LinkedIn Verification: How to Get the Verified Badge

LinkedIn verification badges prove your identity, workplace, or education to build trust with your network. According to First Growth Agency, verified LinkedIn accounts receive 60% more profile views on average. The verification process is completely free and available to all LinkedIn users -- no premium subscription required.

Whether you want to verify your identity to prevent impersonation, confirm your workplace to strengthen your professional brand, or simply display that trusted checkmark next to your name, this guide walks you through every step of how to verify your LinkedIn account in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Three verification types: Identity, workplace, and educational institution
• Completely free: No premium or paid account required for any verification type
• Mobile app required: Identity verification only works via the LinkedIn mobile app (iOS or Android)
• Desktop users: LinkedIn redirects you to scan a QR code with your phone
• Processing time: Instant to a few days depending on verification type and region
• 60% more views: Verified profiles get significantly more visibility
• Privacy-first: LinkedIn never receives your biometric data -- third-party partners handle verification
• Optional and removable: You can add or remove verifications at any time

Types of LinkedIn Verification

According to LinkedIn Help, there are three different verification types available:

1. Identity Verification

Confirms you are who you say you are using a government-issued ID and facial recognition matching. This is the most common verification and the one that displays the recognizable checkmark badge on your profile. Identity verification uses trusted third-party partners -- CLEAR for users in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and Persona for users in 60+ other countries.

Shows: A checkmark badge on your profile confirming your identity has been verified.

2. Workplace Verification

Confirms you currently work at the company listed in your experience section. You can verify through your work email address or through Microsoft Entra Verified ID if your employer supports it.

Shows: A badge indicating your current employer has been verified.

3. Educational Institution Verification

Confirms you attended the school or institution listed on your profile.

Shows: A badge verifying your educational credentials.

Important (April 2026): According to McMillionConsulting, LinkedIn has paused new educational institution verifications as of 2026 while they refine the integration. Identity and workplace verifications remain fully available. Check LinkedIn's help center for the latest on when education verification reopens.

How to Verify Your Identity on LinkedIn (Step-by-Step)

According to Tech Insight Zone, here is the complete process to verify your LinkedIn account and get the identity verification badge.

Prerequisites

• LinkedIn mobile app (iOS or Android) -- identity verification is not available through web browsers
• Valid government-issued ID: Passport, driver's license, or national ID card
• Profile name must match your ID exactly -- including any secondary language profile name you have set
• If on desktop, LinkedIn will display a QR code for you to scan with your phone to continue

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Open the LinkedIn mobile app on your iPhone or Android device

Step 2: Tap your profile picture and select "View Profile"

Step 3: Look for the "Add Verification Badge" button directly under your name and headline

Step 4: Select "Verify your identity"

Step 5: Choose your verification provider based on your location:

• CLEAR -- For users in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. If you do not already have a CLEAR account, LinkedIn creates a free CLEAR account for you automatically. You do not need to pay for CLEAR membership.
• Persona -- For users in 60+ other countries. Persona requires an NFC-enabled passport for the fastest verification. Standard ID uploads are also accepted but may take longer.

Step 6: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete verification:

• Upload a clear, well-lit photo of your government-issued ID (front and back if applicable)
• Take a real-time selfie for facial matching -- the system compares your selfie to the photo on your ID
• Confirm your information is correct

Step 7: Wait for verification. CLEAR verifications are typically instant. Persona verifications can take 24 hours to a few days.

Tips for Successful Identity Verification

According to Leaders Social:

• Name must match exactly: The name on your government ID must match your LinkedIn profile name. This includes your secondary language profile name if you have one set. Remove credentials (MBA, PhD, MSc), emojis, or special characters from your name before verifying.
• Use good lighting: Ensure your face and ID are clearly visible without shadows or glare
• Hold ID flat: Keep your ID card or passport page flat and fully within the camera frame
• Remove glasses: Take off glasses for the selfie to avoid reflection issues
• Use valid, non-expired ID: Expired documents will be rejected
• Try again if needed: If verification fails the first time, you can retry immediately

Verifying from Desktop

If you start the verification process from a desktop browser, LinkedIn will not let you complete identity verification in the browser. Instead, it displays a QR code on screen. Open your phone camera, scan the QR code, and the LinkedIn mobile app will open directly to the verification flow. Continue the process on your phone from there.

How to Get Workplace Verified

According to SocialBee, workplace verification confirms your current employment. Unlike identity verification, workplace verification can be completed on both mobile and desktop.

Method 1: Work Email Verification

1. Go to your profile and find the verification section
2. Select "Verify your workplace"
3. Enter your work email address (must match the company domain)
4. LinkedIn sends a verification code to that email
5. Enter the code to complete verification

Method 2: Microsoft Entra Verified ID

If your company uses Microsoft Entra (formerly Azure AD):

1. Select the Microsoft Entra option
2. Sign in with your corporate credentials
3. Authorize the verification
4. Badge appears automatically

Workplace Verification Requirements

• Must have a current position listed on your profile
• Work email must match the company domain
• Company must have a recognized LinkedIn Company Page
• Verification applies only to your current role, not past positions

Verification by Region

United States, Canada, and Mexico

• Provider: CLEAR
• ID types accepted: Driver's license, state ID, passport
• Account requirement: A free CLEAR account is created for you if you do not have one -- no paid membership needed
• Processing: Usually instant

Other Countries (60+)

• Provider: Persona
• Fastest method: NFC-enabled passport -- hold your passport near your phone's NFC reader for near-instant chip verification
• Standard method: Upload photos of your passport, driver's license, or national ID
• Processing: 24 hours to a few days for standard uploads; near-instant for NFC passport

Privacy and Biometric Data

A common concern when verifying identity is what happens to your biometric data. According to LinkedIn Help, here is what you should know:

• LinkedIn does not receive your biometric data. The third-party verification partners (CLEAR and Persona) handle all ID scanning and facial matching independently.
• Partners confirm only a match result -- they tell LinkedIn whether your identity was verified, not the underlying biometric details.
• You can remove verifications at any time from your profile settings. Verification is entirely optional.
• Adding verification is voluntary -- LinkedIn does not require verification for any account type.

