photo id

[Evelyn44]

Hi, I contacted a host to book the house and she asked for a copy of government issued photo ID. Is this necessary?

[Ange2]

@Evelyn44  Not sure if I am answering your question. But, the host can ask you to upload a Government issued ID to a secure server on Airbnb platform, it is not shared with the host it is used by Airbnb to verify your identity.

[Lisbeth2]

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PHOTO OG MY GUEST BEFORE ACCEPTING

[Andrea9]

@Evelyn44

If you already booked. In some countries like Slovenia, I think Portugal, Croatia... etc. it's law that whoever offers short-term accommodations must file guests

with their local tourism office or police station

in advance of their booked guests' arrival with all relevant information incl. ID copy.

[Marit-Anne0]

Same in Barcelona.  Hosts need a license and they need to list and report every single guest with full name and a photo ID - just like with hotels.  

[Paul4]

Hi, I rent out whole house and I do require a both a signed contract and a government issued photo ID and I mention it in my listing. I feel it gives me extra level of protection. In a worst case scenario (which I have never experienced) I would want know who I am dealing with. My guests know about it beforehand and only a few have expressed their reluctance to send their ID. If you are uncomfortable about it let the owner know or find another place to rent.

[Dave206]

But it's difficult uploading a photo

[Xin2]

never had that happen before you can usually check the website though (directly for the hosts) 

 [link removed]

[John-and-Heather0]

@Evelyn44

We agree with @Paul4 and follow the same process (signed contract and ID).  AirBNB consistently tells hosts and guests that it is a "mere facilitator" and hosts are responsible for  complying with all of their local laws, licensing, occupancy restrictions and taxes, etc.  Having a private innkeeper register that identifies the guest, dates, and payment is a pretty common part of this compliance.

Another benefit: when your host is being this diligent, that has probably served as a deterrent to any guest who engages in criminal activity . . . so it probably means the home is a safer place for you to stay. Some hosts have horror stories about guests that seem to be drug dealers, etc. I have never hear "suspected criminal" horror stories from hosts that require ID on check in.

[Glenn43]

Someone from NJ said she could not book my space because she had inadequate ID in her profile.    Long story short she could not figure out how to post her ID and didn't feel comfortable  putting her DL on file with airbnb even though it is a secure site.  How should I respond to an inquiry like that?  I've never heard of photo ID being required by airbnb so it must be something new.  I'm a host and they never required me to have a photo ID on file.

[Andrea9]

@Glenn43

Here's what the Airbnb says:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/453/is-providing-identification-to-airbnb-secure

https://www.airbnb.com/verify

I can't answer why as host you were verified without ID. Maybe you had to upload something else. 

[Ann255]

Is there any other option? I don't trust the internet. The less info I have to provide online the better.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Ann255

There are other options, but perhaps not on airbnb. Would you take complete strangers into your without knowing who you are dealing with ? Hosts need a certain level of security. It goes both ways.

[Ann255]

I have used airbnb in the past and wasn't required to post a government id online.  Please provide other options airbnb. 

[Marit-Anne0]

@Ann255

Well, then you would need to contact airbnb and see if they can assist you in any way.