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When you want to access the WhatsApp Business API or Cloud API, you must create a WhatsApp Business account (WABA). One of the steps required is to verify your Facebook Business account. Without verification, WhatsApp limits you to 50 business-initiated messages in a rolling 24 hours, and you can only connect up to 2 WhatsApp phone numbers. There is no limit on user-initiated messages received.

Some WhatsApp Business Solution Providers (BSPs) require you to verify your account immediately, while others don’t. For WhatsApp Cloud API, you can verify your account during or after creating your WhatsApp Business API account.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to verifying your Facebook Business account from Facebook Business Manager. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

Before you begin:

• Check if your business can be verified. You will see a Start verification button in Security Centre in business settings if you’re eligible to complete business verification.

• You’ll need to be an admin of the Meta Business Manager account to verify your business.

• If you’re an advertiser based in China, you may be asked to complete bank account verification. You can learn more about it on Verify your business with your business bank account.

• If you use monthly invoicing to pay for ads, you don’t need to submit documents for business verification. When you start the verification process, you can fill out the form with your credit line information. If you don’t see that option, make sure that the Business Manager you’re trying to verify is linked to a credit line that you own, not one that is shared with another business.

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Step 1 - Security Center #

Go to the Security Center of your Facebook Business manager. Click on Start Verification.

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A window will pop up. Click on Get Started.

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Select the country where your business is located. Click Next.

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Step 2 - Add company information #

In the next window, add your company address information. Click Next.

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Then, upload supporting documents to verify that your business exists. If you’re not sure which documents to submit, click on accepted documents. This differs from country to country. You can find more information on Facebook’s page for acceptable official documents.

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Select how you would like Facebook to send you a verification code. The phone number option may not be available in some countries. 

Click Next.

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If you selected Email in the previous step, you need to type in your email address in this step. Your email address domain must be the same as your company domain. Click Send Email.

If you selected SMS in the previous step, confirm your number and click Text Me Now.

Learn when to use domain verification to verify your business here.

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WhatsApp sends you an email or SMS or calls you to give you the code depending on your selection in the previous step. Copy the code and paste it into the field. Click Next.

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Step 3 - Wait for verification #

That’s it. You now have to wait for Meta to notify you about the status of your verification.

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FAQ #

How long does it take for Meta to verify my Facebook Business account? How will they notify me? #

Facebook does not have a specific timeline for how long verification takes. If your documents are clear, verification can be completed in one week. If there are issues with validating the documents you’ve submitted, it can take months. 

Most businesses are able to verify their account without issues.

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Can I edit my business details? #

Yes. After Meta verifies your business, you can edit your details. If your business’s legal name, phone number, or physical address changes, you can update them in the Security Centre. Any changes will require you to complete the business verification process again.

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What happens if Meta cannot verify my account? #

If Meta cannot verify your business, they might ask you to submit your ID before attempting verification again. On When to submit your ID for business verification, you can find more information about it. 

They may also ask you to upload additional documents, such as a certificate of incorporation or a business license. For more information on the types of acceptable documents for each country, please visit Upload official documents to verify your business.

What if Meta still cannot verify my account? #

Check out Meta’s Troubleshooting page for more information on what to do.

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What happens if I provide false or misleading information? #

Here is what Meta says: “If you provide false or misleading information during your verification process, attempt to claim and verify a business that you aren’t authorized to represent, or otherwise attempt to circumvent our verification review systems, Meta may prevent your business from being verified, remove your business’s verification status or take additional action on the account.”

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Learn more #

If you’d like to learn more about how WhatsApp can help you grow your business, please reach out to us on WhatsApp at +13024070488.

We also offer a free consultation session where we go through your use case, answer any questions you have about WhatsApp, and help you build a strategy to make the best out of the platform. Book a call with us below. We’d love to speak with you:

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