Identity Verification

On This Page

• What is ID.me?
• Identity Verification User Guides
• Benefits
• Frequently Asked Questions

FINRA is implementing identity verification as a mandatory step to verify the identity for users who grant access to or who have access to view specific sensitive data on FINRA-owned or managed systems. FINRA’s regulatory and contractual obligations require FINRA to maintain rigorous security standards designed to safeguard sensitive data from potential security vulnerabilities and unauthorized access.

What is ID.me?

FINRA selected ID.me to perform identity verification services. ID.me is certified to federal standards for identity verification—a critical security function to confirm that the person logging into your FINRA Gateway account is you, not an imposter attempting to gain unauthorized access to your account. This additional verification layer protects both your account and the sensitive data you access.

Benefits of ID.me

• Prevents fraud – ID.me has a robust identity verification system to help prevent fraud and identity theft by ensuring the appropriate user accesses the account.
• Offers bank-grade security – ID.me uses advanced encryption to keep your personal information safe and secure.
• Provides 24/7 U.S.-based support – Access round-the-clock customer support for any log-in assistance you may need. Visit help.id.me for more information.
• Meets federal standards – ID.me meets the requirements for Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Early Access Identity Verification

Q1: How long is the Early Access Period?

A1: Early Access participants will use the ID.me identity services from December 15, 2025, through February 13, 2026.

Q2: What is the validation criteria for Early Access?

A2: ID.me and FINRA will validate against your legal first and last name (exact match). 

Note: ID.me uses your legal name (first and last) to verify your identity by using the name on the document(s) you provide to verify your identity. The name used for your FINRA Entitlement Platform account must be your legal name for the information to match. If you did not use your legal name on your FINRA Entitlement Platform account, please contact your Super Account Administrator (SAA) or Account Administrator (AA) to update your name before ID.me validates your identity. When identity verification services are fully deployed after the Early Access period, the FINRA Entitlement Platform will use multiple identifiers to complete identity verification. This enhanced matching process will reduce issues caused by discrepancies between your FINRA Entitlement Platform information and your ID.me account.

Q3: Why has FINRA implemented ID.me?

A3: FINRA is mandating the use of identity verification through ID.me to meet certain standards to protect data and systems from being exposed to security vulnerabilities as required by federal and contractual obligations, and to evolve its cyber security controls to mitigate fraud. ID.me provides a NIST-compliant identity verification solution with Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) compliant credentials. IAL2 is a digital identity standard that requires users to provide evidence to prove their identity with a high degree of confidence. 

Q4: Will identity verification be mandatory for users of the FINRA Entitlement Platform?

A4: Eventually, yes. With the 2026 FINRA Entitlement Account Certification Period, scheduled to begin in May, all SAAs, AAs and users with entitlement to specific sensitive data will be required to verify their identity by meeting the FINRA identity verification requirement. Later in 2026, identity verification will be required for account recovery of all users.

Q5: Which sensitive data entitlements will require identity verification?

A5: Accounts with access to FBI fingerprint results, RAP sheet data, fingerprint-related data in reports and queues, and the ability to view Social Security numbers (SSNs).

Q6: How do I access ID.me from FINRA Gateway?

A6: You will be presented with a screen containing a button to ‘Continue to ID.me’ and be systematically transferred to ID.me.

Q7: I already have an ID.me account to access the Social Security Administration or IRS site. Can I use this account?

A7: Yes, a user only has one ID.me account. If you already have an ID.me account, you must use your existing credentials. Do not create a new account. If you accidentally create a new account, you must either merge the account or delete the duplicate account. If you do not have an ID.me account, you must create one when prompted.

Q8: What is the identity verification process if I already have an ID.me account?

A8: To complete your verification through ID.me if you have an existing ID.me account, log in to ID.me using your existing credentials. You'll need to confirm your identity by entering a verification code sent to your phone or by using the ID.me Authenticator app. Next, you'll be prompted to upload a selfie for identity confirmation. Once you've completed these steps, you'll need to allow ID.me to share your verified information with FINRA.

Q9: Will I need to install ID.me Authenticator on my phone before I first verify my identity?

A9: No, the ID.me Authenticator can be used to confirm your identity after completing initial identity verification through ID.me. For iOS devices, go to the App Store. For Android devices, go to Google Play.

Q10: How do I know if I have an ID.me account?

A10: You can login or recover any existing user from ID.me website. If you have an account, when you login it should display what ID.me partners you have connected your account to through ID.me. 

