What Is Verification and How Do I Get Verified? – Couchsurfing FAQs

Last Updated: August 12, 2026

Couchsurfing Verification: How to Get Verified

Want more responses from hosts and stronger connections on the road? Getting verified is one of the best ways to stand out and build trust on Couchsurfing.

It's a quick way to confirm your identity with a government-issued ID, and it only takes a couple of minutes. Once verified, you'll receive a Verification Badge that appears on your profile and across the platform, helping other members trust who they're connecting with. This article explains the verification process, accepted ID types, how long it takes, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Why Get Verified?

It shows you're who you say you are. The Verification Badge signals to other members that your identity has been confirmed. Hosts and travelers are more likely to respond to and trust a verified profile.

It makes a stronger first impression. Your Verification Badge appears on your profile and across your activity on the platform, so other members can see at a glance that you've taken the extra step.

It strengthens the community. A community built on real connections depends on real people. Verification helps keep the platform safe and trustworthy for everyone.

Getting Started with Verification

Where Can I Find the Get Verified Option?

You'll see prompts to get verified in several places across the platform:

The Get Verified banner in your Library
The Get Verified card in Complete Your Profile
Your profile
Settings
When sending or receiving a stay request
When viewing another member's Verification Badge (if you're not yet verified, tapping or clicking their badge will start the verification process)

No matter where you start, all of these lead to the same verification process.

How Do I Get Verified?

Here's the quickest way to start verification. The identity verification step is completed on the mobile app.

On mobile:

Tap Verify Now from any Get Verified prompt
Review the verification details and tap Continue
Complete the payment
Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the verification process

On the web:

Click Verify Now from any Get Verified prompt
Review the verification details and click Continue
Complete the payment
Scan the QR code with your phone to download or open the Couchsurfing mobile app
Open the app and go to the Library
Tap Finish Verification
Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the verification process

You'll receive an in-app notification once your verification is complete, and your profile will display a green Verified badge next to your name.

How Long Does It Take?

Automated checks usually take just a few minutes. If your submission needs additional review, it may take longer depending on support availability.

What ID Types Are Accepted?

You can verify using any of the following government-issued photo IDs:

Passport
Driver's license
National identity card

Your ID must be valid and not expired. Accepted types may vary depending on your region.

Troubleshooting Verification

Why did my Couchsurfing verification fail?

Couchsurfing verification can fail for several common reasons. These include submitting an expired ID, a mismatch between your date of birth on your profile and your ID, or poor photo quality during the ID or selfie capture.

If your verification fails, you will receive a notification. You can then contact the Couchsurfing support team to request a manual review. Submitting a manual review request does not guarantee a different outcome.

What if my name or date of birth doesn't match my Couchsurfing profile?

If you use a preferred name on your Couchsurfing profile, that is fine. As long as your ID is valid and belongs to you, your verification can still be approved.

Your date of birth must match your government ID exactly. Since your date of birth cannot be updated directly on the platform, you will need to contact the Couchsurfing support team to update it before starting verification if there is a discrepancy.

Is My Information Secure?

Yes. We've partnered with Entrust for secure ID verification. All identification documents and photos are encrypted and securely stored via Entrust only for the duration of your verification. Your information is used only to verify your identity. It is not shared with other members and is not used for marketing or advertising.

A Couple Things to Know:

The identity verification step is completed on the Couchsurfing mobile app. You can start the process and complete payment on the web, but you'll need a mobile device to finish.
Submitting a manual review request does not guarantee a different outcome.
You'll need to allow camera and microphone access on your device to complete the ID photo and video selfie steps.

Additional Questions

Is Couchsurfing verification mandatory?

Couchsurfing verification is not required to use the platform, but it is highly recommended. Verified Members stand out to Hosts and Travelers, receive more responses to stay requests, and help strengthen trust across the Couchsurfing community.

Verification is a separate add-on to your Couchsurfing membership. It adds a Verification Badge to your profile, showing other Members you are who you say you are.

Is my information secure during Couchsurfing verification?

Yes. Couchsurfing has partnered with Entrust for secure ID verification. All identification documents and photos are encrypted and securely stored only for the duration of your verification.

Your information is used only to verify your identity. It is not shared with other Couchsurfing Members and is not used for marketing or advertising.

How do I contact Couchsurfing support about verification?

If you need help with Couchsurfing verification, you can reach the support team through Settings → Contact Support in the app or by submitting a request through the Help Center. Couchsurfing support is available 24/7 by ticket or email only.

Need more help? Get in touch. You can also reach us anytime through Settings → Contact Support.