Identity verification overview
Identity verification for your Alibaba Cloud account includes individual and enterprise identity verification. You must complete identity verification before purchasing Alibaba Cloud products or services.
Why is identity verification required?
Identity verification protects your account from unauthorized use and identity theft.
Chinese law (Anti-Telecommunication and Online Fraud Law, Network Security Law) requires identity verification before purchasing Alibaba Cloud products or services. Without verification, you cannot purchase, renew, or use most cloud services.
Impact of unverified accounts
Unable to purchase most cloud products: Products such as ECS, RDS, OSS, SLB, and SSL certificates require the account to complete identity verification before purchase.
Domain names cannot be resolved normally: Domain identity verification requires the account to first complete identity verification. An unverified domain cannot be resolved.
Unable to issue invoices: Unverified accounts cannot apply for or issue VAT invoices.
Some security features are restricted: Certain security-related features (such as some MFA operations) require identity verification to use.
Unable to participate in new user exclusive promotions: Promotions such as discounted Light Weight Application Server plans require identity verification before eligibility can be determined.
What are the differences between individual and enterprise identity verification?
Individual identity verification is for individual users with access to a limited range of cloud products. Individual identity verification.
Enterprise identity verification is for companies or organizations with access to a wider range of cloud products. Enterprise identity verification.
Type | Individual identity verification | Enterprise identity verification |
Applicable to | Individual users | Enterprises, sole proprietorships, government agencies, public institutions, schools, and organizations. |
Verification methods |
| |
Invoice information | General VAT invoices. | Special or general VAT invoices. |
Product access | Limited to personal cloud products. | Full range of personal and enterprise cloud products (such as text message, Content Moderation, and Authoritative DNS Resolution Enterprise Edition). |
Authentication limits | An ID card can be used to verify a maximum of 6 accounts. | An enterprise entity can verify a maximum of 10 accounts. |
If the account limit does not meet your business needs, contact your account manager.
The eligibility to purchase services such as "Authoritative DNS Resolution" is determined by the account's identity verification type, not by the domain ICP filing entity. If you need to build a company website, set up a corporate email, or other business purposes, please use an enterprise-verified account.
Cost: Alibaba Cloud account registration and identity verification (including enterprise verification) are completely free of charge.
Limitations
Item | Details |
One identity per account | Each account supports only one verification: individual or enterprise. |
Age requirement | Users under the age of 14 are not permitted to complete identity verification. |
Verification unbinding | Once complete, verification cannot be changed or removed. If the account is no longer needed, close the account. |
Invoice management | Each account has one invoice title, defaulting to the verified entity name. To change the invoice title: Modify invoice information (title). |
FAQ
Does account identity verification need to match domain name verification?
No. These are separate processes:
Account identity verification confirms your legal ownership of the Alibaba Cloud account. Account identity verification is divided into individual and enterprise verification based on the entity type. Each account can only be verified under one entity, and account identity verification primarily concerns account ownership.
Domain name verification confirms ownership of a specific domain. It is required for domains purchased on the Alibaba Cloud website. A domain name cannot be parsed without this verification. How to complete identity verification for a domain name.
One account can manage multiple domains, each verified under different entities.
A domain registered under your account can have its domain verification entity differ from your Alibaba Cloud account verification entity. This is normal and does not indicate the existence of another Alibaba Cloud account.
How do I check whether an enterprise entity is already verified?
Due to security and privacy restrictions, you cannot directly query the identity verification details of other accounts. We recommend visiting the Account Query page, entering the enterprise entity information, and completing the legal representative facial recognition verification. If this entity already has a verified account, the page will display the corresponding account login name. If the entity has not registered or completed verification, the page will show "not found".
Can an unverified account submit an ICP filing application?
An unverified account can submit a new domain name ICP filing application, but whether the filing is ultimately approved depends on Alibaba Cloud's initial review and the provincial communications authority review. We recommend completing identity verification as early as possible to improve the filing approval rate.
How do I view the identity verification type and entity information of my Alibaba Cloud account?
Entry point: Log in to the Alibaba Cloud console and visit the Account Center overview page or the Verification Information page.
Viewing method: Click the Show plaintext toggle in the upper-right corner of the page, complete identity verification (such as SMS code or MFA), and you will be able to view the full entity name, ID number, and other sensitive information.
Permission note: RAM users cannot view plaintext information by default. You need to log in with the primary account to view.
Can one phone number be linked to both individually and enterprise-verified accounts?
A single phone number can register up to 6 Alibaba Cloud accounts. These accounts can be individually verified or enterprise-verified separately, so the phone number can be linked to accounts of different verification types.
Each Alibaba Cloud account can only be bound to one identity verification entity. There is no scenario where a single account is bound to multiple entities. The perception of "multiple entities" is typically because the same phone number is associated with multiple different Alibaba Cloud accounts.
My Alipay or Taobao account is already verified, why does my Alibaba Cloud account still show as unverified?
Alibaba Cloud account identity verification and Alipay/Taobao identity verification are independent systems and are not automatically synchronized. Even if your Alipay or Taobao account has completed identity verification, you still need to log in to the Alibaba Cloud console separately to complete the Alibaba Cloud account identity verification process.
What is the relationship between multiple Alibaba Cloud accounts under the same enterprise verification?
Multiple accounts verified under the same enterprise entity are all primary accounts. They are independent of each other with no subordinate relationship. Each account has full permissions and independent asset ownership.
What is the difference between Alibaba Cloud account identity verification and Student verification?
Account identity verification is the identity verification of the account entity (individual or enterprise), which is a prerequisite for using cloud services.
Student verification is an additional qualification certification for students, used to enjoy specific promotions or discounts.
These are independent verification types, and an account can have both simultaneously.
What is the data source for enterprise identity verification information?
Alibaba Cloud enterprise identity verification information is based on the official data from the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.
What should public institutions and similar organizations do if they cannot complete online self-service identity verification?
If you cannot complete online self-service verification, you can apply for manual verification by submitting materials through a support ticket. Required materials include:
A "Manual Addition of Certification Application Letter" (stamped with the official seal of the organization, signed by the handling person with a fingerprint).
A photo of the original (duplicate copy) of the organization's latest and valid public institution legal person certificate.
A photo of the handling person holding their original ID card (front and back).
One of the following two verification methods:
Provide an official publicly available phone number for Alibaba Cloud to call back for confirmation.
Have an existing successfully verified account submit a ticket to initiate a consent verification association.
Please submit the above materials through a support ticket, and Alibaba Cloud will conduct a manual review after receiving the materials.