How to Get a Gray Tick on Twitter

Seeing a gray checkmark next to a profile name on X (formerly Twitter) instantly flags it as an official source, but the process for getting one is specific and strictly controlled. This article breaks down exactly what the gray tick means, who is eligible, and the steps you need to take if your organization qualifies. We'll also clarify how it differs from the more common blue and gold checkmarks, giving you a complete picture of verification on the platform today.

What Your Color Says: Understanding the Gray, Blue, and Gold Checks

In the past, Twitter's single blue checkmark represented a verified account of public interest. Today, X uses a color-coded system to differentiate between various types of verified accounts, each with its own meaning and requirements. Understanding these distinctions is the first step in knowing where your profile might fit in.

The Gray Checkmark: The Official Seal for Government

The gray checkmark is reserved for government institutions, government officials, and specific multilateral organizations. Its sole purpose is to provide an unmistakable visual cue that an account is an authentic, official source of information from a governing body. You cannot purchase a gray checkmark, it is granted based on strict eligibility criteria to prevent impersonation and help citizens identify reliable government communications during critical events. When you see a gray check, you're looking at an account for a national leader, a government agency, a key diplomat, or a major supranational entity like the United Nations.

The Blue Checkmark: Subscription-Based Verification

The original mark of "notability" has transformed. The blue checkmark now signifies that an account is subscribed to X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue). While it does indicate that the identity of the user has been verified with a phone number, it doesn't imply endorsement from X or any specific level of influence or public interest. Anyone willing to pay the monthly subscription and meet basic profile criteria (like being active for over 30 days and having a profile picture) can get a blue checkmark. It offers access to premium features like longer posts, editing capabilities, and prioritized rankings in conversations.

The Gold Checkmark &, Square Avatar: A Badge for Businesses

The gold checkmark is for official business accounts that subscribe to X's Verified Organizations plan. Accompanied by a square profile picture instead of the standard circle, this verification level is designed for corporations, major brands, and non-profits. The high price point serves as a barrier to impersonation, ensuring that when you see a gold check next to a company's name, you can trust that it's the legitimate organization. Verified Organizations can also affiliate other accounts - like those of their executives or sub-brands - which then display a miniature version of the main account's square avatar next to their own checkmark.

Are You Eligible for a Gray Checkmark? A Full Breakdown

The gray badge is the most exclusive of the verification types because its eligibility is extremely narrow. It's not for influencers, journalists, celebrities, or well-known brands. It is strictly limited to certain government and multilateral entities. Here’s a detailed list of who qualifies.

National Government Accounts

This category forms the core of gray checkmark eligibility. It includes:

• Heads of State: Accounts for sitting presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs (e.g., @POTUS).
• Executive Offices &, Cabinet Members: The main institutional accounts for executive offices and the principal members of a national cabinet (e.g., @StateDept, @SecBlinken).
• Main Embassy &, Consulate Accounts: The top-level official accounts for a country's main diplomatic missions (e.g., @USEmbassyKyiv).
• Pivotal Government Bodies: Key legislative and judicial accounts at the national level.

State and Local Government Accounts

Eligibility extends below the national level to prominent entities within a country's structure:

• State-Level Executives: Official accounts for governors or equivalent state-level leaders in countries with a federal system.
• State-Level Executive Agencies: Official institutional accounts for major state or regional government bodies, such as state-level departments of transportation or health. City-level accounts may also qualify if they represent the official crisis management or public service channels for a major metropolitan area.

Multilateral Organizations &, Individuals

Accounts representing major international bodies that are established by formal treaties or charters between nations can also receive gray verification:

• Institutional Accounts: The main accounts of organizations like the United Nations, the World Health Organization, or the World Bank (e.g., @UN).
• Leadership Accounts: Official accounts of the heads of these multilateral organizations.

Essentially, if your account isn't directly representing a branch of government or a treaty-based international organization, you will not qualify for a gray checkmark.

The Step-by-Step Path to Requesting a Gray Checkmark

If your organization fits one of the categories above, you can proceed with the request. Unlike applying for X Premium, this process is less automated and relies on direct verification of your official status.

