> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://staging-docs.crosspoint.finance/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Verify your identity > How identity verification works in Nigeria (BVN) and in every other African country (ID upload). Before we can pay you, we need to know who you are. Verifying your identity protects you, your customers and other sellers from fraud. It's also what unlocks your first payouts. Until your identity is verified and your organization has been [reviewed](https://staging-docs.crosspoint.finance/africa/account-reviews.md), your account isn't activated and you can't get paid out. ## Where to do it Verifying your identity is the last step of onboarding, after personal details, business details and product details. You can skip it and come back later from your dashboard: * **Finance > Account**, or * your account settings. > [!WARNING] > > Enter your legal name, date of birth and country **exactly as they appear on your official ID**. We check your ID against these details. If they don't match, verification fails. ## Nigeria: verify with your BVN If you live in Nigeria, you verify with your Bank Verification Number (BVN). It's instant. **1. Open Verify your identity** Go to **Finance > Account** in your dashboard, or finish the last step of onboarding. **2. Enter your BVN** Type in your 11-digit BVN. **3. We check it** We check your BVN with our verification partner against the legal first name, last name and date of birth you entered. **4. Get your result** You see the result straight away. If it matches, you're verified. What has to match: * **Name.** Every part of your legal name must be on your BVN. The order doesn't matter, and a middle name is fine. Capital letters and accents are ignored, but the spelling must match. * **Date of birth.** It must match exactly. A few rules: * One BVN can only verify one Crosspoint account. * You get up to 5 failed attempts every 24 hours. ## Other African countries: upload your ID If you live anywhere else in Africa, you upload a photo or scan of your ID. Our team reviews it by hand. **1. Open Verify your identity** Go to **Finance > Account** in your dashboard, or finish the last step of onboarding. **2. Choose your document** Pick one: * an **international passport**: upload the photo page, or * a **national ID card** or **driver's licence**: upload the front and the back. **3. Upload clear files** Use JPG, PNG, WebP or PDF, up to 8 MB each. Make sure all four corners are visible and your name and date of birth match your legal details. **4. Wait for our review** Your status shows **Pending** on your dashboard while we review it. We email you when it's approved or rejected. If your ID is rejected, you'll see the reason on your dashboard and you can upload again. ## What we store * **BVN:** we keep only the last 4 digits. We never store your full BVN. * **ID documents:** your images are stored privately. Only our review team can see them. ## Your legal details are locked once verified Once your identity is verified, or while your ID is being reviewed, you can't change your legal name, date of birth or country. If any of them are wrong, email [support@crosspoint.finance](mailto:support@crosspoint.finance). If your ID is rejected, these details unlock again so you can fix them. ## FAQ > **My name doesn't match my BVN** > > Go to **User settings** and update your legal name so every part of it is on your BVN, spelled the same way. Then try again. > **My date of birth doesn't match** > > Go to **User settings** and update your date of birth so it's exactly the same as on your BVN or ID. Then try again. > **My ID was rejected** > > Check the reason shown on your dashboard, fix the problem, and upload again. Common causes are a blurry photo, cut-off corners, or a name or date of birth that doesn't match your legal details. A rejected ID also unlocks your legal details, so you can correct them first. > **I don't know my BVN** > > Dial `*565*0#` from the phone number linked to your bank account. Your BVN will be shown to you. > **I've had too many failed attempts** > > You can try up to 5 times every 24 hours. Wait, check your legal details in **User settings**, then try again. > **Can I change my name after I'm verified?** > > Not yourself. Your legal name, date of birth and country are locked once you're verified or while your ID is in review. Email [support@crosspoint.finance](mailto:support@crosspoint.finance) and we'll help. ## Next steps Once you're verified, [add a payout account](https://staging-docs.crosspoint.finance/africa/payout-accounts.md) and check your [payout limits](https://staging-docs.crosspoint.finance/africa/payout-limits.md). This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.