Identity Verification
Why Verification?
Curba requires identity verification to keep the community safe. Verified users build trust with renters and hosts alike.
Who Needs to Verify?
- Hosts - You must verify your identity before creating a listing
- Renters - You can browse without verification, but identity verification is required to rent items.
How to Verify
- Go to your Profile page
- Click the Verify Identity banner
- You'll be redirected to Stripe Identity (our secure verification partner)
- Upload a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.)
- Take a selfie for facial matching
- Wait for verification - this usually takes a few minutes
After Verification
- You'll receive a Welcome email confirming your verification
- Your profile will show a verification badge
- You can now create listings
Verification Statuses
Your verification can be in one of these states. The current state is shown on your Profile page (next to "Identity verified" / "Verify identity"):
| Status | What it means | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Not started | You haven't begun verification | Click Verify Identity in your profile to start |
| Processing | Stripe is reviewing your documents | Wait - usually a few minutes, occasionally up to a few hours |
| Requires input | Stripe needs more info from you (e.g. couldn't read your ID, selfie didn't match) | Re-open the verification flow and try again with the suggestions below |
| Verified | You're fully verified | You can now list items and submit rental inquiries |
| Canceled | You started verification but didn't finish, or it expired before completion | Re-open the verification flow to start again |
Re-Verifying After a Failed Attempt
If your verification fails or comes back as "Requires input", you can retry as many times as you need without contacting support:
- Go to your Profile page
- The Verify Identity button will be visible again - click it
- You'll be sent through the Stripe Identity flow with a fresh session
- Use the troubleshooting tips below to give yourself the best chance of passing on the next try
There's no waiting period or limit on retries.
Updating Verified Information
Once you're verified, the legal name, date of birth, and address on your account come from your government-issued ID and can no longer be changed by you in the app - these fields drive your Stripe Connect host onboarding and your tax records.
If any of these change in real life (e.g. you got married and changed your last name, or moved provinces), email support@curba.app with:
- The booking ID or your account email
- A short description of what changed
- A copy of your updated government-issued ID
The support team will trigger a re-verification through Stripe Identity. Your existing verified status stays valid in the meantime so you're not blocked from listing or renting.
You can update your display first name, last name, and phone number in the app yourself (Profile > Edit) without going through this process - those fields are independent of verified data.
What Happens to Your Verification Data
Curba is built around the principle of holding as little sensitive data as possible. Here's exactly where your verification data lives:
| Data | Where it's stored |
|---|---|
| Photos of your government-issued ID | Stripe - never on Curba's servers |
| Your selfie | Stripe - never on Curba's servers |
| Verification result (passed / failed) | Curba |
| Verified first name and last name | Curba |
| Verified date of birth | Curba |
| Verified address | Curba |
| Stripe verification session ID | Curba (used to look up the result if you re-verify) |
How the data is used
- To prevent fraud - verified identities make it harder for bad actors to operate on the platform
- To pre-fill your Stripe Connect host onboarding so you don't have to re-enter the same name, address, and DOB
- To meet Canadian Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money-laundering requirements that apply to platforms processing rental payments
- To populate your tax records and earnings reports as a host
How long it's kept
- Verification results stay on your Curba account for as long as the account exists
- Stripe retains the actual ID images and selfie according to its own policies and regulatory requirements (typically 7 years for Canadian KYC)
- If you delete your Curba account, the verification result on Curba's side is removed, but the documents at Stripe are retained for the legally required period
For the full picture, see our Privacy Policy.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Verification failed | Ensure your ID is clear, unobstructed, and matches your profile name |
| Photo too blurry | Use good lighting and hold your device steady |
| ID not accepted | Try a different government-issued ID (passport, driver's license) |
| Selfie doesn't match | Remove glasses, hats, or anything covering your face |
| Still showing "Processing" after a few hours | Refresh your profile - if still stuck, email support@curba.app |
| You changed your legal name | Email support@curba.app to trigger a re-verification |
| Still having issues | Contact Curba support at support@curba.app or call +1 825 256 5110 |