How to get verified at Mt. Gox
We explain how to have your identity Verified at Mt. Gox
![Screenshot (256)](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/ECYGd-U_taLfuzKzuIVoKQ6S4lY=/567x274/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/DTDUGKKQYFBDZLTECMPMW4RMDM.png)
Bitcoin is said to be an anonymous currency. While it’s true that bitcoin addresses are not linked to any sort of real-world identity, it gets complicated when you try to convert bitcoins into world currency. Mt. Gox recently started requiring real-world identification of its members before they could transfer real-world funds into their accounts, which is a fundamental part of using any currency exchange! Assuming you're not quitting Mt. Gox, here's our guide on how to get verified.
Step 1 – Sign up.
If you haven't joined already, you'll need an account at Mt. Gox. Head over to http://www.mtgox.com, and click the signup link.
![Screenshot (260)](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/ihoLcjb_CRyusrx84hzoV22kN60=/560x259/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/63GZFWTDIFET7O2IAYKDEZWJKE.png)
Step 2 – Confirm your email address
Once you've given your username and password, you'll receive an email with a confirmation code that you can either paste into the website or just click the link in the email.
![Screenshot (251)](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/2nbaSL9TBfAePfsGhSQDPiIzsxQ=/560x275/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/Q4EDQDLBM5GLFCV2J66JQCPDCU.png)
Step 3 – Fill in your details.
As you are guided through the signup process, you'll be brought to a page where you have to fill in your physical address. Complete this form and click Next.
![Screenshot (255)](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/vg1-FJHn0iF04IfZgPXR2vhKvtw=/560x273/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/DTJSNMKQX5BAPLRJ5VQ3LCNWKM.png)
Step 4 – Provide Photo ID
Next you'll have to provide a photo or PDF scan of some photo ID. It can be a passport, drivers licence or national ID card. Type in the ID number on the page form, and click the "Choose File" button and select the image or PDF of your card.
![Screenshot (256)](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/fWMEPyuVnrjRJefSGcBxTklEpcU=/560x270/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/DTDUGKKQYFBDZLTECMPMW4RMDM.png)
Step 5 – Provide Proof of residency.
Next you'll need to prove you live where you say you do. You can provide a monthly utility bill, Internet bill, cellphone bill, a tax return, residency certificate or medical insurance bill. Again you can provide a photo (.jpg or .png) of the document or a PDF scan. The other stipulation is that the document must have been issued within the last six months.
![Screenshot (258)](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/XhhQPAJI1NPAT60S_ei4VWoHxbk=/560x272/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/DUPPKAKDSBBWRE4SNPFGAUDK6U.png)
Again, click the "Choose File" button to select the corresponding file on your computer. Note, when I first uploaded my pair of scans, for some reason they were rejected. Fortunately, you can upload multiple proofs of residency, so I uploaded another utility bill. Almost instantly, I received an email telling me I was verified.
![Screenshot (259)](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/rp5EHsoY6n64joQDE_lsla6JCnA=/560x273/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/SQDRA2OWNBFAZF2VPRFHS2VNYE.png)
Notes on scanning
If you don't have a scanner, or you're in a rush, there are reliable scanning apps out there for your smartphone. We recommend CamScanner for Android and Scanner Pro for the iPhone.
![2013-06-05 15.56.14](https://www.coindesk.com/resizer/P-ohjznfKomODraRoAmZipFi9wo=/560x994/filters:quality(80):format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/ZSDXUJGDUVCFRCD5Z2AL75QZJA.png)