Practical tips for preparing a valid government ID for Starkworth's Account Owner verification, avoiding the most common delays.
A little preparation makes identity verification faster and smoother. Use a current, unexpired, government-issued photo ID — a passport, driver's license, or national ID card are the most reliable options. Make sure the document is undamaged and all text is clearly legible; blurry or cropped photos are the most common reason verification takes longer than expected.
Every prospective Account Owner, especially anyone who wants to move through onboarding as quickly as possible.
Most verification delays aren't caused by anything complicated — they're caused by avoidable document-quality issues. A few minutes of preparation now saves days of back-and-forth later.
Preparation itself takes minutes, but getting it right the first time is what keeps the overall verification and screening timeline short — see How Does Identity Verification Work for how this step fits into the wider process.
There's no cost associated with document preparation or submission — it's part of the standard onboarding flow.
If you're unsure whether your specific document will be accepted (an older ID format, a name recently changed, a non-Latin script), ask Support before you submit rather than finding out after a delay.
Illustrative example — not a real customer case study
An Account Owner initially submits a photo of their ID that's slightly blurry, causing a delay. On resubmission, they use better lighting and hold the document flat against a plain background, and verification completes without further issue.
Blurry or cropped photos where text isn't clearly legible — this is by far the most common cause of delay.
Check with Support if your document is in a non-Latin script or a language other than English, to confirm any specific requirements.
No — use a current, unexpired document; raise renewal timing issues directly with Support if this affects you.
Either works as long as the result is clear and undamaged-looking — good lighting matters more than the specific device used.
Flag this with Support before submitting so it isn't automatically treated as a mismatch.
Yes — since verification is paired with live screening, also prepare your environment: good lighting, quiet space, and a stable connection.
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