How Long Does Microsoft Advertiser Verification Take?

Quick answer

Microsoft doesn’t publish a fixed turnaround for advertiser identity verification. Clean submissions with matching details can clear quickly, while documents that need manual review can take several business days or longer. Microsoft has given advertisers a 30-day window to complete verification after its request email, so start as soon as it arrives.

The short version

Think of verification time in two parts: the time you take to submit, and the time Microsoft takes to review. You control the first part fully. The second depends on how easy your submission is to approve. A clean, consistent submission is the single biggest factor in getting through quickly.

What affects how long verification takes?

• Data match. When the business name and address in your account match the documents exactly, there’s less to check and fewer rejections.
• Document quality. Clear, current, complete documents avoid back-and-forth. Each rejection adds days.
• Business vs individual. Business verification has more steps (tax ID, business documents, website documents) than individual verification.
• Extra requests. If Microsoft asks for domain proof or additional documents, the review effectively restarts once you send them.
• Country. Accepted documents vary by market, and some need more checking.
• Email type. Accounts using a personal email need personal ID too, which adds a step.

What’s the deadline to complete it?

Verification starts with an email from Microsoft Advertising, sent to the account contacts. When the program launched, Microsoft gave advertisers 30 days from that email to complete the verification tasks. In 2023 Microsoft relaxed enforcement so that ads are paused only in specific scenarios rather than for every unverified account. Completing it promptly is still the safest course, because the rules can change and a pending request is an open risk.

Check your junk folder if you think a request may have arrived. The request is tied to specific accounts, and you’ll see the status in Account settings.

How to speed it up

1. Prepare first. Check your business name and address in Account settings before you start.
2. Use a business email on your own domain so you only need business documents.
3. Gather documents in advance: registration certificate, tax certificate and domain proof.
4. Upload clear images of original documents, not old scans.
5. Submit in one go rather than starting and abandoning the flow.
6. Track the status in Account settings and respond to any follow-up request the same day.

A realistic timeline

These are typical ranges, not Microsoft commitments.

What if verification seems stuck?

If the status hasn’t changed after a week or more, contact support by chat or phone with your Account ID and Customer ID and ask whether anything is missing. Because Microsoft’s support desk serves all advertisers and most small and mid-sized accounts don’t have a dedicated rep, a stuck verification can sit for a while. Microsoft relies on its Partner Program channel partners to support and escalate SMB cases like this through its partner team.

FAQ

Can my ads run while verification is pending?

In many cases yes, but Microsoft can pause ads in certain scenarios until verification is complete.

Does verification need to be done again?

Microsoft can request it again, for example after major account changes.

Can a partner speed up verification?

A partner can’t skip Microsoft’s review, but can make sure the submission is complete and follow up through the partner channel.

Why didn’t I receive a verification email?

Only accounts Microsoft selects get a request. Check junk folders and the verification status in Account settings.

Get verified without the wait

Adcore prepares and checks your submission and follows up with Microsoft if it stalls, free for in-house teams, agencies and freelancers. Get free Microsoft Ads support.