Asking for ID

[Kyle1029]

I would like to require a photo id for my guests. I see posts that it must be on listing requirements. I can't seem to find where I should do this or how? I've searched for posts and looked all over my dashboard. Could someone guide me in the right direction please?  Thank you!

[Guy991]

Hello @Kyle1029 ,

I think it makes a lot of sense to require ID from people staying at a property. In Portugal, it’s mandatory, and I still have to explain it to some guests who are reluctant to cooperate. Make a note of when you added this requirement so you can see if it affects your bookings.

I also couldn’t find a specific place to mention it, so I added it under ‘Additional Rules’ in the House Rules section. In addition, I mention it again in the scheduled message I send to guests immediately after their reservation. I encourage them to send me copies through the chat in advance for a faster check-in process. All our check-ins are in person, so we ensure guests comply with this request. 

Consider planning ahead scenarios where guests make a reservation but refuse to provide ID, claiming they didn’t read the information. Will you still accept them? How would you handle these situations without negatively affecting your listing?

Personally, I think it should be mandatory, just like in hotels, where guests can’t check in without an ID. 

[Joelle43]

Hello @Kyle1029 and @Guy991 

Just to add to Guy's great advice, there is in fact a box that you can tick on the Listing Editor to indicate to guests that you require a proper ID photo of guests.

==>On the Listing Editor you see three Lines on top of each other, just after the arrival guide.  Click on these to get to Edit Preferences as shown below:

All the best
Joëlle

[Guy991]

Dear @Joelle43 

The profile photo can be anything; it is the small icon that appears with the reservation.
I hope he is referring to an actual official document with a photo. The profile photo is not an ID. 

[Paula]

Hello @Kyle1029, I hope everything is going well with you.

Two of our most experienced hosts have shared their advice on how to request an ID photo from guests. Thank you so much, @Joelle43 and @Guy991!

@Kyle1029, if you find any of their answers particularly useful, please don’t hesitate to mark it as the top answer. You can do this by clicking the button below the comment, as shown in the following image:

This will help future Hosts with similar questions easily find this conversation.

All the best.