Personal Finance

How to verify PayPal

Zorica Lončar

21.01.21 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 2 minutes

Thinking of using PayPal? There’s an initial sign-up process to follow, including verifying your account for security purposes. This is to verify your identity and help PayPal comply with the law.

Until your PayPal is verified, you won’t be able to use the service fully. You could face limits on sending, receiving and withdrawing money using PayPal¹.

In this guide, you’ll find out how to become a verified PayPal member in just a few easy steps.

Until your PayPal is verified, you won’t be able to use the service fully. You could face limits on sending, receiving and withdrawing money using PayPal¹.

In this guide, you’ll find out how to become a verified PayPal member in just a few easy steps.

How to verify a PayPal account with a debit card

Once you confirm your bank account, your PayPal account should be verified³. But you can also complete your profile and the verification process by linking and confirming a debit card.

To do this, sign into your account and head to the ‘Wallet’ section again. You’ll see an option to ‘Add a card’. Then all you’ll need to do is enter your card details and click ‘Save’.

Just like when confirming your bank account, PayPal will charge your card £1 and include a 4-digit code alongside it. Simply check the code on your card statement and enter it in ‘Wallet’ to confirm your card. The £1 will then be refunded within 24 hours.⁴

Can I verify a PayPal account without a bank account?

If you don’t have a bank account, you can still use PayPal but you’ll face strict limits on how much you can send and receive. PayPal says it must verify all accounts using bank accounts before they receive a total of £2,500 in their payment account within a year of getting their first payment.⁵

To lift these limits, you’ll need to open a basic bank account and use it to verify your PayPal account.

How to save money on international transfers

If you have funds in a different currency, it pays to look for other alternatives such as Wise.

Open a multi-currency account with Wise and you can verify your identity using photo ID and proof of address – you don’t need to provide bank account details.⁶

Once your account is open, you can start sending and receiving international payments right away. You’ll only pay low, transparent fees and you’ll always get the real exchange rate. This means it could also be much cheaper than using PayPal, as well as being easier to verify your account.

It’s the ideal option for freelancers wanting to get paid by international clients, and for small businesses too. But you can also use it to whizz money around the world to friends and family.

Get your multi-currency account today

If you have a bank account, it should be relatively quick and easy to use it to verify your PayPal account. Simply follow the steps in this guide and keep an eagle eye on your bank statement (or online banking) for that all-important verification code. You’ll be up and running in no time.

Sources used:

PayPal - withdrawal limits
PayPal - confirming bank account details
PayPal - withdrawal limits
PayPal - confirming debit and credit card
PayPal - removing limit
Wise - guide to getting verified

Sources checked on 12-January 2021.

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.