Recover a LinkedIn Account Without Submitting ID Verification
There are limited alternatives to submitting ID, and the order you try them in matters.
Is this your situation?
You cannot or will not submit a government ID for identity verification. You want to know what alternatives exist, including adding a personal recovery email, and what happens if you refuse, as covered in the support escalation path.
Do this first
Do not create a new account. You can turn two-factor authentication off from account settings if you can access your account using a device you are currently logged into. If you are in Canada, the EU, or the UK, you may use an Affidavit of Identity signed before a Notary Public as an alternative identity verification method.
Which situation is yours?
- Logged-in device available: turn off two-factor authentication from that device instead.
- No logged-in device: identity verification is required to restore access.
- Based in Canada, EU, or UK: use a notarized Affidavit of Identity instead.
- Will not photograph an ID: alternative verification accepted by LinkedIn may apply.
- ID name does not match profile name: additional checks run through a trusted provider.
- Under 16: Persona identity verification is not available to you.
How LinkedIn handles this
- LinkedIn must verify your identity and confirm you are the rightful account owner before restoring access.
- Users who do not want to submit a government ID or a photo of themselves can use alternative forms of verification accepted by LinkedIn.
- Persona only shares information about you with LinkedIn if you consent to the sharing.
- LinkedIn does not receive biometric data or ID numbers from your ID.
- Identity verification data is generally permanently deleted within 14 days of submission.
Which recovery path is yours?
- Can you access a device where you are currently logged into your account? You can turn two-factor authentication off from account settings using that device.
- Are you located in Canada, the EU, or the UK and unwilling to submit a photo ID? You may use an Affidavit of Identity, signed before a Notary Public and attached to your support case.
- Is the name on your ID different from the name on your profile? LinkedIn may use the phone number previously provided along with limited data from Persona to run additional identity checks through a trusted service provider.
- Do you have no logged-in device and no eligible alternative method? LinkedIn must verify your identity and confirm you are the rightful account owner before restoring access.
What not to do
- Creating a new account while waiting You want the original restricted account restored, not a replacement.Why it happens: Frustration with the wait leads to starting over instead of resolving the original account.
- Submitting a library or school ID Library or school ID cards cannot be used for identity verification.Why it happens: These documents are assumed to count as government identification.
- Expecting the Affidavit option outside Canada, the EU, or the UK Users located in Canada, the EU, or the UK may use an Affidavit of Identity as an alternative verification method.Why it happens: The option is seen mentioned without checking regional eligibility.
What to have ready
- A device with an active logged-in session Check whether any browser or app still shows you as signed in.
- Your current country of residence Confirm whether you are in Canada, the EU, or the UK for the Affidavit option.
- Access to a Notary Public Confirm the Affidavit of Identity can be signed before a Notary Public.
- The name on your profile The name on your government ID must match the name on your profile for name matching purposes.
- Your age Confirm you are at least 16, since Persona verification is unavailable below that age.
- A smartphone, if ID verification becomes unavoidable Confirm you have one, since verifying an ID through Persona requires it.
Stop this happening again
Adding a secondary email or phone number before trouble starts gives you a way back in that does not depend on ID submission. Set this up now through adding a personal recovery email.
Quick reference
| Situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| Logged-in device available | Turn off two-factor authentication from account settings. |
| No logged-in device | Identity verification is required before access is restored. |
| Resident of Canada, EU, or UK | Notarized Affidavit of Identity is accepted. |
| Unwilling to submit ID photo | Alternative forms of verification accepted by LinkedIn may apply. |
| Name mismatch between ID and profile | Additional checks run through a trusted service provider. |
| Age under 16 | Persona verification is not available. |
| Data LinkedIn receives from ID | Not stated by LinkedIn |
| Retention of submitted ID data | Generally deleted within 14 days of submission. |
Keeping track of who has access
Situations like this are preventable when an alternative path to recovery is already in place. Delvia keeps a record of who holds which access, so that alternative path is already in place. That record is what turns a stressful identity check into one option among several.
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