Contents:
1. How do I verify my ID?
2. Why do we need to verify your identification?
3. Is my information/identification secure
4. Which IDs are accepted?
5. Which countries are supported on Prolific?
6. I don't have my ID with me. Can I use a copy?
7. What if my camera doesn't work?
8. Tips for submitting your ID
9. What should I do as a UK resident using a Share Code to prove my residency status?
How do I verify my ID?
You can verify your ID from your Account page:
- Click Verify my ID, and you'll be taken to an Onfido webpage (Onfido is the software provider we're using to verify ID)
- Take a photo of your ID
- Take a photo of yourself
- Submit!
If you have any issues, please check these topics below:
- Which IDs are accepted?
- I don't have my ID with me. Can I use a copy?
- What if my camera doesn't work?
- Tips for submitting your ID
- What if I signed up using a researcher's URL?
Why do we need to verify your identification?
We ask you for ID verification to maintain the high quality and trustworthiness of our platform. This helps ensure that:
- Each participant is a real person with a unique account
- Researchers receive reliable, high-quality data for their studies
- All participants have fair and continued access to studies
For your security, please note that ID verification requests will only come through official support team tickets. We will never ask you to verify your ID through the Prolific messaging system or through researcher accounts.
Is my information/identification secure?
Your privacy and security are our top priority. Here's what you need to know about ID verification:
โ All identity documents and selfies are encrypted and securely stored through a third-party ID verification software called Onfido
โ Only authorized support team members can access your documents when necessary
The only information Onfido shares with us is:
- Your first name and surname
- Your date of birth
- The country of origin for your ID
For more details, you can review our Data Protection Policy and Onfido's Privacy Policy.
Which IDs are accepted?
โ๏ธ All driving licenses from the US, UK, EU and Australia
โ๏ธ All national passports (remember that you can only sign up as a participant if you live in a supported country stated below)
โ๏ธ Valid visa page showing a photo of you
โ๏ธ Residence permit cards
โ๏ธ US state ID cards
โ๏ธ EU ID cards
Which countries are supported on Prolific?
Prolific is available for participants from most OECD countries, with the exceptions of Turkey, Lithuania, Colombia and Costa Rica where Prolific is not available.
Prolific is currently also available to participants in Croatia and South Africa. If you are from an unsupported country but live in one of the supported countries listed below, you can still join Prolific.
AUSTRALIA |
AUSTRIA |
BELGIUM |
BRAZIL |
CANADA |
CHILE |
CROATIA |
CZECH REPUBLIC |
DENMARK |
ESTONIA |
FINLAND |
FRANCE |
GERMANY |
GREECE |
HUNGARY |
ICELAND |
IRELAND |
ISRAEL |
ITALY |
JAPAN |
KOREA |
LATVIA |
LUXEMBOURG |
MEXICO |
NETHERLANDS |
NEW ZEALAND |
NORWAY |
POLAND |
PORTUGAL |
SLOVAKIA |
SLOVENIA |
SOUTH AFRICA |
SPAIN |
SWEDEN |
SWITZERLAND |
UNITED KINGDOM |
UNITED STATES |
I don't have my ID with me. Can I use a copy?
Unfortunately not! Photocopies or screenshots of IDs are not accepted. For security and verification purposes, you must take a clear photo of your physical ID document using a camera. This ensures the authenticity of your identification during the verification process.
What if my camera doesn't work?
You can scan the QR code provided by Onfido by any mobile device. So, if your phone is broken or you don't have a functioning camera, then the best thing to do is to ask a friend or family member if you can borrow their phone. You can then submit your selfie and ID using their device - for ID verification purposes, the phone number used doesn't have to match your Prolific account.
Tips for submitting your ID
Here are some helpful tips for a successful ID verification:
- Make sure youโre using an accepted form of ID stated above.
- Ensure your face and ID are clearly visible in photos.
- Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
- For double-sided IDs, photograph both front and back.
- Take photos in good lighting, avoiding shadows or glare.
What should I do as a UK resident using a Share Code to prove my residency status?
At the time of writing, the UK government has not given businesses a way to verify UK immigration status Share Codes automatically. We are working on an identity verification solution for UK residents who rely on Share Codes to verify their resident statuses and will proactively be in touch.
Other forms of UK photo ID may be used on Prolific for identity verification, including the UK provisional driving license, which you can find out more about here. (Please note: There is a cost associated with applying for a UK provisional driving license for which you would be solely responsible, so you should take this into consideration before deciding whether or not to apply. Also, applying for a UK provisional driving license does not guarantee you will be accepted onto Prolific, nor does it guarantee any studies will be made available to you.)
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