# Getting Started

### Create an Account

1. Navigate to [`https://app.getbold.io/signup`](https://app.getbold.io/signup).
2. Enter your email and click `Continue`.
3. Confirm you are a resident of the United States and click `Continue`. 

{% hint style="warning" %}
Note: At this time Bold is exclusively available to customers who reside in the United States. 
{% endhint %}

4. Select the `State` where you are a resident.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note**: At this time, Bold does not serve customers in the following states: Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington DC.
{% endhint %}

5. Enter your `First name` and `Last name` and create a `Password`.
   1. If you have a `Referral code`, select the check-box and type in the code.
6. Review the terms, agree to them, and click `Sign up.` 

After following these steps, you now have a Bold account and can login. 

The next step to unlock all of Bold's features is Account Verification.

### Account Verification

1. Click `Start account verification` button

<figure><img src="https://3458648779-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FfX5DReqJv5E3y7yE5s9N%2Fuploads%2FSSYvVPoReUmi4EmlLZac%2FScreenshot%202025-06-23%20at%2011.00.38%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=52f178b6-ab56-4f5a-a3cc-4cb6b65c9760" alt="" width="322"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Follow the steps to enable `2FA` (Two-Factor Authentication), or skip this step and do it later.
   1. If you don't have an authenticator app yet, Bold recommends [Google Authenticator](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2\&hl=en_US\&pli=1).
3. Enter into Bold the 2FA code your authenticator app provides and click `Verify`.
4. After you `Verify` your 2FA, enter your personal information, including `First name`, `Last name`, `Social security number`, `Date of birth`, `Phone number`, and specify how you will use Bold.&#x20;

{% hint style="danger" %}
The name you used to sign up for Bold must exactly match the name on your ID and the name on your outside bank account you will link to Bold.
{% endhint %}

5. Confirm your `Address.`
6. Verify your email. Enter the `Code` that was sent to your email and click `Next`.&#x20;
7. Verify your phone number. Enter the SMS `Code` sent to your phone number and click `Next`.
8. Fill out your Trading Experience and Goals and click `Next`.
   1. Say your experience with crypto and how much bitcoin you intend to buy monthly.
9. Use the dropdown menus to fill out the `About you` section and click `Next`.
   1. &#x20;Say the source of deposited funds and your employment status.
      1. If your annual projected bitcoin purchases are over $50,000 you will have to fill out additional fields about your employment status and history.&#x20;
10. Upload your government issued ID.&#x20;
    1. Acceptable forms of ID include: Driver's License, US Passport, or other government issued ID with your photo.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
Only PNG, JPG, JPEG or PDF formats are accepted.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
For customers age 65 years and older, after submitting your documents, you will be prompted to upload a video of yourself.&#x20;

In the video:

1\) State your name and the date.&#x20;

2\) Hold up to the camera the government issued ID your submitted earlier.

3\) Hold up to the camera a printed-out proof of address document.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary>Common reasons for why your ID Verification failed or why additional information is required:</summary>

There are many reasons why your ID verification can fail or additional information may be required. Below are common errors:&#x20;

1. **There was an error with the document you provided.** This can occur if you did not submit a valid form of ID, the ID was expired, or the image was blurry and unreadable. You will be prompted to return to the ID Verification step to resubmit a valid form of ID.&#x20;
2. **The name you supplied on your account does not match the name in your ID.** If your ID does not reflect a legal name change, you will be prompted to provide a legal document that authorizes the name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or name change affidavit).&#x20;
3. **The date of birth supplied does not match the date of birth in your ID.** You will be asked to confirm your date of birth and resubmit.&#x20;
4. **The SSN and name supplied do not match the Social Security Administration's records.** You will be asked to verify that your social security number and name are correct and then resubmit.&#x20;
5. **The address given needs to be verified with proof of residence.** You will be prompted to provide documentation dated within the last 90 days to confirm your address.&#x20;

</details>

11. Click `Connect bank account` and link your bank account through Plaid.&#x20;
12. Your Bold account will be fully verified once your identification is approved and your bank account is linked.

**Welcome to Bold.**