KYC Verification
The identity check required before your first payout — government ID plus proof of address. A common source of payout delays.
Definition
KYC (Know Your Customer) verification is the identity-and-address check that prop firms run before releasing the first payout. The standard documents are a government-issued photo ID (passport or driver's license) and a proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or government document dated within the last 3 months). Some firms also require a selfie match, tax documentation (W-9 or W-8BEN for US residents), or source-of-funds documentation for large payouts. KYC is usually triggered at the first payout request, not at challenge purchase — which means a trader may not discover a problem with their documents until they are trying to get paid.
Example
Why It Matters
KYC delays are the single most common cause of extended payout times on the first withdrawal. Traders should complete KYC as soon as they pass the evaluation — not wait until the first payout request — and should have a current (within 90 days) proof of address ready before starting the challenge. Firms that process KYC at challenge purchase instead of at payout reduce this friction meaningfully. Every active firm in this dataset requires KYC before the first payout, so expect it as a standard step regardless of the firm chosen.