Amazon KDP has recently introduced a new Identity Verification process aimed at enhancing security and trust within its platform. Here’s what authors and publishers need to know about this latest update.
What is KDP Identity Verification?
Starting today, KDP authors and publishers may be required to submit a photo of their government-issued ID. According to Amazon, this move is part of Amazon KDP’s effort to maintain a secure and trustworthy publishing environment. The new verification process is designed to protect the platform from fraud and abuse. By verifying identities, KDP hopes to ensure a safer environment for both authors and readers.
How Does It Work?
Amazon recommends going through identity verification on a mobile device, as it’s easier to upload a photo from your phone or tablet.
Here’s a brief overview of the process:
- Log into KDP. Under Your account, go to Your identity. Some authors may see an “Identity Verification Required” banner on their KDP account or receive an email notification.
- Enter or review your information (e.g. full name, address, date of birth). The name on your account should match your ID.
- Save your information if you made changes.
- Click Verify identity.
- Select an ID type and the country that issued the ID.
- Upload the required photos of your ID.
- Submit for verification.
FAQs
Will all KDP authors and publishers need to submit ID?
Currently, only some authors and publishers are required to complete Identity Verification. This requirement will gradually expand to include more authors. It is unclear at this time how authors and publishers are being selected for verification.
What counts as an acceptable ID?
You can look up your country and the corresponding allowed IDs here.
The following are acceptable IDs for the United States:
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Permanent resident card
- Work permit
- Visa
A passport is an acceptable form of ID for all other countries.
How long does verification take?
According to Amazon, verification will only take a few minutes. Amazon will notify you once your verification is complete.
What if my identity verification fails?
If your identity verification fails, it’s often due to common errors. Here’s a quick summary of potential issues and how to resolve them:
- Country or ID Type Mismatch: Ensure the country and ID type you select match the ID you upload.
- Expired ID: Use a valid, unexpired ID.
- Name Mismatch: The name on your ID must match your KDP account name.
- Blurry Photo or Glare: Retake the photo ensuring it’s clear, in focus, and free from glare.
- Incomplete ID: Make sure the entire ID, including the barcode, is visible and includes both front and back photos.
- Age Requirement: If under 18, have a parent or guardian submit their ID.
For a detailed table of common mistakes and fixes, visit this Help article.
What happens if I don’t complete or fail identity verification?
According to Amazon KDP’s new identity verification terms, completing this process is mandatory if requested. If you do not finish the verification within the given timeframe or if your identity verification fails, Amazon may take action on your account. This can include closing your account.
How is the author’s privacy and data protected?
According to Amazon, all personal information is handled according to Amazon’s Privacy Notice. In addition, Amazon claims that all identity documents are deleted after the verification process.
What if I write under a pen name?
Authors who use pen names must verify their real identity. According to Amazon, your current legal name should be entered within the Your account > Your identity page to verify your identity. It is still unclear how this is going to work in practice as some authors use their pen name on their tax and business documents as well. We will update this with more information as soon as we have it.
What if my account name changes or is different from my ID?
Right now, the name on your KDP account must match the name on your ID.
- For individuals: If your legal name has changed but your ID hasn’t been updated, use the details from your current ID for verification. Once your ID is updated, update your identity details on KDP and re-verify.
- For individuals using pen names: You can publish under a pen name, but your legal name must be entered in the “Your account > Your identity” page for verification. Enter your pen name in the author field when creating a book.
- For businesses: If the authorized representative for your business changes, update the representative’s details on the “Your account > Your identity” page and verify the new representative’s identity.
What if I don’t verify my identity?
Authors unable to verify their identity can pursue an appeals process. Failure to verify may result in account closure and removal of titles from sale.
How does this address piracy and scams?
The verification process aims to reduce fraudulent activities by ensuring the legitimacy of account holders. While not a complete solution to piracy, this would add a security layer.
Why is this being implemented now?
Our best guess is that this initiative aims to combat the rise of fraudulent activities and AI-generated content, ensuring a better experience for legitimate authors and readers.
Concerns We’re Seeing from Authors
Authors have started discussing this change in forums this week and these are the main concerns being raised:
- Privacy and Security: Many authors, especially those with a background in security, worry about the handling and deletion of their sensitive information. KDP states that all documents are deleted after verification.
