How to Get a Verified Badge on Facebook

That little blue checkmark next to a name on Facebook isn't just a status symbol, it’s a powerful signal of authenticity and credibility. While getting verified once seemed like an exclusive club for celebrities and global brands, the process has changed significantly. This guide breaks down the two distinct paths to getting a verified badge on Facebook and gives you actionable steps to improve your chances, whether you’re a public figure or a growing creator.

The Two Types of Facebook Verification: Legacy Badge vs. Meta Verified

First things first, it's important to understand that there are now two different ways to get verified on Facebook. They serve different purposes and have completely different eligibility requirements. Confusing the two is the fastest way to get your application rejected.

1. The Traditional Blue Badge (for Notability): This is the classic verification badge we’ve known for years. It’s a free but highly selective process designed to confirm the authenticity of public figures, celebrities, and global brands. The core requirement here isn't just proving you are who you say you are, it's proving you are notable. This means Facebook needs to see evidence that you're a person of public interest, often featured in credible, independent news sources.

2. Meta Verified (Subscription-Based): This is the new, paid subscription service aimed primarily at creators and individuals who want to build their presence. For a monthly fee, you get a verification badge after confirming your identity with a government-issued ID. This service is less about notability and more about providing account protection, direct support access, and confirming your identity. It’s Meta’s answer to helping smaller creators feel more secure and established on the platform.

Understanding which path you should pursue is the first step. Let's look at how to approach each one.

Path 1: How to Get Verified the Old-Fashioned Way (It's Free, But Tough)

The traditional legacy badge is tough to get and you can’t just request it because you want it. Your profile or Page needs to meet Facebook's strict criteria, which are often summarized by the acronym "NAUC": Notability, Authenticity, Uniqueness, and Completeness.

Are You Eligible? The "NAUC" Framework Explained

Facebook looks at these four pillars when evaluating a verification request. You have to check all four boxes - three isn't enough.

• Authenticity: You must represent a real person, a registered organization, or a legitimate business. Facebook will ask for official documentation to prove this, like a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport) for a person, or a tax document or articles of incorporation for a business.
• Uniqueness: Your Page or profile must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Generally, Facebook only verifies one Page or profile per entity. Exceptions are sometimes made for language-specific pages, but that's rare. This also means meme accounts, fan pages, or general interest Pages (e.g., "I Love Dogs") aren't eligible.
• Completeness: Your profile or Page can’t be a ghost town. It needs to be active and complete. This means you must have an "About" section filled out, a profile picture, a cover photo, and a history of recent posting activity. An empty or barely-used account will be instantly rejected.
• Notability: This is the biggest hurdle. Your Page or profile must represent a well-known, frequently searched-for person, brand, or entity. This is the fuzziest requirement, but it’s the most important.

Proving Your Notability: This is Where You Win or Lose

What does "notable" actually mean to Facebook? It means you have a significant public profile outside of Facebook. Being popular on Facebook alone is not enough. Facebook verifies accounts that are at risk of impersonation because they are well-known in the real world.

To assess this, reviewers look for one thing above all else: independent news coverage. They want to see that you or your brand has been featured in multiple, credible media outlets. And here’s the fine print:

• What counts: Feature articles in major national newspapers (The New York Times, The Guardian), stories on major TV news networks (CNN, BBC), cover stories in well-regarded magazines (Forbes, Variety), or profiles on high-authority digital publications (TechCrunch, The Verge). The coverage should be about you, not just a passing mention.
• What does not count: Press releases, paid or sponsored content, blog posts (even from popular blogs), your own website, or profiles on other social media platforms. The source must be independent and must have journalistic integrity.

The key takeaway is that you don't get verified to become notable, you become notable and then you get verified. Your efforts should be focused on building your public profile and securing high-quality press coverage first.

The Step-by-Step Application Process

If you feel confident you meet all four criteria, here's how to apply:

1. Find the Request Form: You can typically find the "Request Verification" form in your Page or profile's settings. The easiest way is to go to the Facebook Help Center and search for "request a verified badge." There will be a link to the form right there.
2. Choose What to Verify: The form will ask if you want to verify a Page or your personal profile.
3. Confirm Authenticity: Next, you'll need to upload a photo of an official document. For a person, this is a driver's license, passport, or national ID card. For a business, this could be articles of incorporation, tax filings, or a utility bill.
4. Confirm Notability: This is the most important section. You’ll need to:
   • Select a category for your Page/profile (e.g., creator, news/media, sports, gamer, business, etc.).
   • Specify the country or region where you or your organization is most popular.
   • In the "Links" section, provide up to five links to news articles that prove your public interest. Do not waste these slots. Pick your absolute best and most high-profile coverage. Avoid links to your own website, social media profiles, or any promotional content.
5. Submit and Wait: Once you submit, all you can do is wait. The review process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You will receive a notification about the decision. If you are denied, you can re-apply after 30 days. Don’t re-apply immediately, use that month to build your case with more press features.

