> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hckrt.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Identity Verification for Hackrate Bug Bounty Researchers
> Verify your identity on Hackrate to unlock private programs and payouts — covers document requirements, process steps, and verification statuses.
Identity verification on Hackrate confirms that you are who you say you are. Completing verification unlocks the full platform experience: access to private and invite-only programs, the ability to receive bounty payouts, and a verified badge on your public profile that signals credibility to companies. The process is guided and handled through a secure third-party identity verification service. Verification has a validity period; you will be notified before it expires so you can renew it without interruption.
## Why verification matters
Without a verified identity, some platform capabilities are restricted:
Many high-value programs are invite-only or have verification as a prerequisite for access. Your reputation and skill alone are not enough — companies require confirmed identities before sharing sensitive targets.
Identity verification may be required before your first bounty payment can be processed. This protects both you and the companies making payments by ensuring a verified chain of identity.
A blue verified checkmark appears next to your nickname on the leaderboard, on your public profile, and on any Hacktivity entries attributed to you. It is an immediate trust signal for program administrators.
Once verified, your country of residence is confirmed and locked to the issuing country on your identity document. This cannot be changed while your verification is valid.
## Before you begin
You will need the following before starting the verification flow:
* A valid **government-issued photo ID** — passport, national identity card, driving licence, or residence permit
* A **proof of address document** — a recent bank statement or utility bill
* A device with a working **camera** for the live photo (selfie) step
* Your **legal first and last name** as they appear on your identity document
The name you enter at the start of the verification flow must exactly match the name on your identity document. Mismatches will cause the check to fail and use up one of your allowed attempts.
## Starting the verification process
Navigate to **Account Settings** and select the **Verification** tab. You will see your current verification status and, if you have not started yet, a form to begin.
Provide your legal first name, last name, and your current country of residence. This creates your secure verification profile with the identity verification service. Your country of residence will be updated on your account at this point.
Once your profile is created, a guided verification widget loads in your browser. Follow the on-screen prompts to:
* Upload or photograph your **identity document** (passport, national ID, driving licence, or residence permit)
* Upload your **proof of address** (bank statement or utility bill)
* Take a **live photo** (selfie) so the system can match your face to your ID
After completing all captures, submit your documents. Two verification checks run in parallel: a **document check** (validating your ID) and an **identity check** (matching your live photo to your document). Processing typically completes within minutes, though it can take longer in some cases.
You will be notified when your verification result is available. Return to the Verification page to see your status. If both checks pass, your account is marked as verified immediately.
## Accepted document types
The following government-issued identity documents are accepted:
* **Passport** (any country)
* **National identity card**
* **Driving licence**
* **Residence permit**
Documents must be current and not expired. The name on the document must match what you entered when creating your verification profile.
One of the following is required as proof of address:
* **Bank statement** — must show your name and residential address
* **Utility bill** — gas, electricity, water, or broadband; must show your name and residential address
Documents should be recent (typically within the past 3 months). Digital or paper documents both accepted.
## Verification statuses
| Status | What it means |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Not started** | You have not initiated the verification process yet |
| **Pending** | Your documents have been submitted and checks are processing |
| **Verified** | Both checks passed — your account is fully verified |
| **Requires attention** | One or more checks returned a result that needs manual review |
| **Rejected** | The documents could not be validated; you may be eligible to retry |
| **Expired** | Your verification has passed its validity period and must be renewed |
Verification has a limited validity period. When it expires, your verified status is removed from your account until you complete a new verification. You will be notified before expiry so you can plan ahead.
## Retrying after a failed attempt
If your verification attempt is rejected, you may be eligible to retry the capture step with fresh documents. A limited number of automated attempts are available. If you exhaust those attempts, contact Hackrate support — the team can assist with manual review.
1. Go back to **Account Settings → Verification** and check the status message for details on what went wrong.
2. Ensure your documents are clear, fully in-frame, and not expired.
3. Retry using the capture flow — a fresh attempt resets the captured documents while keeping your verification profile.
4. If the issue persists after your available attempts are exhausted, reach out to Hackrate support for assistance.
## Two-factor authentication (2FA)
While you are in your account security settings, you should also consider enabling **two-factor authentication**. 2FA adds a second layer of protection to your login, requiring approval from your registered authentication method every time you sign in.
Navigate to **Account Settings** and look for the **Two-Factor Authentication** section.
Click **Enable Two-Factor Authentication**. The system will add your account to the 2FA group and immediately revoke your active session.
After enabling 2FA, sign back in. You will now be prompted for a second factor on every login. This is a one-way action — once enabled, 2FA cannot be self-disabled.
Enabling 2FA immediately signs you out of your current session. Make sure you have access to your second factor before confirming. If you lose access to your authentication method, contact Hackrate support.
## Citizenship declaration
After your identity is verified, you may be asked to complete a **Citizenship Declaration** — a statement confirming whether you hold citizenships or nationalities beyond the country on your verified identity document. This declaration is required for eligibility assessment on certain programs and must be renewed each time your verification is renewed. Full instructions are available on the Verification page after your identity check passes.