Binance's KYC (Know Your Customer) identity verification is a prerequisite for using most features, including fiat deposits and withdrawals, increasing trading limits, and participating in specific events. However, many users encounter various failures during the KYC process, such as rejected document photos, incomplete facial recognition, or mismatched information. A KYC failure does not necessarily indicate an issue with the account; in most cases, it is due to submitted materials not meeting system recognition requirements or overlooked details during the process. Before starting, ensure that you have registered a legitimate account on the Binance official website and installed the latest version of the Binance Official APP. The KYC process on the APP is generally smoother than on the web, especially for facial recognition which requires access to the mobile front camera. For Apple users who haven't installed it, refer to the iOS installation tutorial first. This guide provides a detailed explanation of potential issues in each stage of KYC and offers tips to help you pass verification on your first attempt.
Understanding Binance KYC Verification Levels
Verification Level Descriptions
Binance KYC verification is typically divided into the following levels:
- Verified: Requires basic information such as name, date of birth, and residential address, along with ID document photos. Completion allows for higher trading and withdrawal limits.
- Verified Plus: Based on the Verified level, this requires proof of address (e.g., bank statements, utility bills). Completion further increases limits.
- Enterprise Verification: For corporate users, requiring business licenses and other corporate qualification documents.
Required Materials
Prepare the following materials before starting:
- Identity Documents (Choose one):
- ID Card (Front and back)
- Passport (Information page)
- Driver’s License (Front and back)
- Selfie/Facial Recognition: Requires cooperation from the user.
- Proof of Address (Required for Verified Plus): Bank statements, utility bills, or government-issued proof of address from the last 3 months.
Document Photography Tips
Common Reasons for Rejection
The system typically rejects document photos for the following reasons:
- Blurry Photos: The camera failed to focus, resulting in illegible text.
- Insufficient Lighting or Overexposure: Too dark to see information, or reflections obscuring parts of the document.
- Obscured Documents: Fingers covering critical information on the document.
- Document Too Small: The document occupies too small a portion of the frame for the system to recognize text.
- Incomplete Document: The photo does not capture the full borders of the document.
- Use of Copies or Screenshots: Original physical documents must be photographed.
Environmental Preparation
- Lighting: Choose an environment with sufficient light but no direct sunlight. Indoors near a window with natural diffused light is optimal.
- Background: Place the document on a solid, dark background (e.g., a black or dark blue tabletop) to avoid patterns interfering with system recognition.
- Stability: Place the document flat on the table and hold the phone steadily to take a top-down photo. Avoid holding the document by hand, as hands may obscure information and cause shaking.
ID Card Photography Points
Front Side (Photo side):
- Ensure name, gender, nationality, date of birth, address, and ID number are all clearly legible.
- The document photo itself must be clear (facial recognition sometimes compares with the ID photo).
- The document should occupy 70%-80% of the frame, with small margins around the edges.
- Do not use flash, as it causes severe reflections.
Back Side (Validity side):
- Ensure the issuing authority and expiration date are clearly legible.
- Verify that the document is within its validity period; expired documents will not pass.
Passport Photography Points
- Turn to the information page (with the photo and personal details).
- Lay the passport flat, using weights to gently hold down the corners if necessary (do not obscure information areas).
- Ensure the MRZ code (the two lines of machine-readable characters at the bottom) is complete and clear.
- The MRZ area is particularly important as the system reads this via OCR.
Driver’s License Photography Points
- The front must clearly display the name, license number, vehicle class, etc.
- Note that plastic covers on driver’s licenses may cause reflections; adjust the angle accordingly.
- Driver’s licenses from certain countries/regions may not be accepted; ID cards or passports are preferred.
Facial Recognition Tips
Common Reasons for Failure
- Insufficient Lighting: Face is too dark for the camera to capture enough facial features.
- Strong Light or Backlighting: Face is overexposed or silhouetted.
- Obstructions: Reflective glasses, masks, hats, etc., obscuring the face.