Benefits of LinkedIn Verification

According to Igniting Business, verification provides several measurable advantages:

1. Increased Profile Views

Verified profiles receive 60% more views on average. The badge signals authenticity and encourages people to engage with your profile.

2. Prevents Impersonation

Verification helps protect your professional identity from fake accounts using your name or image. This is especially important for executives, public figures, and anyone with a strong personal brand on LinkedIn.

3. Builds Trust

According to Qura, the badge acts as social proof, making connections and prospects more likely to trust you and engage with your content.

4. Improves Connection Acceptance

People are more likely to accept connection requests from verified profiles, knowing the account is legitimate and not spam or a bot.

5. Enhances Professional Credibility

The LinkedIn verified badge is especially valuable for:

• Job seekers wanting to stand out in competitive markets
• Consultants and freelancers building client trust
• Sales professionals reaching decision-makers
• Anyone building a personal brand or thought leadership presence
• Professionals who have optimized their LinkedIn profile and want maximum visibility

Common Verification Issues and Solutions

Issue: Name Mismatch

Problem: Your LinkedIn profile name does not match the name on your government ID.

Solution: Update your LinkedIn name to match your government ID exactly. Remove nicknames, credentials (MBA, PhD), emojis, or special characters. If you have a secondary language profile set up, that name must also match your ID. You can change it back after verification if needed.

Issue: Verification Failed or Selfie Rejected

Problem: ID photo rejected or selfie did not match the ID photo.

Solution:

• Ensure even, bright lighting with no shadows on your face
• Hold your ID flat and fully visible in the frame
• Remove glasses, hats, or anything obscuring your face for the selfie
• Avoid glare on the ID surface
• Make sure your ID is not expired
• Try again -- you can reattempt verification immediately

Issue: Provider Not Available in Your Country

Problem: Neither CLEAR nor Persona is available in your region.

Solution: Check LinkedIn's supported countries list periodically. LinkedIn continues expanding verification to new regions. As of April 2026, identity verification is available in 60+ countries.

Issue: Cannot Verify on Desktop Browser

Problem: You want to verify your identity but only have access to a desktop computer.

Solution: LinkedIn identity verification requires the mobile app. If you start on desktop, LinkedIn shows a QR code. Scan it with your phone camera to continue verification in the LinkedIn mobile app. There is no way to complete identity verification entirely from a desktop browser.

Issue: Company Not Recognized for Workplace Verification

Problem: Cannot verify workplace because the company is not on LinkedIn.

Solution: Ensure your company has an official LinkedIn Company Page. Contact your employer about creating one if it does not exist. The company page must be active and match the company listed in your experience section.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify my LinkedIn account?

Open the LinkedIn mobile app, go to your profile, and tap "Add Verification Badge." Select "Verify your identity" and choose CLEAR (US/Canada/Mexico) or Persona (other countries). Upload your government ID, take a selfie for facial matching, and wait for confirmation. The entire process is free and typically takes minutes with CLEAR or up to a few days with Persona.

Is LinkedIn verification free?

Yes, LinkedIn verification is completely free for all users. You do not need LinkedIn Premium or any paid subscription. If you use CLEAR for identity verification, a free CLEAR account is created for you automatically -- you do not need an existing CLEAR membership.

How long does LinkedIn verification take?

Identity verification via CLEAR is often instant. Persona verification with an NFC passport is near-instant. Standard Persona verification with photo uploads typically takes 24 hours to a few days. Workplace verification via email is usually instant once you enter the verification code.

What does the LinkedIn verification badge mean?

The LinkedIn verified badge indicates that LinkedIn has confirmed your identity, workplace, or education through a trusted third-party provider. For identity verification, it means your government ID matches your profile name and photo. For workplace verification, it confirms you work at the listed company. The badge builds trust and proves your profile is authentic.

Can I get verified without a premium account?

Yes. Verification is available to all LinkedIn users regardless of account type. Free account holders can verify their identity, workplace, and education exactly the same as premium members. The verification feature is completely separate from LinkedIn Premium.

Can I remove my LinkedIn verification?

Yes. You can remove any verification from your profile at any time through your profile settings. Verification is entirely optional, and removing it will not affect your account in any way. You can re-verify later if you choose.

Does LinkedIn see my biometric data?

No. LinkedIn does not receive your biometric data. The verification partners (CLEAR and Persona) handle all ID scanning and facial recognition independently. They only confirm to LinkedIn whether your identity was successfully verified.

Why can I only verify identity on the mobile app?

LinkedIn requires the mobile app for identity verification because the process involves taking a real-time selfie and photographing your ID using your phone's camera. Desktop webcams are not supported for this process. If you start on desktop, LinkedIn provides a QR code to scan with your phone.

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