Step 1: Get Your Profile in Order

Before initiating any request, make sure your X profile is complete and professionally represents your organization. This is a non-negotiable first step.

• Authentic Branding: Your display name should be the full, official name of the entity or individual. Your profile picture should be the official government logo, seal, or a professional headshot.
• Complete Bio: Clearly state the account’s purpose and who it represents. Don’t stuff it with hashtags, make it a clear, concise mission statement.
• Link to an Official Website: The URL in your profile must link directly to an official government website (.gov, .gov.uk, .gc.ca, etc.) that corroborates the account's identity. This is one of the most important verification signals.
• Basic Profile Security: Ensure a secure password and have an official, government-issued email address tied to the account for communication and recovery.

Step 2: Proving You're Official

Because there isn't a simple "Apply Here" button that's publicly available, verification often happens through designated, official channels. Larger government entities typically have established points of contact with X, managed by staff who handle public affairs or digital communications. Their first step is often to reach out to their existing platform representative.

If you don't have such a contact, the pathway typically involves submitting a request through X's help center, specifically under a section related to impersonation or identity verification. In your submission, you'll need to clearly state:

1. The @handle of the account you want verified.
2. Your official position and the entity you represent.
3. The link to your official government website where the X account may be listed or referenced.
4. An official government email address for correspondence.

Sometimes, X proactively identifies and applies gray checkmarks to qualifying accounts, particularly for newly elected officials or newly established high-profile agencies. However, it's better to be proactive and initiate the request yourself if the checkmark doesn't appear.

Step 3: What to Do While You Wait

The timeline for gray verification can vary. Unlike the instant gratification of a blue check subscription, this process can take several weeks as it requires manual review by the X team. While you wait, continue operating the account as the authoritative source it is. Share official updates, engage with citizens professionally, and maintain the standards of an officially verified account. Your behavior and content on the platform should reinforce your claim for verification.

Step 4: Keeping Your Gray Checkmark

Once you’ve been verified, you must continue to follow X's rules to keep your gray check. Verification can be revoked for violations of platform policies. Additionally, significant changes to your profile - like changing your @handle or drastically altering the bio to something that seems unofficial - could trigger a re-review and potential removal of the badge. For individual accounts, the gray check is often tied to holding a specific office, once that person leaves their position, the badge is typically removed.

Credibility Cues: What We Can Learn From the Gray Checkmark

Most brands and individuals reading this won't qualify for a gray checkmark, but the principle behind it holds a powerful lesson. The gray check exists to solve one problem: quickly building trust and signaling authority. In a crowded digital space, users crave clear signals that tell them who to believe. While you may not get a gray badge, you can adopt the same strategies to build credibility organically.

Ask yourself: Does our profile look official? Is our branding consistent and professional? Do we have a complete bio with a link to our website? Do we post consistently and engage with our community like an authoritative leader in our industry? These are the foundational elements of trust, no matter what color checkmark you have - or don't have.

Building that kind of steadfast, credible presence on social media requires consistency. It’s about more than just a badge, it's about the daily work of planning your content, publishing reliably, and actively participating in the conversations around your brand. A disorganized or vacant-looking profile undermines credibility just as effectively as an impersonator does.

Final Thoughts

The gray checkmark on X is a very specific tool for identifying official government and multilateral accounts, distinct from the subscriber-based blue and business-focused gold checks. For qualifying organizations, securing one involves preparing your profile, navigating specific communication channels with X, and maintaining platform standards once verified. For everyone else, it’s a lesson in the power of visual trust signals.

Whether you’re building a brand, managing client accounts, or growing a personal profile, establishing that sense of trust is everything. A lot of that comes from a steady, well-managed content flow and being responsive to your audience. We built Postbase to make that consistency achievable without the chaos. With our visual content calendar, you can plan and see your entire strategy across all platforms at a glance, making sure every post aligns with your brand’s authoritative voice. It’s what we use to stay reliably present, building trust day in and day out.