- Significant Difference from ID: Heavy makeup, major changes in facial hair, or drastic hairstyle changes.
- Dirty or Blurry Camera: Smudges or scratches on the front camera.
- Incomplete Actions: Failure to perform required movements (e.g., blinking, head turning) smoothly or correctly.
Environmental Preparation
- Lighting: Face the light source (e.g., window or lamp) to ensure even and bright lighting. Do not have the light source behind you.
- Background: Choose a solid, light-colored background (e.g., a white wall) to avoid clutter.
- Distance: Hold the phone approximately 30-40 cm in front of your face.
- Angle: Ensure the phone is parallel to your face; avoid high or low angles.
Facial Recognition Operation Points
- Clean the Camera: Wipe the front camera with a soft cloth to remove smudges and fingerprints.
- Remove Obstructions: Take off glasses, hats, masks, headphones, etc. Contact lenses are usually acceptable.
- Maintain a Natural Expression: Avoid forced smiles or exaggerated expressions; stay relaxed.
- Follow Action Prompts: If prompted for specific actions (blinking, opening mouth, turning head), complete them slowly and clearly.
- Stay Steady: Do not move the phone or your body during recognition; remain still for 3-5 seconds.
- Avoid Major Discrepancies: If your ID photo was taken many years ago and your appearance has changed significantly, you may need to update your ID before verification.
Handling Repeated Failures
If facial recognition fails multiple times:
- Retry in an environment with better lighting.
- Wait a few hours before trying again (the system may have frequency limits).
- Try using a different device (another phone or a computer with a webcam).
- If automated recognition consistently fails, contact Binance customer service for manual review.
Common Information Entry Errors
Name Entry
- Chinese Name: Must match the ID exactly; do not use nicknames or English names.
- Pinyin/English Name: If required, follow the Pinyin on the passport (Surname first, Given name last, or as specified by the system format).
- Traditional vs. Simplified: If the document uses Traditional Chinese characters, enter them exactly as shown.
Date of Birth
- Formats are typically DD/MM/YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY; follow the system prompt.
- Must match the document exactly.
Residential Address
- Enter your current actual residential address.
- For Verified Plus, the address on the proof of address must match the one entered here.
- It does not necessarily have to match the address on the ID card (which is often the registered permanent residence).
Document Number
- Double-check for accuracy.
- Chinese ID numbers are 18 digits (the last may be 'X').
- Distinguish between the number 0 and letter O, and number 1 and letter I.
Common Issues by Verification Level
Verified Level Rejection
Common reasons for rejection at the basic level:
- Unclear Document Photo: Retake with better clarity.
- Expired Document: Use a valid document.
- Mismatched Information: Carefully check name, document number, and date of birth.
- Unsupported Document Type: Use an ID card or passport instead.
- Detected "Refilling" or Digital Copy: Do not take photos of a document displayed on a screen; it must be the physical original.
Verified Plus Rejection
Additional reasons for Verified Plus rejection:
- Invalid Proof of Address: Must be within the last 3 months and show your name and address.
- Address Mismatch: Ensure the document address matches the residential address provided to Binance.
- Unaccepted Document Type: Bank statements, utility bills, and telecom bills are usually accepted, but informal documents may not be.
Post-Verification FAQ
Verification Review Time
- Automated reviews usually complete within minutes.
- Manual reviews may take 1-7 business days.
- Review times may be longer during peak periods (e.g., high new user volume).
Modifying Verification Information
Once verified, information typically cannot be modified directly. If your name or document number changes (e.g., legal name change), you must contact Binance customer service to submit a change request.
Requests for Additional Materials
Occasionally, Binance may request additional materials during or after the verification process. This is usually because the system detected certain risk signals. Common additional requirements include:
- A selfie holding your identity document.
- A handwritten signed statement.
- Video verification.
Following the specific instructions provided by Binance for these materials will usually lead to successful verification. For special cases that cannot be resolved independently, submitting a ticket via the online customer service in the Binance APP or the support center on the official website is the most effective approach.