Address verification (PIN) overview

This article outlines the AdMob address verification (PIN) process, detailing timelines, entry instructions, and solutions for delivery or fraud issues. To protect the security of your account, Google requires you to verify your address before we can send you any payments.

On this page

• How address verification works
• Address verification timeline
• If we can't verify your address due to fraudulent activity associated with that address
• If you have problems with your PIN
• AdMob PIN mailer example

Tip:  Here are essential terms for managing your account and payments:

• Identity verification is a process where you provide a government-issued ID to confirm your account details and protect against fraud.
• Verification threshold is the specific amount of earnings your account must reach before you're required to verify your identity and address. The amount can vary depending on your location.
• Payment threshold is the minimum balance your earnings must reach for Google to issue a payment to your chosen payment method.

How address verification works

Address verification is a four-step process:

1. You enter your payments address in AdMob when you activate your account.

2. When your earnings reach the verification threshold, Google sends a unique 6-digit Personal Identity Number (PIN) to your payments address through international standard mail. Google doesn't provide a tracking number for the PIN mailer, so make sure your payments address can receive standard mail.

   Note: If we've asked you to verify your identity, we won't send your PIN until after you've successfully completed identity verification.
3. It usually takes 3 weeks for your PIN mailer to arrive. If you haven’t received your PIN mailer after this period, you can request a replacement PIN.

4. When you receive your PIN mailer, enter your PIN in your account immediately.

Address verification timeline

You'll have 4 months from the date your PIN is generated to complete address verification. If you haven't verified your payments address after 4 months, we'll stop showing ads on your pages.

If we can't verify your address due to fraudulent activity associated with that address

If the address you provided has been associated with fraudulent activity, you'll need to change your payments address to a new, valid postal address that can receive your PIN. Your new address must be different from your previous one.

After your new address is verified, you can request a PIN:

1. Sign in to your AdMob account at https://admob.google.com.
2. Click Payments in the sidebar.
3. Click Verification.
4. Click Resend PIN.

If you can't provide a valid payments address, ads will stop showing on your app.

If you have problems with your PIN

• If your PIN hasn't arrived, review Problems with PIN & address verification.
• If you've requested the 4th replacement PIN mailer and you still haven't received it after 3 weeks, go to our PIN troubleshooter.

Note: You can request up to 3 additional replacement PINs.

AdMob PIN mailer example

PINs are printed on PIN mailers, which are white 4.5 x 6 inch (11.4 x 15.2 cm) postcards. The PIN mailer contains a unique 6-digit PIN inside.

This image shows the front and back of the PIN mailer that we send to you via standard mail.