How to Get Verified on LinkedIn in 2026
In a digital world full of bots and fake profiles, trust is the new currency. That little verification badge next to your name is a signal to recruiters, clients, and colleagues that you are exactly who you say you are.
And it's completely free for everyone. You don’t need to correspond with a celebrity or pay for a premium subscript
What is LinkedIn Verification?
It's a confirmation that you are a real person working for a real company or attending a real school. It’s LinkedIn’s way of fighting fake accounts and building a safer professional community.
Unlike other platforms where "verification" might just mean you're famous, on LinkedIn, it means you've proven your identity via a government ID, your workplace email, or your educational institution. A verified badge builds immediate trust.
The 3 Types of LinkedIn Verification
There isn't just one "verification" button anymore. You can verify three different aspects of your professional life:
Identity: Confirms your legal identity (requires a government ID).
Workplace: Confirms your current employment (requires a work email or company device).
Educational: Confirms the university or school you attended (requires a student email).
Most people start with Identity Verification, as it’s the most universal. Let’s break down how to do each one.
Method 1: Identity Verification (The "I Am Real" Badge)
This is the most common verification method. It places a verification badge on your profile showing that you have confirmed your identity with a government-issued ID.
For Users in the US, Canada, & Mexico (via CLEAR) If you’ve ever flown through airport security, you might know CLEAR. LinkedIn partners with them to verify your identity securely.
What you need:
A valid Government-issued ID (Driver’s License, Passport, etc.).
A US, Canadian, or Mexican phone number.
Steps:
Open the LinkedIn Mobile App (this works best on mobile).
Go to your profile and tap More or the About this profile section.
Tap Get Verified.
You will be redirected to CLEAR.
Note: If you already have a CLEAR account, simply verify with a selfie. If not, you can create one for free just for LinkedIn verification.
Follow the prompts to take a photo of your ID and a quick selfie.
Once matched, your LinkedIn profile will be updated automatically with the verification badge.
For most global users (including the UK, Europe, etc.), LinkedIn partners with Persona.
What you need:
A valid NFC-enabled Passport (this is crucial; look for the small chip icon on the front).
A smartphone with NFC capability (most modern phones have this).
Steps:
On the LinkedIn Mobile App, go to your profile.
Tap on About this profile > Get Verified.
You’ll be guided to Persona.
Take a photo of your passport’s data page.
The Tricky Part: You will be asked to scan the NFC chip in your passport.
Tip: Remove your phone case. Place the top of your phone on top of your passport (front or back cover) and hold it still for a few seconds. It can be finicky!
Take a selfie to confirm it’s you.
Once processed, the badge appears on your profile.
For Users in India (via DigiLocker) : LinkedIn has a specific partnership with DigiLocker for Indian professionals. You can use your Aadhaar card to verify your identity instantly.
Method 2: Workplace Verification (The "I Work Here" Badge)
Want to prove you actually work at your company? This adds a specific verification to your current experience section.
Option A: Work Email (The Easiest Way)
If your company has enabled this feature:
Go to your profile and scroll to the Experience section.
Click on your current role.
Look for a prompt that says "Verify your employment".
Enter your corporate email address (e.g., yourname@company.com).
Enter the 6-digit code sent to your email. Done!
Option B: Microsoft Entra (Company ID)
If your company uses Microsoft’s Entra (formerly Azure AD), you might see a "Verify with your company ID" option. This usually involves signing in to your work account to grant permission.
Method 3: Educational Verification
Displaying your degree proudly? You can verify it if your institution supports it.
Navigate to the Education section of your profile.
Select your university or school.
If eligible, you will see a request to verify your degree.
Typically, this requires entering your student.edu email address to receive a confirmation code.
Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Verify?
Stuck? Here are the most common reasons verification fails:
Name Mismatch:
Your name on LinkedIn must match your legal ID exactly. If your LinkedIn says "Dan" but your ID says "Daniel", change your LinkedIn name temporarily to match, verify, and then change it back. The Button isn't There: Verification is rolling out in waves and isn't available for every single company or school yet. Make sure your LinkedIn app is updated to the latest version. NFC Scan Failing: This is the #1 complaint with Persona. Ensure your passport actually has a chip, remove your phone case, and try sliding the phone slowly over the passport cover until it vibrates. Expired ID: LinkedIn (and its partners) will not accept an expired driver’s license or passport. Is LinkedIn Verification Safe? It’s valid to be cautious about uploading your ID. However, the process is generally considered safe.
Data Minimization:
LinkedIn verifies the result (that you are you) but doesn't store your sensitive ID photos permanently on their public servers. Trusted Partners: CLEAR and Persona are industry leaders in identity security, used by airports and major financial institutions. Conclusion Getting verified on LinkedIn in 2026 is a low-effort, high-reward move. It takes about 5 minutes, costs nothing, and immediately signals to the world that you are a legitimate, trustworthy professional.
Ready to get that badge? Open your LinkedIn mobile app right now, head to your profile, and look for that "About this profile" button. Your future network is waiting.