Path 2: The New Way – Subscribing to Meta Verified

If the legacy path sounds like climbing a steep mountain, Meta Verified is more like a brisk walk. It's a paid subscription service designed for creators and individuals to build trust with their audience. It's currently being rolled out globally for personal profiles and creator Pages, with wider support for brand Pages expected in the future.

Who Can Get Meta Verified? The Requirements

The eligibility criteria for Meta Verified are much more straightforward and are not based on notability:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a public or private personal profile. (Creator Page support is expanding).
• Your profile name must match the name on your government-issued ID. Nicknames are generally not accepted.
• Your profile picture must clearly show your face.
• You need a history of recent posting activity.
• You must have two-factor authentication enabled on your account.
• You must meet Facebook's Terms of Use and Community Standards.

What Do You Get with Meta Verified?

This subscription is more than just a badge. The primary benefits include:

• A Verified Badge: Confirms your identity has been authenticated with a government ID.
• Proactive Impersonation Protection: Meta will actively monitor for fake accounts trying to impersonate you.
• Direct Account Support: You get access to a real human for common account issues - a huge benefit for creators.
• Exclusive Features: You may also get exclusive stickers for Stories and Reels, and other perks like Stars.

How to Sign Up for Meta Verified

The sign-up process happens directly within the Facebook or Instagram app.

1. Open the App: Go to the Facebook or Instagram mobile app.
2. Navigate to Settings: Tap your profile picture, then go to "Settings."
3. Go to Accounts Center: Find and tap on "Accounts Center."
4. Check for "Meta Verified": If the service is available to you in your region, you will see an option labeled "Meta Verified." If you don’t see it, you may be on the waitlist or it hasn't rolled out to you yet.
5. Set Up Your Subscription: If available, select the profile you want to verify. You'll be prompted to set up monthly payments.
6. Confirm Your Identity: You will need to take a photo of your government-issued ID and possibly a selfie video to confirm you are who you say you are. The names and photo must match your profile.

Once submitted, the review takes a couple of days. If approved, the badge and other benefits will appear on your account.

Tips for a Smoother Verification Journey (For Both Paths)

Whichever path you choose, a few foundational principles will improve your chances and protect you from scams.

1. Don’t Pay a Third Party for Verification

Outside of the official Meta Verified subscription, nobody can sell you a verified badge. Anyone DMing you or offering a badge for a fee is a scammer. The legacy verification process is free, and the only paid path is directly through Meta’s official interface.

2. Clean Up and Optimize Your Profile *Before* You Apply

Whether you're applying for the legacy badge or the subscription, reviewers will look at your profile. A professional, complete, and active presence makes a much better impression. Fill out every section, have clean and clear photos, and make sure you're posting valuable content regularly.

3. Build Your Presence Off-Facebook First (For Legacy Verification)

This point cannot be stressed enough. If your goal is the legacy badge, shift your focus from "how do I get verified?" to "how do I become a notable authority in my field?" Get interviewed on podcasts, contribute articles to industry publications, speak at events, and build a press kit. Your Facebook verification will be a byproduct of that success.

4. Be Patient and Don't Reapply Too Soon

If you're denied for the legacy badge, you must wait 30 days before reapplying. Don't waste the opportunity. Use that time to get one or two more high-quality press features to strengthen your next application. If something went wrong with your Meta Verified ID check, carefully read the feedback and try again with clearer photos.

Final Thoughts

Getting verified on Facebook now comes down to two clear choices: prove your public notability through media recognition for the traditional badge or subscribe to Meta Verified to authenticate your identity and gain account protection. One requires building a significant public reputation over time, while the other offers a direct path for creators and individuals seeking to establish credibility.

Building a notable, professional presence that feels verification-worthy requires steady effort and consistent engagement with your audience. We know that juggling content calendars and keeping your profile active can be a huge task. At Postbase, we built a simple, modern social media management tool to solve this exact problem, helping you plan, schedule, and engage without the chaos. Its visual calendar and rock-solid publishing for all major platforms help you present the consistent, professional brand that verification teams expect to see.