Does PayPal accept passports for ID verification in the US?

PayPal in the US does accept a foreign passport as an ID document, but only if the account holder already meets all the other US verification requirements (for example, providing a valid US address and confirming their taxpayer information when asked).

What PayPal Accepts for US Identity Verification

For users living in the US, PayPal usually asks for:

• A primary ID: A passport, US driver’s license, or state ID. A foreign passport is fine as long as the photo is clear and readable.
• Proof of address: PayPal does not use a passport for this. They need a US residential address, confirmed by a document like a bank statement, lease, or utility bill.
• Tax identification: If PayPal asks for your SSN or ITIN, you must provide it. A passport does not replace this requirement.

If You Already Meet All Other Requirements

If you already have a US address on your PayPal profile and your SSN/ITIN information matches your account name, then uploading a passport is usually enough to complete the ID part. PayPal mainly needs to match your identity to a real person; the passport handles that part, and your address or tax number handles the US-specific info a passport cannot provide.

Just make sure:

• The full passport page is shown: All borders visible, no glare.
• Name matches your PayPal account: Small spelling differences can trigger a rejection.
• Your address documents match the US address on your account: PayPal checks consistency.

Small but Important Notes

• A passport alone cannot verify your address. PayPal will ask for something else if they need proof.
• No VPN during uploads: It sometimes triggers security reviews or delays.
• If verification fails: Re-upload the document with better lighting. Most failures are due to unclear images, not passport issues.

If your passport is valid and the rest of your US information is correct, PayPal usually accepts it without trouble.