Overview
What the green tick is
The green tick is Meta’s official verification of a business, a little verified checkmark next to the business name in WhatsApp, which serves to signal to clients that Meta has verified that this business is who they claim to be.
This is completely separate from having access to WhatsApp Business API, as a business can have WhatsApp Business API active and fully functioning, but not have the green tick if they have not applied for it.
What you need to apply
To apply, a business needs to have a WhatsApp Business Profile, with a legal name that matches across their official documents and website, a business website open and active using the same details, and a WhatsApp Business API account, all of which they will need to prepare in advance.
This is one of the most common reasons for application delays or rejections.
The application process
The application for verification is carried out in two stages through Meta Business Manager: first, you send the documents for business verification, and then, separately, you apply for the green tick by name once the business account has been officially verified.
The document verification process checks that the details on file with WhatsApp match the official business documents (this includes the business display name).
Only after you have passed the initial business verification and then the separate display name verification, you can apply for the green tick.
Why applications are declined
Besides the common reason of mismatched business details in documents and on the website, applications are often rejected due to incomplete or incorrectly formatted verification in Business Manager and poor presentation of the business profile, such as an unofficial-looking display picture, a low-quality or unofficial-looking profile, or mismatched details in the WhatsApp Business Profile in general. These are all red flags for WhatsApp that the business is not legitimate, despite what the business thinks.
How long it takes
In practice, this process cannot be completed in a matter of days or even weeks, as outlined in some guides, due to the number of required steps.
From submitting documents for general business verification, to applying for the display name to be verified, and finally, submitting the application for the green tick, which can take additional time if more documents are requested, it will take significantly longer.
Responding promptly and correctly to any requests for additional documents will speed up the process much more than resubmitting a general application.
Where to go from here
Most of these issues can be avoided if the basics are done correctly, which is why we handle them all end-to-end for you rather than requiring you to trial and error your way to a green tick. Make sure to have your business name and display name consistent across all platforms, prepare all of the required documents for verification in Business Manager, and present a professional front when setting up your WhatsApp Business Profile in general.