Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll need to verify your identity to send 1000 EUR or more. After your identity has been verified, you’ll be able to send up to 50000 EUR per transfer.

You can verify your identity in any of the following ways:

• During an online transfer
• Through video chat
• Through La Banque Postale

During an online transfer

You just need to do the following:

1. Log in to your profile and initiate a transfer of 1000 EUR or more. If you don’t have a profile yet, create one on westernunion.com or our mobile app.
2. Enter the required details and select Continue.
3. Confirm your details on the Complete your profile page and select Continue.
4. Provide additional identity information and select Continue.  
5. Choose a government-issued ID¹ to upload, enter its details, and select Next.
6. Review your transfer details and select Send.
7. Upload the document and select Upload.

You may also need to upload your credit or debit card details as a Proof of funds.

We may take 30 minutes or more to verify your identity. If we need additional information, we’ll request you to send it to id@westernunion.com

¹If you sent a transfer at a Western Union agent location before, please use the same government-issued ID that you used at the location.

Note: Before you upload a copy of your documents, be sure of the following:

• Your picture, signature, birthdate, expiration date, and any other important information are clearly visible.
• The information matches that on your Western Union profile.
• Your documents are in PDF or JPG formats.

Through video chat

To initiate identity verification by video chat, please do the following:

1. Log in to westernunion.com or go to our app.
2. Select the Profile    icon at the top right and choose Start verification now.
3. Select Computer and webcam or Smartphone as the medium of video chat.
4. Follow the instruction to complete the verification.

Note:

• Please enable access to your camera and microphone before you start the video chat. Also, keep your documents ready.

• We may take  around 4 hours to verify your identity. Once your identity verification is successful, we’ll send you a confirmation email.

Verify by La Banque Postale

1. Log in to La Banque Postale using your Western Union credentials. If you don’t have a profile with Western Union, you’ll be asked to create one.
2. After you log in, select Western Union and international transfers.
3. You’ll be prompted to verify your identity by uploading your government-issued ID.
4. After a successful verification, you’ll be able to send money.

If you can’t upload your documents for any reason, you can email them to id@westernunion.com. The verification process may take up to a few hours. After your identity is verified, you’ll receive a confirmation email. 

If we need additional information from you, we’ll request you to send it to id@westernunion.com.  

Please note that the documents should be sent as PDFs or JPGs. Also, be sure your documents are clear and easy to read.

1. If you already have a Western Union profile, you’ll be prompted to log in with your Western Union credentials. If you don’t have a Western Union profile, you’ll be asked to create one.
2. Make sure your personal details are correct.
3. To start sending money, you will be prompted to proceed to your ID verification.
4. Provide your valid ID details and upload a copy of your photo ID (JPG or PDF):
   • EU passport (classic and diplomatic)
   • EU/EEA national ID card (front and back)
   • FR residence or work permit (front and back)
   • FR emergency passport (titre de voyage)
5. Make sure all the personal information displayed onscreen is accurate prior to submitting the verification request.

Please make sure your documents are clear and easy to read, and your photo ID is valid and complete. Your information must match your Western Union profile. The signature on your ID or signature page (if applicable) must be visible.

If our upload tool doesn’t work for you for any reason, you may also email your documents to accountnameverification@wu.com.

The verification process may take up to a few hours. After your identity is verified, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

All financial institutions, including Western Union, are required to collect additional identity information to know their customers better. When we understand who is sending money to whom, we can help protect your money from being used for illegal activities.

Note: You must be at least 18 years old to send or receive money with Western Union.

We might ask you for additional details to verify your identity when sending money online. 

If you’re sending money from a Western Union agent location or need assistance processing your transfer, please bring any of the following photo ID documents to the nearest agent location:

• Passport (classic and diplomatic)
• EU/EEA national ID card
• EU/EEA residence permit
• FR emergency passport (titre de voyage)

You can provide any one of the following:

• Your passport
• Your EU/EEA-issued ID
• Your FR residence or work permit

• Your FR emergency passport (Titre de voyage)

• Log in to your Western Union profile. If you don’t have a profile yet, create one on westernunion.com or on our mobile app.
• If you are already a mobile app user, make sure your app is up-to-date.
• To start sending money, you will be prompted to start the ID verification process.
• Enter your personal details. Please make sure your name in your Western Union profile matches your ID document.

If you have sent money at a Western Union agent location before, please provide the ID details you used for your most recent money transfer at an agent location to expedite the ID verification process.

• You do not have to do anything while we verify the information in your profile. If additional information is required, we will contact you and ask you to upload a copy of any one of the following photo ID documents as JPG or PDF:
• • Passport (classic and diplomatic)
  • EU/EEA national ID card (front and back)
  • FR residence permit (front and back)
  • FR emergency passport – titre de voyage (front and back)

Please make sure your documents are valid, clear, and easy to read. Your information must match your Western Union profile and your signature on your ID or signature page (if applicable) must be visible.

If our upload tool doesn’t work for you for any reason, you may also email your documents to accountnameverification@wu.com.

We may also ask you to send additional documents:

• Proof of address:

If we ask you for a proof of address, please send us a copy of your electricity, gas, phone bill, or a bank or credit card statement.

• Proof of payments:

If we ask you for a proof of payments, please proceed as follows:

• For payments made with a credit or debit card: upload a picture of your credit or debit card. Make sure the picture includes:
• Your full name
• The last four digits of your card number
• Your bank name and logo
For payments made via bank transfer: upload a picture (JPG or PDF) of your transfer confirmation. Make sure the picture includes:
• The transfer date
• Your full name (first, middle and last names) as it appears on your ID document and in your Western Union profile
• The IBAN used to send a transfer
• Your bank name and logo

The proof of address you provide must be less than 90 days old and must contain:

• Your full name as it appears on your ID and in your Western Union profile
• Your home address as it appears in your Western Union online profile
• The company name and logo

The verification process may take up to a few hours. After your identity is verified, you’ll receive a confirmation email.