Etsy requiring docs that CAN'T exist for identify verification

[ConsciousResearch]

I've been trying to sign up as a seller for weeks. I've created multiple support tickets, followed up several times, support seems to be completely ignoring me (other than one initial message early on that just gave me some boiler plate response without even referencing my actual problem).

I am trying to sign up to sell things using my business. I filled out all the information about my business, and about myself, in the respective sections.

The problem is that I can't pass identity verification because Etsy is requiring a personal document like a driver's license or passport, but instead of requiring my name and address on the document they are requiring my business' name and address. Businesses do not have driver's licenses or passports.

I have been blocked from opening my store for weeks because of this issue and no one is responding to me. I emailed support loads of documents relating to myself and my business, certainly more than enough to verify my identity fully. But no response whatsoever.

Any advice? Anyone who can help me here?

[WPshoppe]

Is your business a sole proprietor? If so, you would use your personal information. I would consult with a tax lawyer about any other types of business holding and how you would represent it. It might be as simple as declaring yourself as President of the business and providing that info. 

[ConsciousResearch]

Not sole prop, no.

[GieseDeseiGns]

If you are sole proprietor then your personal license is what they want, but make sure it’s your name on everything, and spelled the same on all documents, and bank too.

[ConsciousResearch]

Not sole prop, but regardless when I upload my personal docs they fail because they dont have my business name.

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

It is your identity that Etsy wants.  

How to Verify Your Identity on Etsy – Etsy

You need to reply to that boilerplate response you received.  If you don't respond saying you still need help then Etsy closes it.  Do you still have it?  If so, reply to it. I think there is a link at the bottom saying something like "Still need help?"

[ConsciousResearch]

I did respond to it, re-describing the situation and indicating that simply uploading documents with my own name, which I already tried and got rejected, didn't seem to be an acceptable path by the Etsy system, which instead insists on non-business documents with my business' name.

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Are you the sole owner of this business?  Then your ID is required.  For the tax information you will include your business name and the appropriate tax numbers.

Are you using an account for your business?  Business accounts can have the name of the business but also the individual name that is the owner.

The way Etsy works is your reply to the email.  The first email is always basic referring to Help if that is appropriate for information.  If you need more help, you respond to the email.  You don't keep up opening emails.

[ConsciousResearch]

Yes I am the sole owner but am using my business account. I tried already uploading my own documents with my name and they fail ID verification with an error that the documents need to have my business' name (and again, they require driver's license, passport, etc. which are not business documents).

I did respond to support's initial email. Multiple times over the last week or more. I gave them all documents for my business, all documents for myself via those emails. They are not responding.

[BagmakerSupply]

@ConsciousResearch: While Etsy's wording can often be less than clear and concise, remember that if you opening a shop as a 'business', the business and (at least one) responsible person must both be verified. Have you looked at https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001980067-How-to-Verify-Your-Seller-Information-for-Etsy-...

[ConsciousResearch]

Hi, I tried uploading my own docs and they fail verification with an error that they are not in my business' name. I gave support all documents for myself and business via email. Radio silence.

[SugarTaffySoap]

@ConsciousResearch   Are you in the USA?  Also, what are you selling? Conscious Research doesn't sound like you're on the right platform. 

[ConsciousResearch]

Yes, I am

[RetroNovia]

I am having exactly the same problem. Etsy verification system is unfit for purpose. They want a legal ID that matches the business but the drop down only offer personal ID such as passport etc. I have been trading for 3 years and they suddenly asked for more information - my shop is now suspended in holiday mode. Rejected passport and rejected business incorporation documentation. Only lets me upload one document and then replaces one with the other 

[BagmakerSupply]

@RetroNovia: "I have been trading for 3 years and they suddenly asked for more information ..." The various laws have become much more detailed as to what is required since you opened your shop and they continue to change.

"Only lets me upload one document ..." The solution suggested by some is to combine the scans of all of the various documents (business and personal) into a single file for upload.

[FeatherWeatherMarket]

FWIW, I'm having the same exact issue. 3 weeks now after trying to open my store and I'm still going in circles with trying to get Etsy to verify my identity. I have uploaded my driver's license multiple times and now my passport… no luck. Two support tickets open, a couple of boilerplate responses from Etsy, and one support person that said this was a known technical problem and was being sent to their "engineering team"… that was well over a week ago with no further response. My store remains in vacation mode after briefly being open when I first turned it live. Etsy support is horrific. 

[ModAngie · Accepted solution]

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