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verification · Last verified: 2026-10
My passport verification keeps failing — what am I doing wrong?
Almost always a photo quality issue. Glare on the passport laminate is the #1 cause. Take the photo on a dark surface in even, indirect light.
Step by step
- 1Lay the passport flat (open to the photo/details page) on a dark, non-reflective surface like a table or dark cloth.
- 2Use indirect daylight — near a window but not in direct sunlight. Avoid holding a light directly over the passport.
- 3Make sure all four corners of the page are visible and nothing is cropped.
- 4Keep the camera parallel to the page to avoid distortion.
- 5Ensure the text is sharp — zoom or move closer if needed, but don't get so close that edges crop out.
- 6After uploading, wait a few minutes — OCR verification is usually fast but can queue.
Common mistakes
- !Make sure the name on the verification matches your card exactly — middle names count.
- !Don't attempt verification more than 4–5 times in quick succession. Repeated failures can trigger a temporary lockout.
- !The photo page is the one with your face and details. Not the visa page, not the back cover.