Stake KYC Documents: ID, Selfie, Proof of Address and Safe Preparation

ID document basics

An identity document is usually meant to confirm that the account details match a real person. The file should be readable, current, complete and unedited. Cropped edges, glare, heavy compression or missing information can make a legitimate document harder to review.

Before uploading, check the full name, date of birth, expiry date, document number visibility where required, photo clarity and all corners. Do not alter document content. If a scan is poor, create a cleaner capture or obtain a better original rather than editing the file.

Selfie and liveness checks

A selfie or liveness step may confirm that the person completing verification is the person on the ID. This is why borrowed accounts and purchased verified accounts are fragile: future checks can require the original person again.

Follow the official on-screen instructions. Use a well-lit environment, avoid filters and do not involve another person. If the step fails, review lighting, camera clarity and whether the account owner is the one completing the process.

How proof of address relates to KYC

KYC is not only about ID. Address evidence can help confirm where the account owner lives or whether account details are consistent. A strong ID cannot fix a weak address document if the address step is what the platform is asking for.

Think of identity and address as separate but connected signals. The name should match, the address should be complete, the date should be visible and the document should fit the requested category.

Image quality rules

Most document issues are simple but costly: blur, glare, shadows, cut-off corners, tiny text, rotated images, cropped PDFs, watermarks covering important details or file compression that makes information unreadable.

A good file is easy to inspect without guessing. Avoid screenshots of screenshots, edited images, partial captures and files where the issuer, date, name or address is hidden.

Expired, cropped or edited document risks

Expired documents often fail because they no longer prove current identity status. Cropped documents can fail because reviewers cannot see whether the document is complete. Edited documents create trust and compliance risk even if the change seems minor.

If a document is expired, obtain a current one. If it is cropped, export or photograph the full page. If information is wrong, correct it through legitimate channels rather than editing the document yourself.

Name and address mismatch

Name mismatch can come from nicknames, initials, transliteration, married names, missing middle names or different spelling across documents. Address mismatch can come from old documents, different formatting, missing apartment numbers or using a non-residential address.

Small differences can still create friction. Use documents that match the account profile as closely as possible and avoid submitting multiple documents that tell different stories.

What not to share

Never share passwords, login codes, private keys, seed phrases, wallet access or full document archives with strangers. A guide can discuss the type of problem without needing your private account control.

If someone asks for your account login to “handle KYC”, treat it as a red flag. Privacy-first guidance keeps you in control of your account and documents.

KYC document checklist

Before submitting, confirm that the document belongs to the account owner, is current, readable, complete, unedited and appropriate for the requested step. If proof of address is needed, confirm full name, full address, issuer and date are visible.

If you are unsure, use the KYC readiness checklist before sending anything. A slower review is safer than a rushed upload that creates contradictions.

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