Frequently Asked Questions

Identity verification

Verify your identity

You’ll need to verify your identity to send 1 000 EUR or more. After your identity has been verified, you’ll be able to send up to 5 000 EUR per transfer.

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

  • During an online transfer
  • Through video chat
During an online transfer

You just need to do the following:

  1. Log in to your profile and initiate a transfer of 1 000 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
  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.

What are the acceptable documents for identity verification?

You can provide any one of the following:

  • Your passport
  • Your EU driving license
  • Your EU/EEA ID card
  • Your IT residence permit

Do we need more information from you?

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.

Do we need more information from you? 

 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.

What are the acceptable documents for identity verification?

You can provide any one of the following:

  • Your passport
  • Your EU driving license
  • Your EU/EEA ID card
  • Your IT residence permit

Identity verification

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 5000 EUR per transfer.

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

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:

  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.

Online Identification Process

ID verification is required when you send more than 1.000 EUR. Once your profile is verified, you’ll be able to send up to 5.000 EUR within a 3-day period.

Here is how it works:

Step 1: Choose Start verification in your profile.

Step 2: Follow the directions in the letter and fill out the confirmation form.

Step 3: Copy or scan both sides of your photo ID. Make sure your picture, signature, birthdate, and expiry date are visible.

Step 4: Sign and date the confirmation form. Your signature must match the one on your photo ID.

Step 5: Send all documents to Western Union:

  • By email: Save your scans as PDFs or JPGs and send an email with the attachments to id@westernunion.com
  • By mail:
    Western Union Processing Lithuania, UAB
    Online and Prepaid Customer Identification Unit
    Balcikonio str. 9C
    LT-08247 Vilnius
    Lithuania

Step 6: Log in to your profile to check your status. Verification may take several days. When it is complete, we will email you.

In the meantime, you can send money by visiting a nearby agent location.

*Please send us a COPY of your identification, not the original. Keep the original in a safe place.

Why do I need to verify my identity when sending money online?

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.