The most common reasons for failing ID verification are poor lighting and glare. This guide provides a standard photography procedure for complete beginners. Start by opening the Binance Official Website and navigating to the KYC page. The Binance Official App also supports landscape photography for documents. For region-switching help, refer to the Binance App Download page. Below are the key points.
The Five Golden Rules of ID Photography
| Rule | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Flat Surface | Place the ID on a table; never hold it in your hand. |
| Lighting | Use natural light and avoid strong direct reflections. |
| Four Corners | Ensure all four corners of the document are within the frame. |
| Clarity | Ensure text, numbers, and the photo are all legible. |
| Plain Background | A solid, light-colored tabletop is ideal. |
Standard Photography Procedure
Step 1: Find a Flat, Dark-Colored Table
- Wood tables or dark panels work well.
- Light-colored tables may cause the document to "blend" into the background.
- Avoid glass or reflective surfaces, as they cause significant glare.
Step 2: Lay the Document Face Up
- Place it flat on the surface.
- Ensure the corners are not curled.
- Do not fold the document.
Step 3: Use Side-Angle Natural Light
- During the day, stand near a window and let the light come from the side.
- Do not face the window directly (causes glare on the document).
- Do not have the window behind you (causes shadows on the document).
Step 4: Keep Your Phone Parallel to the Table
- Shoot vertically downwards with the camera.
- Do not tilt the phone.
- Do not get too close (a distance of 30–50 cm is optimal).
Step 5: Focus Before Shooting
- Tap the document area on the screen to focus.
- Wait for the "Focus Complete" indicator before pressing the shutter.
- After shooting, zoom in to verify clarity.
How to Solve Glare Issues
ID cards have watermarks and coatings, making glare the #1 challenge:
Method 1: Avoid Frontal Light Sources
- Do not shoot directly under an overhead light.
- Do not face a window directly.
- Let the light hit the document at a 30-degree side-rear angle.
Method 2: Use Your Hand to Block Light
- Partially block the direct light source to reduce intensity.
- Allow only soft, diffused light to reach the document.
Method 3: Change Locations
- Try a different room.
- Window light on a cloudy day is often the softest and best.
Method 4: Take Multiple Shots
- Take 5–10 photos with slight angle adjustments.
- Choose the clearest one for submission.
Ensure All Information is Legible
Binance uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to read your ID. All fields must be identifiable:
- Name (every character must be clear)
- Gender, Nationality
- Date of Birth
- Address (every line must be legible)
- ID Number (all 18 digits or equivalent)
- Issuing Authority
- Validity Period
Blurriness in any of these fields can lead to rejection.
Photographing the Back (Seal/National Emblem Side)
The procedure for the back is the same as for the front. Ensure:
- The national emblem/seal is clear.
- The issuing authority is legible.
- The validity period is visible.
- The overall lighting is even.
Some KYC flows only require the front; follow the on-screen prompts.
What NOT to Do
| Error | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Holding the document in hand | Tilt, motion blur, and finger obstruction. |
| Shooting through a plastic sleeve | Severe glare and reflections. |
| Using "Beauty Mode" | Text may be smoothed out or blurred. |
| Using filters | Color distortion. |
| Using Photoshop | The system will flag it as a forgery. |
Tips for Different Mobile Devices
iPhone
- Use the native Camera app, not third-party ones.
- Turn off HDR (it can sometimes cause color shifts on documents).
- Turn off Live Photo to reduce background processing interference.
Android
- Turn off AI Beautification.
- Disable "Scene Optimization" or "Landscape Recognition."
- Use Pro/Manual mode to lock focus if necessary.
Network Upload Tips
When uploading your photos:
- Upload the original image, not a compressed version.
- Do not send it via messaging apps (like WeChat or WhatsApp) first, as they compress images.
- Upload directly from your gallery to the KYC portal.
File Formats
Binance generally accepts JPG and PNG:
- Size: 1–10 MB (too small might be blurry, too large might fail to upload).
- Resolution: 1920×1080 or higher.
- Avoid HEIC (some older systems do not support it).
Backup Solutions for Repeated Failures
If you fail repeatedly:
- Try a different device (e.g., a friend's iPhone).
- Change your lighting environment (different room or time of day).
- Try a different document (e.g., try a passport if your national ID fails).
- Contact customer support with the specific error message.
- Support may escalate your case to a manual review.
Analysis of Common Failure Cases
| Reason for Failure | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Glare/Reflections | 30% |
| Blurriness | 25% |
| Blocked Information | 15% |
| Poor Lighting | 12% |
| Tilted Angle | 10% |
| Other | 8% |
Following the methods in this guide can help you avoid the top 80% of common errors.
FAQ
Q: Can I use a scan instead of a photo?
A: No. Binance requires a photo of the physical document. Scans are often flagged as forgeries.
Q: Can I take the photo with the ID in its plastic sleeve?
A: The sleeve will cause glare. Remove the plastic sleeve before taking the photo.
Q: Will taking multiple photos trigger a risk warning?
A: Only submissions count. Taking many photos locally but submitting only one is perfectly safe.
Q: What if the colors in my photo look off?
A: Turn off filters, disable Night Mode, and use natural side lighting.
Further Reading
- What to prepare before Binance KYC: Checklist
- What to do if liveness recording fails: Recording guide
- Troubleshooting KYC review failures: Error guide