Q11: What email should I use when I create an ID.me account?

A11: When creating an ID.me account, use your personal email address rather than a work or organizational email. Here's why:

• Your ID.me account verifies your individual identity and is used for purposes outside your organization.
• ID.me uses your registered email for account recovery and credential verification.
• Using a personal email ensures you maintain access even if you change organizations.

Q12: Do I need to share my data with FINRA to complete my FINRA verification?

A12: Yes, once you complete the identity verification upload process with ID.me, you must ‘Allow’ for sharing of specific verification data and ID.me verification status with FINRA. 

Q13: What data will be transmitted to FINRA from ID.me when I complete my identity verification and select ‘Allow’?

A13: Your name, email, phone number and verification date time stamp will be transmitted to FINRA during Early Access.

Q14: I successfully completed my ID.me verification, but why did I receive a message indicating that there is an ‘Information Mismatch’ when I access FINRA Gateway?

A14: If you have completed identity verification with ID.me and received an Information Mismatch, then follow the instructions on the screen and ask your administrator to update your name on your FINRA Entitlement Platform account to reconcile with your ID.me information.

Q15: As an SAA, what is the easiest way to update my name?

A15: SAAs should use the Update/Replace workflow to update their name and/or email address. This workflow guides the SAA step by step through the request process. While most requests will process automatically once approved by an Authorized Signatory, there are circumstances that require a request to route to the FINRA Entitlement Group for review, research and validation prior to fulfillment. The workflow sends a corresponding email to the Requester and Authorized Signatory once it is completed.

Q16: Do users with organizations using single-sign-on (SSO) to access FINRA Gateway need to complete identity verification

A16: Yes, users with organizations leveraging SSO must complete identity verification to access to FINRA Gateway.

Q17: As a firm or service provider, do I need to verify my identify for each of my accounts? 

A17: Yes, you will need to create an ID.me account with your initial account login and for each other account, in scope, you will need to use your existing ID.me account to have your identity verified.

Q18: When will I be required to complete the identification verification steps in ID.me?

A18: Identity verification will be required: 

• for password reset;
• if a new account is created;
• if you leave one organization to join another organization; and
• every two years to comply with FINRA’s reverification requirements.

Q19: As a U.S. citizen, what do I need to complete the ID.me verification process? 

A19: You will need:

1. a smart phone with a camera;
2. a photo ID (U.S. driver’s license or state ID, U.S. passport, or U.S. passport card); and
3. your Social Security number.

At times, a Secondary Document is required. If so, you will need a Social Security card, utility bill or vehicle registration information.

Q20: What do I need to complete verification through ID.me Self Service (i.e., no video call or human intervention)?

A20: You will need:

1. a smart phone with a camera;
2. a photo ID (U.S. driver’s license or state ID, U.S. passport, or U.S. passport card);
3. your Social Security number; and
4. a live photo of your face with your camera.

Q21: As a non-US resident living in the USA, what do I need to complete the ID.me verification process?

A21: You will need:

1. a smart phone or computer with a camera;
2. a valid foreign (non-U.S.) passport or state issued driver’s license; and
3. a video call with ID.me to complete the identity verification process.

Q22: As a non-US citizen living internationally, what do I need to complete the ID.me verification process?

A22: You will need:

1. a smart phone or computer with a camera;
2. a valid foreign (non-U.S.) passport;
3. proof of your international address; and
4. a video call with ID.me to complete the identity verification.

Q23: My ID has expired. How can I verify my identity through ID.me:

• For standard verification: If your license expired recently (often within 12 months), upload the expired ID plus a photo of your valid temporary license or renewal confirmation from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• If rejected for being expired: Choose the "Expired U.S. State Driver's License" option in ID.me, upload the expired ID, then upload your temporary/renewal document.
• For other documents: If you have other valid IDs (like a passport or current state ID), use those instead as primary documents.

Q24: Is there a cost for an ID.me account?

A24:  There is no cost assessed to FINRA users for identity verification.

Q25: What tips or best practices are there for taking pictures with a phone?

A25: You can locate tips and best practices for taking pictures with your phone on the ID.me website.

Q26: I’m having issues creating or using my ID.me account, who can I contact for support?

A26:  Go to help.id.me to chat with ID.me’s virtual assistant or submit a help request in the ‘How Can We Help’ search bar. ID.me’s support team is available 24 hours a day and will respond to you as soon as possible.