ID verification for parents

Parents verify their identity once, with a photo ID and a selfie, before they can book a sitter or message one they haven't booked. It takes a few minutes, you only do it once, and sitters see that you've done it.

When the app asks

Wherever it starts, the check opens with "You'll need to verify your identity to message and book sitters on Wyndy." You don't need to verify to sign up, post a job or browse sitters. Messaging a sitter you've already booked doesn't need it either.

Verify your ID

1. Have your driver's license ready, and find good light.

   You'll photograph your license and take a selfie. Once the check begins, you need to finish it in one go, so start when you have a few minutes.

2. Tap Verify ID, Verify Now or Start verification.

   The label depends on where you start. Each one opens the same check. From the applicants panel, the app first explains what you'll need, then you tap Start verification.

3. Scan your ID.

   Follow the prompts to photograph your government photo ID. It's checked to make sure it's genuine.

4. Take a selfie.

   A live selfie is matched against the photo on your ID, so the person on the account is the person on the ID.

5. Wait on the screen while it's checked.

   You may see "We're reviewing your ID and selfie" with "This can take a couple minutes." Stay on that screen until it finishes.

When it passes, the app shows "Identity confirmed! You can now message and book sitters on Wyndy." If you started from a booking, tap Continue to finish it. You also get a push notification titled "Identity Verified": "Your identity has been verified. You can now book sitters on Wyndy."

If it doesn't go through

The app shows "Verification didn't go through". Where there's a specific reason, such as an expired document, the app tells you so you can fix it. Otherwise it says "Please try again to continue. You'll need to verify your identity to use Wyndy."

• Tap Try again to start a new check.
• Tap Have a question? Get help to open our contact page.

What sitters see

Once you're verified, your profile shows ID Verified at the top, and so does the top of your Me tab. Before that, sitters see "Not yet verified". Sitters also see a Wyndy Verified section: "Every family on Wyndy verifies their ID before they can book or message a sitter." It lists three checks:

Sitters see that these checks passed. They don't see your ID or your selfie.

Your data

The check runs through a secure ID verification partner. The app describes it as "quick, private, and never shared." Our privacy policy explains what Wyndy keeps.

Good to know

• It's one time per parent profile. Later bookings skip the ID step and go straight to Confirm Booking.
• Doing both steps early, from the "Speed up your booking" panel, means booking a sitter later takes one tap.
• Sitters don't do this check. They go through a full background check instead. See Sitter background checks.

Questions

Why do parents have to verify?

It's "a quick, one-time step to help keep Wyndy sitters safe." Sitters pass a full background check before they meet you, and this lets them know every family is who they say they are.

Do I need a driver's license?

The app asks for your driver's license. Have it with you before you start.

Does verifying cost anything?

No. On your first booking the summary shows "Due today: $0". You're charged for the job after it ends.

It keeps failing. What should I do?

Read the reason on the "Verification didn't go through" screen and fix that first. If it still fails, tap Get help, or write to us from Me, then Help.

Can I verify before I find a sitter?

Yes. Tap Verify Your ID on your profile, or use the "Speed up your booking" panel on your job's applicants.

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