A lot goes into keeping your funds safe! In this article, we will break down that process, including the documents that you need and the timelines for these reviews.
This article covers the following topics:
- Why are we verifying?
- What do we verify?
- Requirements to create a fundraiser by country
- What documents do we verify?
Why are we verifying?
We work with payment partners that coordinate the safe transfer of funds for your fundraiser. They verify your personal information to ensure that funds are sent to the correct individual or organization.
If more information is needed, you will receive an email from them or GoFundMe asking to upload an identity document. This could be a driver’s license, passport, national ID or a bank statement (in printed or digital form).
This extra information is to ensure your account’s security and to confirm that funds can be withdrawn to your bank account.
If you receive one of these emails, you’ll be prompted to follow a link to upload the necessary documentation. We recommend checking your GoFundMe account within 1-2 business days to see if any other details are required or if the verification process is complete. If you experience trouble uploading these documents, please contact our team.
Note: Only send personal and private information through official GoFundMe emails and the email addresses of our payment partners. If you have any concern regarding the security or legitimacy of the email you receive, please contact our team immediately.
What do we verify?
When creating a fundraiser, you will have the option to select the currency. The currency of your fundraiser will determine which requirements you need to meet to withdraw.
Example: If the US dollar is selected as the currency, you must meet the requirements for the USA to continue. If you do not meet the requirements for that country, but you do for another, please change the currency before beginning your fundraiser. This can be done when setting your goal amount, but cannot be changed once the fundraiser is launched.
If you do not meet the requirements for any country listed below, do not create a fundraiser. You must ask someone from a supported country to create one for you instead or your fundraiser will be refunded.
Requirements to create a fundraiser by country
USA
- US Social Security number or ITIN
- A US mailing address from one of the 50 states
- A US phone number
- A US bank account in your name
- A US drivers license or US passport
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Canada
- A Canadian bank account in your name
- A Canadian mailing address
- A Canadian phone number
- A Canadian Tax-ID (Social Insurance Number)
- A Canadian government-issued ID, such as a passport or drivers license
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Europe
- A bank account from the supported EU country you signed up with
- A phone number from the supported EU country you signed up with
- A passport from any country or National ID card of the supported EU country you signed up with
- An address from the supported EU country you signed up with
- Must be at least 18 years of age
UK
- A bank account in the UK
- A National Insurance Number
- A passport from any country or a UK Driving license
- A UK phone number
- A UK address
- Must be at least 18 years of age
Australia
- A bank account in Australia
- A physical location in Australia (at which you're able to receive mail)
- A government-issued ID such as a passport or driver's license from any country
- A phone number in Australia
- Must be at least 18 years of age
What documents do we verify?
If our payment partner cannot verify the information you entered automatically, they may request the following documentation:
Your government-issued ID
If you meet the requirements to withdraw from one of the supported country, you will need to fill out your personal details, including your name, address, phone number, Tax-ID and date of birth. If this information can't be automatically verified, then there's a chance you'll need to provide a copy of your government issued photo ID. All of the following are acceptable forms of ID:
- Valid Passports
- US Driver's Licenses
- UK Driver's Licenses
- ROI Driver's Licenses
- EU National ID Card
Note: A Tax-ID can be a Social Security Number, a National Insurance Number, or an ITIN. If you have an ITIN, please contact our team.
Your address details
Our payment processor requires that the details in your GoFundMe account match your ID. If the address on your ID does not match the address used to verify the account, or if you choose to submit a passport or other document that doesn't show your address, you'll also need to submit an additional document as proof of your address, such as:
- A current utility bill, lease, or mortgage agreement.
Your banking information
You will need to use a bank account in your name that is located in the country you signed up in. You’ll be able to fill out your bank information from within your account. If there are any issues with verifying your bank account, our payment processor may require a bank statement that meets the following requirements be uploaded to your account”
- Your bank logo, or branch information (must be issued by the bank)
- Your name as the account holder
- The bank account number entered in your GoFundMe account
- Your sort code (if in the UK or ROI)
If you cannot find a bank statement that meets the requirements, your other option is to upload a photo of a voided check for your account.
If you do have to upload any of the above documentation, it will take our payment partner up to 1 business day to review and approve the information you sent over. This can extend the time it takes for you to receive your funds, so it’s important to plan around that.
Note: Bank deposits also take 2-5 business days to arrive from the time they are sent.