Some countries require documents before a number can be activated. This depends on the country, the type of number and sometimes on the specific number. The rules are set by local telecom regulators and they change from time to time. So before you buy, always check the requirements for your number in your Personal Account. They are shown there when you choose the number.
Which numbers usually need documents
| Number type | Documents |
|---|---|
| Numbers for registration (SMS only) | Usually not needed. A few countries are an exception, for example Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pakistan, Sweden and Tanzania. |
| SMS numbers | Usually not needed in most countries. |
| Local numbers for calls | Depends on the country. Many European countries and the USA often ask for documents. |
| Toll-free numbers | Documents are required in most countries. |
This is a general picture and not a guarantee. The exact requirement for a number is the one you see in your Personal Account.
Countries where documents are usually required
In these countries documents were required for all numbers when we prepared this article: Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Switzerland, Uganda and Vietnam.
In the following countries documents are usually not required for any type of number: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, the Philippines, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
Other countries, for example the USA, the Netherlands, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, depend on the type of number. Check the specific number before you pay.
What documents may be requested
The list depends on the country. You may be asked for:
- your name, and whether you register the number as an individual or as a company;
- the company name and a document that confirms the company registration, if you order for a business;
- a contact phone number;
- your address and a proof of address, for example a utility bill or a bank statement. In some countries the address must be in the same country or city as the number;
- a copy of your passport or ID;
- a tax ID, in some countries.
For some countries, you may see a list of documents like this:
First name, last name
Contact phone number
Full address
If you see this request, you simply need to send a document containing this information in text form, without verification via a passport, utility bills, or any other document. If this information is already filled out with current details in your personal profile, you don’t need to send anything at all; the information will be visible to the department responsible for activating numbers.
You can upload the documents in your Personal Account before payment.
The requirements for each document, such as the file format or how recent it must be, are different. You see them in your Personal Account next to each document, so check them before you upload.
How long activation takes
Number activation usually takes 1 to 5 business days, but most numbers become active within 1–2 days after purchase.
Numbers requiring document verification (if we haven’t received the full list of required, up-to-date documents from you right away, or if the documents are out of date or raise suspicions) may take up to 15 days to activate.
If you need a number that can be activated quickly (almost instantly), we recommend choosing a number with “XXXX” in place of the last four digits (such numbers are available only in the “For Registration” category for SMS-only numbers).
The status of numbers awaiting activation in your account may be indicated by various statuses:
"Waiting for payment" – in this case, your order is ‘on hold’. You need to remove this number from your account by clicking the bin icon next to the number and create a new order for the same number until the funds are deducted from your balance.
"Waiting manual activation" – most likely, we have either not received the required documents from you, or we are currently verifying them.
"Waiting activation" – this is the most common status. In this case, you simply need to be patient. Numbers with this status are usually activated within 1–5 working days.
If the documents are not accepted
If the documents are not accepted, we send you an email.
If you are not sure which documents you need, contact our support team before you buy.
See also
