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 Identity Verification

• 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. Your middle initial or middle name is not included for FINRA identity verification purposes. The name used for your FINRA Entitlement Platform account must be your legal name for your identity to be verified with ID.me. 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 (e.g., full first name, hyphenated first or last name). 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: What is identity verification?

A3: Identity verification is a security process that confirms you are who you claim to be. It requires two things: a government-issued ID (such as a driver's license or passport) that can be authenticated against official records, and a real-time selfie that matches the photo on your ID. This two-step process ensures both that your identification document is legitimate and that you are the actual owner of that document.

Q4: Why has FINRA implemented ID.me?

A4: FINRA is mandating the use of identity verification 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.

Q5: Will identity verification be mandatory for users of the FINRA Entitlement Platform?

A5: Eventually, yes. With the 2026 FINRA Entitlement Account Certification Period, scheduled to begin in May, all SAAs, AAs and users with entitlement to view 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.

Q6: Which sensitive data entitlements will require identity verification?

A6: 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).

Q7: How do I access ID.me from FINRA Gateway?

A7: You will be presented with a screen containing a button to ‘Verify with ID.me’ and be systematically transferred to ID.me.

Q8: If my FINRA Gateway account times out after 30 minutes, will I need to verify my identity again with ID.me?

A8: No, identity verification is only required once but you will need to re-verify your identity every 2 years.

Q9: I already have an ID.me account to access the Social Security Administration or IRS site. Can I use this account?

A9: 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.

Q10: What is the identity verification process if I already have an ID.me account?

A10: 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 application. 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.

Q11: Will I need to install ID.me Authenticator on my phone before I first verify my identity?

A11: 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.

Q12: How do I know if I have an ID.me account?

A12: 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. 

Q13: What email should I use when I create an ID.me account?

A13: 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.

Q14: Can a security key that is used for multi-factor authentication through Duo be used to complete ID.me’s multi-factor requirement?

A14: Yes, the same security key can be used as the MFA method for both Duo and ID.me. Users with an existing security key can *add on* ID.me as their multifactor authenticator.

Q15: Do I need to share my data with FINRA to complete my FINRA verification?

A15: Yes, once you complete the identity verification upload process with ID.me, you must ‘Allow’ for sharing of specific data and verification status with FINRA.

Q16: What data will be transmitted to FINRA from ID.me when I complete my identity verification and select ‘Allow’?

A16: Your name, email, phone number and a verification date time stamp will be transmitted to FINRA during Early Access.

Q17: I successfully completed my identity verification, but why did I receive a message indicating that there is an ‘Information Mismatch’ when I access FINRA Gateway?

A17: 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.

If your name on your FINRA Entitlement account is your legal name, then you need to verify that your name is captured correctly on your ID.me account. If your name needs to be corrected in ID.me, you need to do the following:

• Login to ID.me
• Access your Profile to review your name
• In the Personal Profile section, select Update next to your Name
• Select Edit an error in my name and submit the correction
• Consent to ID.me Privacy Policy
• If requested, upload a photo of your driver’s license, state ID, passport or passport card
• Select Continue

ID.me will email you when the correction is complete. It may take up to 3 business days and may take longer during high request volumes.

Q18: As an SAA, what is the easiest way to update my name?

A18: 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.

Q19: How can I confirm that my name has been captured correctly in ID.me?

A19: It is very important that you take time to review the information that ID.me presents to you when you verify your identity. It may be that your name was captured incorrectly (e.g., first name and middle name together as first name). If the information captured incorrectly, update the information so it accurately reflects your legal name.

Q20: Do users with organizations using single-sign-on (SSO) to access FINRA Gateway need to complete identity verification

A20: Yes, users with organizations leveraging SSO must complete identity verification to access their FINRA Entitlement accounts.

Q21: As a firm or service provider, do I need to verify my identity for each of my accounts? 

A21: Yes, you will need to create or use your ID.me account with each in-scope FINRA Entitlement account. If you need to create an ID.me account, you will leverage the ID.me account you created to complete identity verification for subsequent accounts.

Q22: When will I be required to complete the identification verification steps in ID.me?

A22: Identity verification will be required:

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

Q23: Can I complete identity verification through ID.me without a smart phone?

A23: Yes, you can complete identity verification without a smart phone. Identity verification can be completed by a video call or through an in-person appointment at an ID.me location.

Q24: As a U.S. citizen, what do I need to complete the ID.me verification process?

A24: You will need:

1. a smart phone (preferred) or a laptop 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.

Q25: What do I need to complete identity verification through ID.me Self Service (i.e., no video call or human intervention)?

A25: 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, selfie photo of your face with your camera.

Q26: As a non-US resident living in the USA, what do I need to complete the ID.me verification process?

A26: 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.

Q27: As a non-US citizen living internationally, what do I need to complete the ID.me verification process?

A27: 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.

Q28: My state-issued driver’s license or identification card expired, can I still verify my identity through ID.me?

A28: You can use your expired driver’s license or identification card as evidence to prove your identity through ID.me. Depending on individual circumstances, you may be able to complete identity verification through standard verification or upload additional documents.

• 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.

Q29: Is there a cost for an ID.me account?

A29:  There is no cost assessed to FINRA users for identity verification.

Q30: What tips or best practices are there for taking pictures with a phone?

A30: You can locate tips and best practices for taking pictures with your phone on the ID.me website.

Q31: I’m having issues creating or using my ID.me account, who can I contact for support?

A31: 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.