What a Meta Verified badge actually is
A Meta Verified badge is a small blue checkmark that appears next to your name on Facebook (and Instagram, if you use it). It tells other people that Meta has confirmed you are who you say you are. The badge costs money — Meta charges a monthly subscription, and the price varies by country and whether you use it on one platform or both.
This is different from the old free blue checkmark that Facebook used to give to public figures, celebrities, and verified organizations. That system is gone. Now, anyone can pay for verification. The badge does not give you special powers or reach — it is purely a way to prove your identity to other users.
Key Takeaways
- Meta Verified is a paid monthly subscription that adds a blue checkmark next to your Facebook name after Meta confirms your identity.
- You must be at least 18 years old, have a real government ID, and provide a phone number that Meta can verify before you can subscribe.
- The monthly cost varies by country and ranges from roughly $10 to $15 USD equivalent, and you pay through the same payment method you use for other Facebook purchases.
- Meta checks your ID and phone number when you sign up, and again randomly afterward, so you must keep both current or risk losing the badge.
- The badge appears on your profile and next to your name in comments and posts, but it does not protect you from scams, hacking, or impersonation by others.
Who can get a Meta Verified badge
You must meet three hard requirements. First, you must be at least 18 years old. Second, you must have a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, national ID card, or similar document that Meta's system can read. Third, you must have a phone number that you can receive text messages on, and Meta will send a verification code to that number.
Your Facebook account itself must be in good standing. If you have been banned, suspended, or repeatedly violated Facebook's rules, Meta will not let you subscribe. Your account also needs to have been active for at least 30 days before you try to sign up.
Meta does not require you to be famous, a public figure, or a business. Any individual person who meets the age and ID requirements can pay for the badge. However, if your account looks fake — if you have no profile photo, no friends, or a name that does not match your ID — Meta's system may reject you during the verification step.
How to sign up for Meta Verified on Facebook
Open Facebook on your phone or computer and go to your profile. Look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or a dropdown arrow on desktop) and select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." Scroll down to find "Meta Verified" or "Verification" — the exact wording varies by country and app version.
Tap or click "Subscribe." Facebook will show you the monthly price for your country and ask you to confirm. Then it will ask you to upload a photo of your government ID. Take a clear photo of the front of your ID in good lighting. Make sure the entire document is visible and readable. Do not crop or edit the photo.
Next, Facebook will ask you to take a selfie. You will use your phone's camera to take a photo of your face. Meta's system compares this photo to your ID to confirm you are the same person. The photo is deleted after verification — Meta does not store it.
After you submit your ID and selfie, enter the phone number you want to use. Meta will send a text message with a verification code. Type that code into the app. Once Meta confirms your phone number, you will be asked to choose a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or payment service like PayPal or Apple Pay, depending on your country.
Meta will charge you the monthly subscription fee when ready. Your badge should appear within a few minutes, though it can take up to an hour in some cases.
What happens after you get the badge
The blue checkmark appears next to your name on your profile, in comments, in posts, and in search results. Other users can tap or click the badge to see that you are verified. The badge renews automatically each month, and Meta charges your payment method on the same day each month.
Meta will occasionally re-verify you. You may receive a notification asking you to confirm your phone number again or to upload a new selfie. This can happen weeks or months after you first signed up. If you do not complete the re-verification within the time Meta gives you, your badge will be removed, though you will keep your subscription and can re-verify to get the badge back.
If you change your phone number, update it in your Meta Verified settings as soon as possible. If Meta tries to re-verify you and cannot reach the old number, your badge may be suspended until you complete the new verification.
Costs and payment details
The monthly cost varies significantly by country. In the United States, Meta Verified costs roughly $10 to $15 per month on Facebook alone, depending on whether you also want it on Instagram. In some other countries, the price is higher or lower. Meta displays the exact price for your country before you confirm your subscription.
You can cancel your subscription at any time. Go back to Settings, find Meta Verified, and select "Cancel subscription." Your badge will disappear when ready, but you will not be refunded for the current month. If you cancel and then want to re-subscribe later, you can sign up again using the same process.
If your payment method fails — for example, if your credit card expires or is declined — Meta will try to charge you again a few days later. If payment fails multiple times, your subscription will be canceled and your badge will be removed. You will need to update your payment method and re-subscribe to get the badge back.
What the badge does and does not do
The badge confirms that Meta has checked your ID and phone number. It does not mean your account is safe from hacking, that you are a real person in any legal sense, or that you are trustworthy. Someone with a verified badge can still scam, harass, or mislead other users. The badge is only proof that the person behind the account showed Meta a real ID.
The badge does not protect you from impersonation. Someone else can still create a fake account with a name similar to yours and try to trick people into thinking they are you. The badge on your real account helps people tell the difference, but it is not a complete defense against impersonation.
The badge does not change how Facebook's algorithm treats your posts, how many people see them, or how much reach you get. It is purely a visual marker of identity verification. It does not make you a "verified" user in the old sense, where Facebook gave special treatment to certain accounts.
Risks and things to watch for
When you sign up for Meta Verified, you give Meta a copy of your government ID and a photo of your face. Meta stores these for verification purposes and says it deletes the selfie after verification, but the ID information is kept in your account. If Meta's systems are breached, this information could be exposed. Consider whether you are comfortable with that risk before you subscribe.
Scammers sometimes impersonate verified accounts by creating lookalike profiles with slightly different names. A verified badge on your account makes you a more attractive target for impersonation because people trust verified accounts more. Be aware that if you become more visible or well-known after getting verified, you may see more fake accounts pretending to be you.
Meta's re-verification process can be inconvenient. If you lose access to your phone number or your ID expires, you may not be able to re-verify and could lose your badge. Keep your phone number and ID information current in your Meta settings to avoid this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Meta Verified badge without showing my real ID?
No. Meta requires a government-issued photo ID as part of the verification process. You cannot use a school ID, work ID, or any other document. If you do not have a valid government ID, you cannot get a Meta Verified badge.
What if Meta rejects my ID photo?
Meta's system may reject your ID if the photo is blurry, cut off, or hard to read. Try taking a new photo in better lighting, making sure the entire document is visible. If Meta rejects it again, the issue may be that your ID does not match the name or appearance on your Facebook account. Make sure your Facebook name matches the name on your ID exactly.
Can I use Meta Verified on multiple accounts?
No. Each Meta Verified subscription is tied to one Facebook account. If you have multiple accounts, you would need to pay for a separate subscription for each one. Meta's terms say you should only have one personal account anyway.
What happens if I move to a different country?
Your subscription continues, but the price may change based on your new location. Meta may also ask you to re-verify with a new ID from your new country. Contact Meta's support if you move and are unsure whether your subscription will continue.
Does Meta Verified stop someone from hacking my account?
No. The badge only proves your identity to other users. It does not add security to your account or make it harder for someone to hack. Use a strong password, enable two-factor authentication, and review your login activity regularly to protect your account from hacking.