Documents expire
- You change countries
- Information changes significantly
- Regulatory requirements change
Keeping Information Current
Update your account when:
- You move to a new address
- Your name changes legally
- Your business structure changes
Privacy and Security
How We Protect Your Data
- Encrypted document storage
- Limited access (compliance team only)
- Deleted after verification (where allowed)
- Never shared with third parties
Your Rights
- Request copy of stored documents
- Request deletion (subject to legal requirements)
- Know how data is used
- Correct inaccurate information
Regional Requirements
United States
- Social Security Number may be required
- W-9 form for tax purposes
- State-specific requirements possible
European Union
- GDPR compliance
- EU ID documents accepted
- VAT number for businesses
United Kingdom
- UK ID documents accepted
- Post-Brexit specific requirements
- Companies House registration for businesses
Other Regions
Requirements vary by country. Contact support for specific guidance.
Troubleshooting
Can’t Complete Verification
- Review document requirements
- Try different document type
- Ensure information matches exactly
- Contact support with specific issue
Verification Stuck in Review
- Check for messages/emails
- Allow full processing time
- Submit requested additional documents
- Contact support if over 7 days
Account Limited Due to Verification
- Complete required verification steps
- Submit any missing documents
- Limitations removed once approved
FAQ
”Why do you need my ID?”
Financial regulations require us to verify the identity of people we pay. This protects against fraud and money laundering.
”Is my information safe?”
Yes. We use encryption, limit access, and follow data protection regulations. See our privacy policy for details.
”Can I use a stage name?”
For verification, use your legal name. Your artist/stage name can be separate from your account holder name.
”What if I don’t have the required documents?”
Contact support to discuss alternatives. We can work with various document types depending on your country.
Need Help?
If you’re having trouble with verification, contact our support team with details about the issue.