Stripe Verification

To receive referral fee payouts on Trusted Bench, you need to complete identity verification through Stripe Connect. This is a one-time setup process that confirms your identity and connects your bank account for receiving payments.

Stripe handles all verification securely. Trusted Bench never sees or stores your sensitive personal or banking information.

Why Verification is Required

Identity verification is required for several important reasons:

• Receive payouts — Your 80% share of referral fees can only be deposited after verification
• Financial regulations — Stripe must verify your identity to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements
• Network trust — Verification helps maintain a trusted network of legitimate professionals

Without completing verification, any pending payouts will be held until your account is verified.

What You'll Need

Before starting the verification process, gather the following information:

Identity Verification

• Government-issued ID — Driver's license, passport, or state ID
• Personal information — Legal name, date of birth, last 4 digits of SSN

Business Information

• Business type — Sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, or partnership
• Business address — Your registered business address
• Tax information — EIN (for businesses) or SSN (for sole proprietors)

Bank Account

• Routing number — Your bank's 9-digit routing number
• Account number — Your checking or savings account number

All information is submitted directly to Stripe through their secure interface.

The Verification Process

Stripe verification is completed through a guided, secure flow hosted by Stripe.

Starting Verification

You can begin verification in two places:

1. During onboarding — Step 4 of the initial setup process
2. From settings — Go to Settings → Payments in your dashboard

Click Set Up Stripe Connect to begin.

Stripe's Onboarding Flow

After clicking the button, you'll be redirected to Stripe's secure onboarding interface where you'll:

1. Enter personal details — Name, date of birth, address, and SSN
2. Verify your identity — Upload a photo of your government ID
3. Add business information — Business type, name, and tax details
4. Connect your bank — Enter your bank account and routing numbers

The entire process typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

Returning to Trusted Bench

After completing Stripe's onboarding:

1. You're automatically redirected back to Trusted Bench
2. Your account status updates to show verification is in progress
3. Stripe reviews your information (usually within minutes)
4. Once verified, your status updates to "Account Verified"

You can continue using Trusted Bench while verification is processing.

Verification States

Your Stripe Connect account will be in one of three states:

Not Started

You'll see a prompt to set up Stripe Connect with a clear call-to-action button.

Verification in Progress

After submitting your information, Stripe reviews it for verification. This typically takes just a few minutes but may take longer in some cases. You'll see a blue status indicator showing verification is in progress.

If your session was interrupted, you can click Continue Setup to resume where you left off.

Verified

Once Stripe confirms your identity and bank account, your status changes to verified. You'll see a green success indicator and can now receive payouts when jobs in your network complete.

After Verification

Once your account is verified:

• Payouts enabled — You'll automatically receive your 80% share when job payments are captured
• Bank deposits — Funds are deposited to your connected bank account on Stripe's payout schedule (typically daily)
• Dashboard access — You can access your Stripe dashboard to view transactions, update bank info, and download tax documents

For details on how payouts work and when you'll receive funds, see Payouts.

Troubleshooting

Verification Taking Too Long

Most verifications complete within minutes. If yours is taking longer:

• Check your email — Stripe may have sent a request for additional information
• Log back in — Return to Settings → Payments to check your current status
• Contact Stripe — For extended delays, reach out to Stripe Support directly

ID Verification Failed

If your identity verification fails:

• Check photo quality — Ensure your ID photo is clear, well-lit, and all text is readable
• Match your information — The name on your ID must match the name you entered
• Try a different ID — Use an alternative form of government ID if available
• Avoid expired documents — Your ID must not be expired

Bank Account Issues

If there's a problem with your bank account:

• Verify account numbers — Double-check your routing and account numbers
• Use a checking account — Some savings accounts may have restrictions
• Ensure account is active — The account must be open and in good standing

Incomplete Setup

If your setup was interrupted:

1. Go to Settings → Payments in your dashboard
2. Click Continue Setup to resume
3. Complete any remaining steps in Stripe's onboarding

Your progress is saved, so you won't need to re-enter previously submitted information.

Security & Privacy

Your sensitive information is protected by industry-leading security:

• Stripe handles everything — All personal and banking data is processed by Stripe, a PCI-DSS Level 1 certified payment processor
• We never see your data — Trusted Bench cannot access your SSN, bank account numbers, or ID documents
• Encrypted transmission — All data is transmitted over secure, encrypted connections
• Secure storage — Stripe stores your information using bank-level security measures

Related Documentation

• Payouts — How referral fee payouts work and when you'll receive funds
• Referral Fees — Understanding the 80/20 fee split and tier structure

FAQ

How long does verification take?

Most verifications complete within minutes. In some cases, Stripe may need additional time or information, which can extend the process to 1-2 business days.

Can I use a personal account instead of a business account?

Yes. If you operate as a sole proprietor, you can complete verification using your personal information and SSN. You don't need a registered business entity to receive payouts.

What if my verification fails?

If verification fails, Stripe will notify you of the reason. Common issues include unclear ID photos, mismatched information, or unsupported document types. You can re-attempt verification after addressing the issue.

Can I change my bank account later?

Yes. After verification, you can update your bank account through your Stripe dashboard. Go to Settings → Bank accounts and scheduling to add a new account or change your default payout destination.

What happens to payouts if I haven't verified?

Jobs can still be routed and accepted by pros in your network. However, your 80% payout will be held until you complete Stripe Connect verification. Once verified, any pending payouts will be released to your account.

Is my information shared with anyone?

Your personal and banking information is only used by Stripe for verification and payment processing. Trusted Bench does not have access to your sensitive details, and Stripe does not share your information with third parties except as required for payment processing or by law.

Do I need to verify again if I change my business structure?

If you change your business type (e.g., from sole proprietor to LLC), you may need to update your information with Stripe. Access your Stripe dashboard to update your business details.