How verification works
How It Works
How do you know the person behind a listing is real? Or that the guest asking about your home is who they say they are? On most sites, a name and a profile photo are all you have to go on. Some sites won't even let you see the person's photo.
On DirectStay, every Host and every Traveler verifies once, with a government-issued ID and a live selfie, before they can message or book. Do it once and it covers every destination.
Nnaji ChristianTraveler- Government-issued ID - check once
- Live selfie matched to the ID
- Covers every destination
This is what the other side sees: name, photo, verified. Nothing else.
What does the Verified badge mean?
That check is done: the person is who they say they are, and they're accountable for what happens here. Providers go one step further. We verify the person behind the business, and they confirm the business is theirs to represent, before its profile goes live.
Verification doesn't guarantee anyone's behavior. What it does is let both sides talk honestly before anyone commits.
Hosts get to know
- Who is staying in their property
- That the person passed identity checks
- That there is real accountability behind the booking
Hosts get to know
- Who is staying in their property
- That the person passed identity checks
- That there is real accountability behind the booking
What you can do at each step
Browse freely. Save with an email. Verify when you're ready to talk to a Host or book. You're never asked for ID before you have a reason to give it.
- STEP 1
Just browsing
No account- Every destination guide
- Every listing, with the real price
- Photos, amenities, location, house rules
- Every local Provider
- STEP 2
Create an account
Email, Google or Apple- Everything above
- Save places and compare them
- Exact availability
- Price and availability alerts
- Message Hosts (needs verification)
- Book (needs verification)
- STEP 3
Get verified
Government ID + live selfie — once- Everything above
- Message Hosts directly
- Book any stay
- Your Verified badge shown to Hosts
What we ask for
A government-issued ID and a live selfie, checked once through our verification provider.
What the other side never sees
Your ID document, your date of birth, or anything beyond the fact that you passed.
Providers go one step further
The person behind the business verifies, then confirms the business is theirs to represent. An EIN is optional.PROPOSED
Questions people actually ask
Answered here, in full, in the page source.
Why do I have to verify my identity to message a host?
DirectStay asks everyone to verify so that both sides are real, accountable people. Hosts are opening their homes and Travelers are paying someone they haven't met. Verifying once, with a government-issued ID and a quick live selfie, means each side knows who is on the other end before anyone commits. It also keeps fake listings, scams and spam out of your inbox. You verify one time, and it covers every destination.
Is it safe to book direct?
You pay the host's nightly rate. DirectStay takes no commission from the booking and adds no guest service fee, so the price you see is the price you pay.
Why does DirectStay verify Providers?
So the business you find is the one you get. We verify the person behind the business, and they confirm the business is theirs to represent, before its profile goes live.
Questions first?
Read the Provider FAQ