What documents do I need for KYC?
Signal: an upload request inside the app means the identity check has started. Complete it in the app and nowhere else.
KYC stands for know your customer. It happens before ether.fi Cash can issue or activate your card. The issuer sets the document list, and the signup flow shows the list that applies to your account. If you searched for what documents do i need for kyc, the short answer is a valid photo ID plus whatever else the app requests. Our verified facts file does not hold a fixed list, so this section explains how to prepare without printing one that could go stale.
Documents to prepare before you start
- A government-issued photo ID that is valid on the day you upload it.
- Proof of address, if the app asks for one.
- A phone camera that takes sharp photos in even light.
- An email address you can open while the review runs.
Why it matters: the name on your document should match the name you enter in the app. A mismatch can stall the check, and fixing it after submission usually costs more time than entering it correctly the first time.
Three details to check before you upload
- Expiry date: the document must still be valid on the day you upload it.
- Sharpness: each photo should be in focus, with no glare across the text.
- Name spelling: the spelling must match the name on your account, letter for letter.
Crop each photo so every corner of the document shows. Each check takes under a minute, and each one can send an upload back for a retake.
Risk: an expired document may be rejected. Renew it first, then upload. Our answer on expired IDs explains the approach to take.
Alternative: if you hold a digital identity rather than a physical document, read our answer on digital IDs before you assume the app accepts it.
Step by step: how to set up ether fi cash
Signal: eligibility comes first. An upload has no effect for a country that is not on the allow-list.
If you want the short version of how to set up ether fi cash, follow the order below.
- Confirm that your country or US state appears on the issuer’s current allow-list. If it does not, read our guide for readers outside the supported countries and stop there.
- Install the app and start signup.
- Upload the documents the app requests, using the checklist above.
- Keep the app open during review and read every status message on screen.
- After approval, follow the app’s own instructions for funding and card activation.
Watch: the review time is set by the issuer. Check the app for status, and do not resubmit the same file while the review is still running.
Plan for travel and residence changes
Why it matters: your documents describe where you live today. If you move, the details on your account may need updating before the card works as you expect.
Living or travelling outside your registered country can change how you use the card. Read our answer on international travel before you plan a trip around it.
Using the card without selling ETH
Signal: if your plan depends on keeping your ETH, read the linked answer before you sign up.
Readers often ask whether the card requires selling ETH first. Our separate answer on using the card without selling ETH covers that question. Read it before you assume either way, because the answer depends on how the product is set up when you read it.
Common reasons an upload is sent back
Watch: change one thing per attempt, so you can tell which fix worked.
- Blurred, dark, or cropped photos.
- An expired document.
- A name spelled differently from the account.
- A document issued in a country that is not your residence, which may not be accepted.
Each of these has a direct fix. Read the reason on screen before you change anything.
Privacy and record keeping
Risk: a message that offers faster approval in exchange for a fee or a document photo is a warning sign, not a service.
Identity documents are among the most sensitive files you own. Handle them with the same care you give your seed phrase.
- Upload only inside the app or the issuer’s help center.
- Never send ID photos to anyone who contacts you first.
- Read the privacy notice and note how to request a copy or deletion of your records.
- Keep a private copy of the exact file you submitted.