How to get verified at Mt. Gox

Bitcoin is said to be an anonymous currency. While it’s true that bitcoin addresses are not linked to any sort of real-world identity, it gets complicated when you try to convert bitcoins into world currency. Mt. Gox recently started requiring real-world identification of its members before they could transfer real-world funds into their accounts, which is a fundamental part of using any currency exchange! Assuming you're not quitting Mt. Gox, here's our guide on how to get verified.

If you haven't joined already, you'll need an account at Mt. Gox. Head over to http://www.mtgox.com, and click the signup link.

Once you've given your username and password, you'll receive an email with a confirmation code that you can either paste into the website or just click the link in the email.

As you are guided through the signup process, you'll be brought to a page where you have to fill in your physical address. Complete this form and click Next.

Next you'll have to provide a photo or PDF scan of some photo ID. It can be a passport, drivers licence or national ID card. Type in the ID number on the page form, and click the "Choose File" button and select the image or PDF of your card.

Next you'll need to prove you live where you say you do. You can provide a monthly utility bill, Internet bill, cellphone bill, a tax return, residency certificate or medical insurance bill. Again you can provide a photo (.jpg or .png) of the document or a PDF scan. The other stipulation is that the document must have been issued within the last six months.

Again, click the "Choose File" button to select the corresponding file on your computer. Note, when I first uploaded my pair of scans, for some reason they were rejected. Fortunately, you can upload multiple proofs of residency, so I uploaded another utility bill. Almost instantly, I received an email telling me I was verified.

If you don't have a scanner, or you're in a rush, there are reliable scanning apps out there for your smartphone. We recommend CamScanner for Android and Scanner Pro for the iPhone.