- International Authors: Authors outside the US are curious about acceptable forms of ID and compliance with local data regulations. Based on the info from KDP, a passport seems to be an acceptable form of ID for every country.
- Pen Names and Business Entities: Authors using pen names or operating under business entities are concerned about how the verification process will work for them. This is a valid concern and we hope to have more info on how this will work in the coming weeks.
- Previous Verifications: Some authors question why additional verification is needed when tax information was previously submitted.
Final Thoughts
We understand that change can be challenging and additional administrative tasks may seem burdensome. However, ensuring the security of your KDP account is a high priority. While it may be an inconvenience, completing the identity verification process is essential for those who wish to keep their KDP accounts secure and operational. This is a new process and we’ll update our info as we learn more. To help fellow authors, please share your experiences in the comments.
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Sorry, but must be really stupid! What the hell does “KDP” mean?
Hi, Leighton! Not stupid at all! KDP is short for Kindle Direct Publishing.
I’m encouraged to see validation come to the process of authorship.
Thank you!
Perhaps Amazon should also start “verifying” some of the people who post reviews — and some of the reviews themselves. I have been waiting for MONTHS trying to get response about a one-star review posted by someone who did NOT read the books: <> [Duh? If it wouldn’t open, how did he read it, and why is he permitted to give it a one-star review?]
WTF!
I went through this with Google a few years back. Now I do no turn Google ADs on YouTube anymore. I couldn’t prove I was real and human, so Google cancelled that account.
About the time that “prove you are you” request showed up from Google, my only good digital camera had fallen off a chest of drawers and broke. To buy another would cost me north of $500.
I didn’t have another camera. And my mobile phone is a flip phone that is a nightmare to use. I keep it turned off 99% of the time because the battery empties in a day or two if I leave it on. I’ve never used the camera and that crap phone.
So, not wanting a new mobile, I bought a new, cheap digital camera on Amazon that took horrible photos.
Still, I took that photo of my California DL, but Google rejected it because the image was blurry. Then Google demanded I get the IRS to write a letter proving I was the real me.
Really, it’s almost impossible to find a human to talk to at the IRS, let alone get them to write latter to verify you are real.
So, I rejected Goolge and stopped running ADs they were making a lot of money on and I do not plan to reactivate taht Google AD account in the future.
But Amazon KDP is a whole another deal. I published my first book on Amazon KDP back in January 2009. AIs pretending to be humans didn’t exist then.
My books’ lifetime royalty earnings an Amazon are more than $50k from more than 68k units processed, and more than a million KU page reads.
I don’t want to lose my Amazon KDP account because of a blurry photo of my California DL.
I don’t know if this helps, but as a UK national living in Europe, I have to send Amazon (as a customer, not an author) a PDF/Jpeg of my passport. It helps customs officials. If you have a passport, then that could be an option. Just scan in your passport, or ID. If you don’t have a scanner, then a visit to a printer might be necessary. I wouldn’t use a photo from a phone either!
This is total BS. and just a concocted excuse for Amazon to collect more personal data about us. So much of it reads “according to Amazon”, etc. Who is going to police this? They have way more than enough personal information about us. All they need is our name, email address and bank account. There is no need for anything more.
Do you honestly believe that Amazon will delete our ID? Hell NO! It’s big brother for the government. I don’t trust anything Amazon says. I will consider pulling my books off of Amazon.
Annoying! I no longer have a passport, and I doubt they’re going to accept a New Zealand driving license. However, anything that helps keep money in the hands of authors instead of scammers has to be worth a try.
“While not a complete solution to piracy…” How does this address piracy at all?
I assume my publisher will sort that out as he has the access to KDP. I don’t, annoyingly.
In some European countries such as France, official ID documents for women – passport, driving licence, ID card – are issued for the bearer’s maiden name, not the married name she goes by. This is the case for me; my author name is my married name. What to do in this eventuality?
Very useful, thanks, I didn’t know about this. I wish they’d prioritize penalisation of crappy self-published nonsense, however, and you know the type of thing I’m talking about (33 pages pasted from Wikipedia).