If your document is rejected, it’s usually not because of the information itself, but because of the quality of the scan. To prevent this from happening, we suggest you follow these tips:
Lighting is key
- Avoid using the flash: The camera’s flash often creates a “white spot” over critical information (such as your date of birth or signature)
- Indirect natural light: Position yourself near a window during the day, but not in direct sunlight.
- Watch out for overhead lights: If there’s a light bulb directly above you, tilt the document slightly or take a step back so the glare doesn’t fall on the text.
Framing and composition
- Don’t crop the edges: The system needs to see all four corners of the document.
- Contrasting background: Place your ID on a dark, smooth surface (a wooden table or black cardstock). This helps the camera focus on the document and not the background.
- Keep your distance: Don’t hold your phone too close. It’s better to leave a little SPACE around the document and let the camera focus properly than to end up with a blurry close-up.
Sharpness and Readability
- Clean the lens: It seems obvious, but a fingerprint on the camera lens is the cause of 50% of “blurry” images.
- Manual focus: Tap the text on the document on your phone's screen before taking the photo to force the focus.
- Avoid holding it in your hand: If possible, place the document on a flat surface. Your fingers might block important information, or the movement of your hand could cause blurring.
Still having problems?
- Switch devices: Sometimes, the browser on certain phones doesn’t handle the camera properly. Try completing the process on another phone or tablet with better resolution.
- Physical vs. digital document: Make sure you’re photographing the original document. Photos of screens, photocopies, or screenshots will be automatically rejected for security reasons.