To get verified on LinkedIn, open your profile and use the Verify now option under Get verified. You can verify your identity (with CLEAR in the US, Canada and Mexico, or Persona with an NFC passport in many other countries), your workplace through your work email, or your school. It's free, and a badge appears next to your name.
LinkedIn verification isn't a celebrity tick. It's a free badge that proves you're the real person behind the profile, or that you work where your profile says, and anyone can get one if they meet the requirements. With fake profiles everywhere, it's one of the simplest ways to look trustworthy to clients and recruiters. Here's what you can verify, what you'll need, and what LinkedIn says it's worth.
Three things LinkedIn can verify
| Verification | What it proves | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | You're a real person with that name | A government ID and phone (CLEAR), an NFC passport (Persona), or DigiLocker in India |
| Workplace | You work at the company on your profile | A work email code, or a company-provided verification method |
| Educational institution | You're connected to that school | A supported LinkedIn Learning licence from the institution |
How to start
- Go to your LinkedIn profile.
- Look for the Get verified area and click Verify now.
- Choose what you want to verify: identity, workplace or school.
- Follow the steps for the method LinkedIn offers you.
Once you're verified, a badge appears next to your name. Anyone logged in to LinkedIn can click it to see which verifications you have, and it can also show on job posts and Company Pages.
Identity verification depends on where you live
LinkedIn uses different partners in different countries:
- US, Canada and Mexico: CLEAR, with a valid government-issued ID and a personal phone number from one of those countries. LinkedIn says a free CLEAR account is created if you don't have one, and it's separate from the CLEAR Plus membership.
- India: members with DigiLocker credentials who meet other requirements.
- Many other countries: Persona, which needs a valid NFC-enabled passport, the kind with a chip in it.
The name on your ID needs to match the name on your LinkedIn profile. If it doesn't, update your profile name first, because a mismatch can stop the verification going through.
Workplace verification
Workplace verification shows you work at the company listed on your profile. The most common route is confirming your current work email with a code, though LinkedIn says only some companies are eligible. Others include Microsoft Entra Verified ID if your employer has turned it on, a LinkedIn Learning licence from your company, or certain LinkedIn Recruiter licences, which give recruiters a 'Verified Recruiter' label.
What stays private
LinkedIn says the information used to verify you, such as your ID details or work email, isn't visible to anyone. One thing that may show is the country that issued your ID. If that matters to you, check how your badge appears after verifying.
Things that can undo your badge
- Changing your name: LinkedIn says you may need to verify again.
- Your company changing its approved email domains, which can remove a workplace verification.
- Removing it yourself: verifications are optional, and you can delete them in your settings at any time.
Is it worth it?
LinkedIn says verified members see 60% more profile views and 50% more engagement on average. Treat those as LinkedIn's own numbers rather than a guarantee, but the logic is sound: people are warier of fake profiles than ever, and a badge removes one reason to hesitate before accepting your connection request or replying to your message. For consultants, freelancers and anyone selling on LinkedIn, it's an easy win.
If you can't verify yet
Not everyone can verify every type. If your country isn't covered for identity verification, or your employer isn't eligible for workplace verification, LinkedIn says eligibility is expanding, so check back. In the meantime, a complete profile does a similar job: a clear photo, a headline that says what you do, and a filled-in About section. My headline swipe file helps with the wording, and building a personal brand as a consultant covers the bigger picture.
Using your badge well
A badge works best alongside a profile that matches it. Make sure your current job title and company line up with any workplace verification, so the badge and the details tell the same story. Use the same name you use in your emails and on your website, so a prospect who looks you up after a call recognises you instantly. And when you reach out to new contacts, a verified profile with a personal note is far more likely to get a reply than a bare connection request. The badge removes doubt; your message still has to give people a reason to answer.
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Verification versus Premium
Verification is free and separate from LinkedIn Premium. You don't need a Premium account to get the badge. If you're weighing up Premium for other reasons, my guide to cancelling LinkedIn Premium covers the other side of that decision.
My verdict
Click Verify now under Get verified on your profile, make sure your profile name matches your ID, and verify your identity and, if you can, your workplace. It's free, private, takes minutes, and LinkedIn's own data suggests people notice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get verified on LinkedIn?
Go to your profile, click Verify now under Get verified, and choose identity, workplace or school verification.
Is LinkedIn verification free?
Yes. LinkedIn says verifications are optional and free.
What ID do I need to verify on LinkedIn?
In the US, Canada and Mexico, a government ID and local phone number via CLEAR. In many other countries, an NFC-enabled passport via Persona.
Can people see my ID details after LinkedIn verification?
No. LinkedIn says the information used to verify isn't visible to anyone, though your ID's issuing country may show.
Will I lose my LinkedIn verification if I change my name?
You may need to verify again. LinkedIn says the verified name must match your profile name.
