You can create a Coinbase account on Coinbase’s website or mobile app. You’ll need access to the email address and phone number used during signup, accurate legal information, and identity documents accepted in your country. Coinbase requires identity verification for full account functionality, and the exact prompts and payment options vary by location.
What to prepare before signing up
- An email address and phone number you can access to complete the confirmation steps.
- Your legal name and personal details, entered as they appear on your government-issued ID.
- A valid identity document accepted for your country or region. Coinbase may also request proof of address or other residence documentation.
- A current version of the Coinbase app or a supported browser, with camera or photo access enabled if you will submit documents from that device.
Coinbase’s general signup guide says users must be at least 18. It notes that the minimum age in Canadian provinces may be 18 or 19, depending on the province. Check the requirements that apply where you live in Coinbase’s account-creation guide.
How to create your account
- Start on Coinbase’s official website or app. Choose the signup option shown to you. Coinbase says users can start with an email address or, where offered, an Apple or Google account.
- Confirm your contact details. Follow the prompts to verify your email or phone. Coinbase’s email signup instructions include an email code and SMS verification; the specific steps can differ based on the signup option.
- Enter your legal information. Complete the personal-information prompts accurately, using the name shown on the government ID you intend to submit.
- Complete identity verification. Sign in and follow the verification prompts in your account. Submit the document types requested for your country and follow any instructions for a selfie or proof of address.
- Answer any regional prompts. Coinbase may ask for additional identity, payment, residence, or tax information depending on your location. Use the country-specific guidance linked from Coinbase’s account-creation guide rather than assuming the same requirements apply everywhere.
- Set up 2-step verification. Coinbase requires 2-step verification to access an account. Configure an available method and consider adding another method or backup for account recovery.
What happens during identity verification
Coinbase says identity verification is required for legal, compliance, and fraud-prevention purposes, and that account functionality is limited until verification is complete. Accepted identity documents, language rules, and whether you need to submit address evidence depend on your country or region. See Coinbase’s identity-verification guidance for the applicable document requirements.
For document capture, Coinbase recommends using a current app or supported browser, allowing camera or photo access, and submitting a valid, supported ID that is fully visible and readable. Some users may be asked for proof of address. Coinbase says it will notify you of review status within 24 hours after successful submission of the identification process; this is its stated guidance, not a guarantee of approval or a universal completion time.
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How country and region can change signup
Coinbase directs users to choose their country to see the identity and payment-method requirements that apply. Additional rules can also depend on residence or nationality, so a requirement shown to another customer may not apply to you.
United Kingdom
Coinbase’s UK guidance describes a 24-hour waiting period before new customers can start trading, as well as investor categorisation and an appropriateness assessment. These steps apply to the UK flow described by Coinbase, not to every account globally. See Coinbase’s UK account guidance.
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European Union example
Coinbase says customers in the jurisdictions listed on its EU identity page need ID verification and a live selfie. Check the current country list and instructions on Coinbase’s EU identity-verification page.
Tax-residency and tax identification prompts
Coinbase’s account guide says that, starting January 1, 2026, tax-residency and tax identification number questions apply to non-US customers residing in specified jurisdictions: Andorra, Brazil, the EU/EEA, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Coinbase states that residents of Australia, India, and APAC are excluded from this change. This is not a universal signup requirement; follow the prompts shown for your circumstances and check the current Coinbase guide, since tax requirements may change.
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Submit identity documents safely
Start verification from your signed-in Coinbase account rather than following an unexpected email link. Coinbase says its verification flow uses Coinbase-owned domains and that the URL should end in .coinbase.com. It warns that it will not ask you to upload identity documents on a non-Coinbase domain or email photos of your ID to support. If a link or request looks suspicious, sign in independently and check the verification status in your account before sharing documents.
Secure access after signup
Coinbase requires 2-step verification (2FA) to access an account and recommends using multiple methods. Its listed options include security keys, passkeys, and push notifications. A physical security key is an optional way to strengthen sign-in; it is not needed to create the account. Review the available methods and backup setup in Coinbase’s 2-step verification guide.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Rank #4
- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-C, USB-A, & NFC): Designed for PCs, Macs, iPhones, and Android. For mobile use, simply unfold the key, align it with your phone’s NFC antenna, and hold for a few seconds to authenticate.
- Enhanced MFA (FIDO2 & TOTP/HOTP): Strengthen your security with flexible options. Use the Manager App to access TOTP/HOTP features for accounts that do not yet support FIDO2.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID. NFC is supported only through mobile authentication, Not MacOS/windows.
If signup or verification does not complete
- The document is rejected or unreadable: Check that it is valid and accepted for your location, then recapture it with all edges visible and text in focus. Confirm that camera or photo permissions are enabled.
- You are asked for extra documents: Follow the signed-in account prompt. Some customers may need proof of address or other residence-related documents, depending on their situation.
- You do not see the same options as another user: Signup options, accepted documents, payment methods, and further prompts can vary by country and account status. Use Coinbase’s country-specific guidance.
- You are unsure whether a request is genuine: Do not send ID photos by email or upload them on a non-Coinbase domain. Open Coinbase independently and check the request while signed in.
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