Verify merchant accounts

After you create a merchant account that can transact, PayPal verifies the merchant's information. This process consists of the following two steps:

1. Data collection: During data collection, PayPal verifies whether you've provided all the required data points needed for the merchant to begin transacting. This verification is a one-time activity that you complete during your integration setup.
2. Data verification: During data verification, PayPal verifies your merchants automatically through electronic and manual verification. In electronic verification, we use trusted third parties to verify the identities and business details of your merchants and their contacts. This automated process often takes only seconds. Manual verification only occurs if we can't electronically verify a merchant or their details. In manual verification, we ask for documentation to help us confirm the merchant's identity.