Beginner guide · Meta verification

Meta business verification: step by step

Business verification is how Meta confirms your business is real. On WhatsApp it is the step that unlocks higher messaging limits, more phone numbers and the verified badge. Here are Meta's steps in plain English.

Talk to our team Beginner's guide

Last updated: 5 November 2026

✨ Ask AI about this page:

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

Quick answer

An admin with full control of your business portfolio opens Meta Business Suite → Security Centre → Start verification, enters the legal business name, address, phone and website, uploads documents if asked, and confirms by email, phone, text, WhatsApp or domain. Meta says a decision can take up to 14 business days.

Meta's own step-by-step page

Step by step

How to verify your business with Meta

Verification happens in Meta, not in Lead Pattern. Meta's screens can change, so follow the prompts you see.

Make sure you have full control

Only a person with full control of the business portfolio (an admin) can manage verification in Meta Business Suite.

Open Security Centre

In Meta Business Suite, go to Security Centre and choose Start verification. If you see “Ineligible for verification”, you don't need to verify there for now.

Enter your business details

Type your legal business name, address, phone number and website exactly as on your official documents.

Pick your business, or upload documents

Select your business if Meta finds a match. If not, choose “None of these match” — Meta may then ask you to upload official documents, such as a business licence or articles of incorporation.

Choose how Meta confirms you

Pick a way to receive a confirmation code: email, phone call, text message or WhatsApp — or use domain verification if your website domain is already verified.

Enter the code and submit

Enter the code Meta sends and submit. If Meta asks for more information, reply within one week, or you will need to start again.

Wait for Meta's decision

Meta says a decision can take up to 14 business days. You get a notification when the review is done, and you can check the status in Security Centre.

Why it matters

What verification unlocks on WhatsApp

Only what Meta's developer documentation states.

What	Before verification	After verification
Messaging limit (unique customers you can start chats with in 24 hours)	250 for a new business portfolio	Verifying is one path to 2,000, after Meta reviews your message quality. Then 10,000 → 100,000 → unlimited by automatic scaling
Registered business phone numbers	Up to 2	Raised to 20
Verified badge (Official Business Account)	Not possible	Possible — verification is one of Meta's five conditions
Throughput (sending speed)	—	Meta says verification status factors into higher throughput

Source: Meta for Developers — [messaging limits](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/messaging-limits), business phone numbers, Official Business Accounts and About the WhatsApp Business Platform.

Verified badge: verification is only one condition

Meta lists five conditions for an Official Business Account — the verified badge next to your name: your business follows the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy, has been on the WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days, your business portfolio is verified, the number has two-step verification switched on, and the number's display name is approved. If Meta denies the request, you must wait 30 days before asking again. Lead Pattern handles the application for you for free. Green tick guide →

Top reasons Meta lists for rejection

The legal name on the document doesn't match the name in business settings
The address on the document is missing or incomplete
The document is self-filled, without an official signature or seal
The document has expired, or the scan is blurry, small or broken
The documents are in a language Meta doesn't support (translate into English with an agency stamp)
The website doesn't load, isn't HTTPS or shows an error page
False or misleading information — Meta says this can block verification permanently

Got rejected? Here's what to do next →

Where Lead Pattern fits

Inside Lead Pattern you connect your number from the Home dashboard → Connect with WhatsApp, which opens Meta's own Embedded Signup window. You can start messaging within Meta's starting limits right away; verification and display-name review are done by Meta. Lead Pattern Help Center: Meta onboarding →

Frequently asked questions

Where do I start Meta business verification?+

In Meta Business Suite, open Security Centre and choose Start verification. You need full control of the business portfolio.

How long does Meta business verification take?+

Meta says a decision can take up to 14 business days. You get a notification when the review is done.

Can I use the WhatsApp Business API before I am verified?+

Yes. You can start messaging within Meta's starting limit — 250 unique customers in 24 hours for a new business portfolio. Verification is one way to move up to 2,000.

Does verification give me the green tick?+

Not by itself. Verification is one of five conditions Meta lists for the verified badge (Official Business Account). Meta decides; no provider can guarantee it.

I can't find my verification status in Security Centre.+

Meta says to go back to where you first started verification — for example Ads Manager or Commerce Manager.

What if I change my business details later?+

Meta says you will need to complete verification again, so enter the details exactly as on your documents.

Keep reading

Get the official WhatsApp Business API — free setup, 14-day trial.

Lead Pattern is an official Meta Tech Provider. Setup and green-tick application help are free, and the Growth plan has a 14-day free trial.

Start your Free Trial now Book a Demo Chat on WhatsApp

14-day free trial · No credit card · Free WhatsApp API setup

Meta business verification: step by step

How to verify your business with Meta

Make sure you have full control

Open Security Centre

Enter your business details

Pick your business, or upload documents

Choose how Meta confirms you

Enter the code and submit

Wait for Meta's decision

What verification unlocks on WhatsApp

Verified badge: verification is only one condition

Top reasons Meta lists for rejection

Where Lead Pattern fits

Frequently asked questions

Related beginner guides

WhatsApp Business API for beginners

Documents needed

Verification rejected?

Who can get the API?

Setup checklist

Which phone number to use

How long setup takes

Green tick guide

Get the official WhatsApp Business API — free setup, 14-day trial.