Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
To set up a Venmo account, install the Venmo app on an iPhone or Android phone, pick a signup method, create a password, verify your phone number and email, and then add and verify a bank account. Creating the account is the easy part. Venmo handles identity verification separately, and it mostly matters once you want to spend a Venmo balance or move larger amounts.
What are the requirements for using Venmo?
Venmo’s published eligibility rules say you must:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- be physically located in the United States;
- have a U.S.-based cell phone that can send and receive short-code text messages;
- be at least 18, or the age of majority in your state; and
- use a phone number that is not already on file with another Venmo account.
Venmo also sets minimum software requirements. Its help pages list a recent app version (7.38.2 or newer in the version we saw) and iOS 17 or Android Lollipop (API 26) or higher. These numbers change as Venmo updates the app. If the app won’t install or open, check the store listing and your phone’s update screen first.
Step-by-step: creating your account
- Download the app. Install Venmo from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and open it.
- Choose a signup method. Follow the on-screen options to start a new account.
- Create a password. Venmo’s stated rule is 8–20 characters with at least one number or symbol. A password manager is the easiest way to generate and store one.
- Verify your phone number and email. Venmo texts a code to your number and prompts you to confirm your email. Use a phone number and email address you will keep long term, because they are how you recover the account.
- Add and verify a bank account. The next section covers both ways to do this.
Legal name versus display name
Venmo asks for your legal name during signup, mainly to support identity verification. That doesn’t have to be what other people see. Venmo’s FAQ says you can use a display name of your choosing, so enter your legal name accurately and treat the public name as a separate setting.
#1 Best Overall
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Do I need to add a debit card at sign-up?
No. A debit-card offer may appear during signup, but you can choose Not now or Try later and add a payment method later in Settings. Venmo explains that a bank account or debit card is what lets you transfer money you’ve received out of Venmo, so you will want one eventually if you plan to cash out.
Verifying your bank account
There are two routes. Which one you get depends mostly on your bank.
Rank #2
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
| Instant verification | Manual verification (microdeposits) | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Only for eligible banks, through Plaid | Fallback when instant isn’t available or fails |
| What you enter | Your online banking sign-in, via Plaid | Bank routing and account numbers |
| Time to finish | Typically immediate | Usually 1–3 business days |
How manual verification works
Venmo sends two small deposits and two small withdrawals, each under $1. They offset each other, so you don’t lose money. Watch your bank statement for them over the next 1–3 business days, then go back into the Venmo app and enter the two deposit amounts. Keep enough money in the account while this happens so the withdrawals don’t cause an overdraft or fees.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Identity verification: when it matters
Signing up does not automatically put you through full identity verification. Venmo says verification lets you use money held in your Venmo balance for payments, and it can enable higher sending and transfer limits. Venmo’s help page lists activity that may trigger a request:
Rank #3
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
- sending $300 or more in a rolling seven-day period;
- transferring $1,000 or more to a bank in one week;
- managing an organization account; or
- receiving goods-and-services payments.
These are the figures Venmo currently reports, and they can change.
How to start verification
In the app, go to Me tab → Settings (gear icon) → Identity Verification. When Venmo’s automated checks succeed, it often takes a few minutes.
Rank #4
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
If Venmo asks for documents
Venmo’s document page lists these examples:
- Identity: a U.S. passport, driver license, or other government-issued ID.
- Address: a recent financial statement, utility bill, pay stub, lease, car registration, or IRS letter.
- SSN or ITIN: evidence of the number.
Upload clear, legible, unexpired images with the entire document visible. Review can take up to three business days, and Venmo may ask you to resubmit.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallNo SSN or ITIN
Venmo says people without an SSN or ITIN can’t complete identity verification. They can still use the app with limits. They can make payments funded by a chosen payment method, receive payments, and transfer funds out. They can’t spend unverified Venmo-held funds on payments.
Best Value
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Why does it say my phone number or email is already on file?
Start with the likely cause: you already made an account and forgot. Try signing in or recovering it. If the number belongs to someone else’s account, Venmo points to ownership verification or contacting support. Don’t create a second account to get around it.
Getting a new phone number
Venmo advises against opening another account. Sign in to your existing one, update the number in settings, and confirm it with the text code.
Other signup problems
- Bank deposits never appear: wait the full 1–3 business days, then re-check the routing and account numbers you entered and follow Venmo’s bank-verification troubleshooting steps.
- Can’t receive the sign-in code: use Venmo’s account recovery options or contact support. When asking for help, never share full card or bank account numbers.
- Documents rejected: retake the photos in good light with all four edges visible, and confirm nothing has expired.
Locking down the new account
Venmo says it encrypts account information and monitors for unauthorized transactions. You still need to guard your own credentials. Venmo’s security page states: “Nobody at Venmo will ever contact you to request a password or verification code for your account.” Anyone who asks for either is not Venmo.
Recommended Free Tools
Venmo also says document requests go through forms in the app, in-app chat, or a secure upload form on help.venmo.com, not through texts or emailed attachments. Finally, turn on the passcode or biometric lock in the app’s settings so a lost phone doesn’t expose your payments.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
