Why is identity verification required?
To process secure payments and protect your business from fraud, all property managers using WanderOS must verify their identity. WanderOS partners with Stripe to handle this Know Your Customer (KYC) process.
This verification is required for you to become the Merchant of Record (MoR) for your site, which is what allows booking revenue to be paid out directly to your bank account.
What documents do I need before I start?
Gather everything below before starting so the flow is uninterrupted:
Item | Detail |
Tax / Business ID | EIN if you're an LLC or Corporation. SSN if you're an Individual or Sole Proprietor. |
Banking info | Account number and routing number for payouts. |
Government ID | A clear, color photo of your Driver's License, Passport, or Identity Card. |
Mobile phone | A phone capable of receiving SMS codes for two-factor authentication. |
How do I complete the verification?
Step 1: Start the flow in WanderOS
Log in to app.wander.com.
Click Payouts in the left sidebar.
Click Connect with Stripe (or Verify Identity).
You'll be redirected to a secure Stripe-hosted page to enter sensitive data.
Step 2: Set up your Stripe account
Field | Detail |
Email and mobile | Stripe sends a verification code to your phone. |
Business type | Select your legal entity (e.g., Individual / Sole Proprietorship, or Company / LLC). |
Tip: Your business type selection must match your tax documents exactly. A mismatch is the most common reason verification stalls.
Step 3: Enter personal and business details
Stripe is legally required to collect this information to comply with financial regulations.
Personal: Legal name, date of birth, home address.
Business:
Industry: Travel & Transportation → Lodging / Vacation Rentals.
Website: Your WanderOS site URL or existing direct booking URL.
Step 4: Add payout information
Enter the bank account or debit card details where booking revenue should land. This is the destination for all WanderOS payouts.
Step 5: Complete Identity Verification (IDV)
This step verifies your physical identity against your legal documents.
Upload your ID. Choose Driver's License, Passport, or Identity Card. You can upload a file or take a photo from your camera.
Image must be clear with no glare.
All four corners of the ID must be visible.
Take a selfie if prompted. Stripe may ask for a live selfie to match against your ID photo. Follow the on-screen prompts to center your face in the frame.
Step 6: Review and submit
Review all information for accuracy.
Click Submit or Done.
You'll be redirected back to the WanderOS dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is verification required?
As the Merchant of Record (MoR) for your WanderOS site, you must comply with standard financial regulations (KYC) to receive direct booking revenue and payouts.
How long does verification take?
In most cases, verification is instant. Occasionally, Stripe requires manual review which can take 1-2 business days. Check the status anytime in your WanderOS Payouts settings.
Is my sensitive data safe?
Yes. Sensitive personal data (SSN, ID photos) is processed and stored directly by Stripe using banking-grade encryption. WanderOS does not store your full government ID or tax documents on our servers.
What if my verification gets rejected?
The most common reasons are:
A mismatch between your business type and your tax documents.
A blurry or partial ID photo.
A name on the bank account that doesn't match the legal name on file.
Re-submit through the same flow with corrected information. Stripe usually surfaces the specific reason in the Payouts page.
Can I update my payout bank account later?
Yes. Return to Payouts in the WanderOS dashboard at any time to update your bank account or debit card. Changes go through Stripe's verification flow.
Best Practices
Have everything in one place before you start. Closing the browser mid-flow can require restarting parts of the verification.
Use the correct legal entity name. Your Stripe details must match exactly what's on your EIN paperwork or SSN records.
Photograph your ID in good lighting. Glare and shadows are the top cause of upload rejections.
Verify your bank account name matches. Stripe pays out only to accounts whose name matches the verified entity.
Check Payouts after submission. Confirm the status shows as verified before launching your site so your first bookings can pay out without delay.