How to Create a Coinbase Account Step-by-Step

Hey there! Are you interested in getting into the exciting world of cryptocurrency? That‘s awesome! Creating a Coinbase account is one of the easiest and safest ways to buy, sell and store popular cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

In this detailed, step-by-step guide, I‘ll show you exactly how to sign up, connect your bank account or payment method, verify your identity, and start using Coinbase to trade crypto like a pro. I‘ll also provide some tips and advice for getting the most out of Coinbase along the way. Sound good? Then let‘s get started!

An Introduction to Coinbase

Founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam, Coinbase is one of the biggest and most well-known cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide. As of 2022, Coinbase has over 89 million verified users and has processed over $455 billion worth of transactions. Impressive, right?

Part of what makes Coinbase so popular is how easy they make it for everyday people to get involved with cryptocurrency. With their intuitive interface, educational resources, and focus on security, Coinbase is the perfect on-ramp for those looking to explore the crypto ecosystem.

In addition to the main Coinbase exchange, the company offers several other products:

Coinbase Pro – Advanced trading platform with low fees and robust charting tools
Coinbase Wallet – Secure crypto wallet app to store your own private keys
Coinbase Commerce – Tools for merchants to accept crypto payments online
Coinbase Card – Debit card that lets you spend crypto anywhere VISA is accepted

Now that you know a bit about Coinbase, let‘s walk through how to create your account so you can start buying and trading coins!

When signing up for Coinbase, it‘s best to use a referral link to get a bonus reward. By using a referral link, you can earn $10 USD of free Bitcoin after you buy or sell $100 USD or more of crypto within 180 days of opening your account. Here‘s a referral link you can use:

https://www.coinbase.com/join/your_referral_code

This referral bonus will be unlocked after 180 days. You don‘t have to make the $100 purchase all at once either. It can be accumulated over multiple smaller buys to qualify.

Okay, now just click that link which will take you to the Coinbase sign up page. Time to create your account!

Step 2: Enter Your Details to Create an Account

On the sign up page, you‘ll need to enter some basic personal details. This includes:

Full Name – Enter your legal first and last name.
Email – Provide a valid email address you control. This will be used to verify your account.
Password – Create a strong password of at least 8 characters, with a mix of lowercase, uppercase, numbers and symbols.

Once you‘ve filled everything out, agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy by checking the boxes. Then click the big blue "Create Account" button to proceed.

Step 3: Verify Your Email and Phone Number

To confirm you control the email address entered, you‘ll need to verify it via a confirmation link.

Once you click create account, check your email inbox for a verification message from Coinbase. It should arrive within a few minutes. Open the email and click the blue "Verify Email Address" button inside. This will direct you back to Coinbase and complete the email verification process.

Next, you‘ll be prompted to enter a valid mobile phone number. Enter your phone number and select your country code from the dropdown menu.

Coinbase will then send a text message containing a 7-digit verification code to your phone. Input this code in the "Verification code" box and click Submit.

This two-step process of email and phone verification helps keep your account secure. If you run into any issues receiving the verification texts or emails, you can select "Resend" to have a new one sent.

Step 4: Provide Your Personal Details

To comply with identity verification and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations, you‘ll need to provide some personal information.

First, Coinbase will ask for your country of citizenship. Select the country you are a citizen of from the dropdown menu.

Next, you‘ll enter your first and last legal name along with your date of birth. To create an account, you must be at least 18 years old.

You‘ll also need to enter your physical residential address. This should be a real home address and not a P.O. box or business location.

Providing accurate personal information allows Coinbase to verify your identity and ensure your account follows all regulatory requirements.

Step 5: Answer Identity Verification Questions

The next step in the identity verification process involves answering a few brief questions.

Coinbase is required by anti-money laundering regulations to collect some basic information about your intended crypto activities. You‘ll need to answer the following types of questions:

What will you use your Coinbase account for? (Investing, transactions, etc.)
What is your total estimated trading amount per year?
What is the primary source of your income? (Employer name, retirement, etc.)

These questions help Coinbase understand the expected use of your account. Be sure to answer honestly and accurately based on your circumstances. This information remains confidential.

Step 6: Upload a Photo ID

To complete the identity verification process, you‘ll need to upload a photo of a valid, government-issued ID document.

The recommended ID types are:

Passport
Driver‘s License
National Identity Card
State ID Card

Whichever card you choose, make sure the photo is clearly visible and the name, date of birth, and ID number are legible. Follow the on-screen instructions to take pictures of the front and back of your ID card and upload them.

Uploading a real photo ID helps prove your identity and ensures your account follows KYC regulations for authentication.

Step 7: Upload Proof of Address

The final step in identity verification is uploading proof of your residential address. This links your ID details to the address you provided earlier.

For proof of address, Coinbase accepts the following documents:

Bank statement
Utility bill (electricity, water, gas, etc.)
Tax document or government-issued ID containing address

The document must contain your name and address and be dated within the last 3 months. Take a photo of the chosen document and upload it for verification.

Step 8: Wait for Account Review and Approval

Once you‘ve entered your personal information and uploaded your ID verification documents, Coinbase will review your application for approval.

The review process can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 1-2 days. You‘ll receive status updates by email as your verification is processed.

If anything is unclear or the photos don‘t meet requirements, Coinbase may require you to re-submit documents or provide additional information.

As long as you followed all the steps carefully, your account should be approved and ready to trade in no time! You‘ll receive a confirmation email when you‘re all set.

Success! Your Coinbase Account is Ready

Congratulations, you now have a Coinbase account fully verified and ready to go!

You can start buying and selling popular cryptocurrencies immediately. On the main Coinbase site, simply click the Buy/Sell menu to place trades with your linked bank account or payment method.

Here are a few tips for getting started:

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) in settings for extra security.
Review your account preferences – you can set auto-logout times, confirmation emails, and more.
Explore Coinbase pricing and fees so you know what to expect on trades.
Start small with a little crypto to get familiar with how it all works.
Check out educational resources from Coinbase like videos, articles, and the Coinbase blog to keep learning.

Over 89 million people worldwide trust Coinbase to safely buy, sell, and manage cryptocurrency. Now you can tap into the exciting world of crypto, all from the convenience of your Coinbase account!

I hope this step-by-step guide was helpful for learning how to sign up, verify your identity, and get fully set up with a Coinbase account. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to help fellow crypto enthusiasts! Here‘s to the future of finance – it‘s in your hands now 🙂