Why Do Photos Keep Failing
Many people get stuck at the identity verification (KYC) step after registering on Binance. The document is real, the information is correct, yet the review keeps failing. In most cases, the problem lies in photo quality — too blurry, severe glare, corners cut off, or poor lighting during facial recognition.
Today we'll walk through exactly how to take photos that will smoothly pass the review, aiming to get it right on the first try.
If you don't have a Binance account yet, click here to register — signing up through this link gets you a trading fee discount. Once registered, you can prepare your verification photos using the methods below. If you need to download the Binance app, click here.
Basic Requirements for Document Photos
First, understand what photos Binance's KYC verification requires. Typically, there are two: the front and back of your document (if using an ID card). If using a passport, you only need to photograph the information page.
The basic photo requirements are:
The photo must be clear — all text on the document (name, document number, date of birth) must be easily readable. If the reviewer or machine can't read the text, it naturally won't pass.
All four corners of the document must be fully visible in the photo. Don't accidentally crop off a corner due to the angle you're holding it at. It's recommended to lay the document flat on a table rather than holding it in your hand.
There should be no severe glare or shadows obscuring key information. Many people photograph their ID with the flash on, creating a large white glare that makes the name and number completely illegible.
Keep the background relatively clean and simple. While it doesn't need to be a solid color like a visa photo, an overly cluttered background may interfere with the system's ability to identify the document area.
Practical Steps for Taking Good Photos
Now that you know the requirements, here's how to do it:
Step 1: Find a well-lit location. Natural light is best — for example, a table near a window. If it's nighttime, use a desk lamp from the side to avoid direct overhead lighting (which causes glare).
Step 2: Place the document flat on a solid-colored surface or sheet of paper. Dark documents on a light background, light documents on a dark background — higher contrast makes it easier for the system to recognize.
Step 3: Turn off your phone's flash. This is extremely important. The flash is the primary culprit for document photo glare. With the flash off, natural light or soft lamp light provides sufficient illumination.
Step 4: Keep the phone parallel to the document. Don't shoot at an angle or from the side. Point the camera lens directly at the document from straight above. This prevents perspective distortion.
Step 5: Maintain the right distance. Too close may cause focus issues and blurring; too far makes the text too small to read. Generally, holding the phone about 20 to 30 centimeters from the document works well — the document should fill most of the frame while keeping all four corners visible.
Step 6: Check the photo yourself after taking it. Zoom in and inspect: Can you read the name? Can every digit of the document number be identified? Is the expiration date visible? If anything is unclear, retake it.
In-App Camera vs Uploading from Gallery
Binance's identity verification page usually gives you two options: take a photo with the in-app camera or upload an existing photo from your gallery.
Using the in-app camera is recommended. Here's why: the app provides a photo frame to guide document alignment; the app may automatically optimize the image; and taking the photo directly avoids compression or format issues that can occur when selecting from the gallery.
If you choose to upload from the gallery, be mindful of the photo resolution. Some messaging apps compress images — if you transferred the document photo via such an app to another device and then upload it, the image may already be blurry. Always use the original image.
How to Pass Facial Recognition on the First Try
Beyond document photos, KYC also includes a facial recognition step. You'll need to face the phone camera and follow on-screen prompts to perform actions like blinking, turning your head, or opening your mouth.
The most common reason for facial recognition failure is poor lighting. Your face needs even, uniform lighting — not half bright and half dark. Standing in front of a window with natural light on your face is the best setup.
Don't wear hats, sunglasses, or masks. Regular clear-lens glasses are usually fine, but remove them if they cause significant glare.
Keep the phone stable. Hold it with both hands or place it on a stand. Shaking will prevent the facial recognition algorithm from accurately capturing your facial features.
Keep the background simple, and make sure no other people appear in the frame. If someone is standing behind you, the system might make an incorrect identification.
When performing the prompted actions, use moderate movements. For example, when asked to turn your head, you don't need to whip it around dramatically — just slowly turn to the indicated direction. Moving too fast may actually cause the capture to fail.
Common Rejection Reasons and Solutions
If you submitted photos but received a rejection notice, first check the reason given. Common ones include:
"Photo is blurry" — Retake a clearer photo. Make sure the focus is accurate and your hand isn't shaking.
"Document information is incomplete" — Check whether any corners were cut off or if your fingers are blocking text.
"Photo has glare" — Turn off the flash and adjust the light source angle before retaking.
"Document type doesn't match" — Confirm that the document type you selected matches what you actually photographed. For example, if you selected "passport" but photographed an ID card, it won't work.
"Document has expired" — Check that your document is within its validity period. Expired documents are not accepted.
Photo Tips for Different Document Types
For ID cards, you need to photograph both front and back. The front has the photo, name, and number; the back has the issuing authority and expiration date. Both sides must be complete and clear.
For passports, you only need to photograph the personal information page (the one with the photo). Make sure to capture the entire page, including the Machine Readable Zone at the bottom (those two lines of characters that look like random text).
For driver's licenses, ensure all key information is clearly visible as well. Driver's license formats vary considerably across countries — just align with the guide frame shown on the page.
Start Trading After Verification
Once your photos are taken and facial recognition is passed, you'll typically receive the review result within minutes to a few hours. After approval, your account unlocks all features and you can start depositing and trading. If you haven't installed the app yet, remember to download it here — the app provides a smoother experience.
Taking a little extra time to get your photos right and passing verification on the first try saves you far more effort than submitting and getting rejected repeatedly.