If you’re planning to apply for the WhatsApp Business API, you’ll first need an approved Facebook Business Manager account.
This step is essential because without verification, access to the WhatsApp Business API is limited. In that case, you’ll only be able to send messages to up to 250 users at a time.
Once your Facebook Business Manager account is approved, you can unlock higher broadcast limits and send messages to an unlimited number of users by upgrading your broadcast tier.
To enable all of this, the first requirement is setting up a Facebook Business Manager account.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step.
Let’s begin.

7. Access Business Settings

Your Facebook Business Manager account has now been created successfully 🎉
You can proceed to Business Settings to begin the verification process for your Business Manager.

6. Verify your email address

After submitting the form, you’ll receive a confirmation email at the address you provided.
Click Confirm Now in the email to verify your account.

5. Enter your business details and submit

Fill in your business name, your name, and a business email address where Meta can send future communications.
After completing the details, click Submit.

4. Create your Business Manager account

Once logged in, click on Create an account to begin setting up your Facebook Business Manager.

3. Sign in to your Facebook account

Enter your Facebook login details. Make sure you’re signing in with the account you want to use to create and manage your Business Manager.

2. Select “Log in with Facebook.”

You’ll be prompted to log in using your Facebook profile. Click Log in with Facebook to continue.

How to Get Your Facebook Business Manager Account Verified

Once your Business Manager account is set up, the next step is to verify it.

Facebook Business Manager verification is required if you want full access to your WhatsApp Business API account.

While it’s now possible to get started with WhatsApp Business API without an approved Facebook Business Manager, the access you receive is extremely limited.

Without verification, you’ll face restrictions on messaging and features, which can limit how effectively you use the WhatsApp API for your business.

For this reason, it’s strongly recommended that you complete Facebook Business Verification to unlock the full potential of WhatsApp Business API.

Create Your FREE Account

Fill in the details to get started with your plan.

Full Name
Email Address
WhatsApp Number (with country code)
Password (minimum 8 characters, including letters and numbers)

Before moving ahead, here’s something important to know 👇

Facebook Business Verification and Facebook Page Verification are not the same thing.

They serve different purposes and apply to different assets within Facebook.

Below is a comparison to help you understand the difference:

Facebook Business Verification Status

Facebook Page Verification Status

In this guide, we’ll focus specifically on Facebook Business Manager verification.

What Is Facebook Business Verification?

Facebook Business Verification is a process that allows Meta to confirm that your Business Manager account represents a legitimate business or organisation.

Once verified, your business gains higher credibility and access to advanced features such as expanded WhatsApp Business API capabilities.

Documents Required for Facebook Business Verification

To apply for verification, make sure you have the following ready:

Your business’s legal details (official name, address, and contact information)
A valid legal document showing the registered business name and address
(GST certificate or bank statement is preferred)
A live, functional website

- The footer must display the exact legal business name as shown in your documents

Proof of business ownership or access

- An official business email ID using the same domain as your website

Important note:
Uploaded documents must be clear, in colour, and show the complete document without cropping.

Step 10: Enter the Verification Code

Finally, enter the verification code sent to your selected contact method (email, SMS, or phone).

Once submitted, Facebook will review your application and notify you of the verification status.

Step 9: Choose a Verification Contact Method

Email is the recommended option and generally leads to faster approval.

Enter an official business email using your domain

(example: name@yourcompany.com)

If you don’t have a domain-based email, you can choose a phone call or a text message instead.

Step 8: Upload Supporting Documents

If your organisation wasn’t listed, upload the required legal documents to verify your business.

Ensure the same document is uploaded wherever requested to avoid confusion during review.

Step 7: Select Your Organisation

Facebook will show a list of businesses that match the details you entered.

Choose the option that exactly matches your business information.
Make sure you have access to the listed business phone number.

If your business doesn’t appear, select “Organisation not listed” and continue.

Step 6: Enter Organisation Details

Carefully fill in your business information:

Business Name:

Enter the exact legal name as shown on your official documents.

Address:

Use the same address listed in your legal documents. Any mismatch may delay or reject verification.

Phone Number:

This does not need to be your WhatsApp Business API number. You can provide any valid business contact number.

Website URL:

The website must display your legal business name in the footer so Facebook can match it with your documents.

Step 5.1: Choose Your Country

Select the country where your business is legally registered or primarily operates.

Step 5: Click “Get Started”

Once the Start Verification button becomes available, click it and then select Get Started on the next screen.

Step 4: Click “Start Verification”

Select the Start Verification button.

If the button is greyed out or missing, you’ll need to complete certain prerequisites first.

Step 3: Navigate to the Security Centre

From the left-hand menu, click on Security Centre.

Step 2: Select Your Business Manager Account

If you manage multiple Business Manager accounts, select the one you want to use for WhatsApp Business API.

If you only have one account, you’ll be taken directly to Business Settings.

If you don’t have a Business Manager account yet, you can create one before proceeding.

Step 1: Open Facebook Business Manager

How to Verify Your Facebook Business Manager Account

What If the Facebook “Start Verification” Button Is Greyed Out or Missing?

If the Start Verification button in your Facebook Business Manager is disabled or not visible, don’t panic; this is a very common issue.

In most cases, this happens because your Business Information setup is incomplete.

You may notice one of the following:

Your business appears greyed out when you try to start verification
The Start Verification button doesn’t appear at all

The good news? This can be fixed by completing a few required setup steps inside Facebook Business Manager.

Below is a step-by-step guide to help you enable the Start Verification button 👇

Step 8: Refresh Security Center

Go back to business.facebook.com/settings → Security Center

Refresh the page.

In many cases, the Start Verification button will now appear.

If it’s still not visible, continue with the steps below.

Step 7: Add App Display Name

Enter a Business Display Name for your app.

Note:
This is not your official business name; it’s simply the name linked to your App ID.

Add your email address

Click Create App

Enter your Facebook password when prompted

Your app will now be created successfully.

Step 6: Choose an App Type

Select the app category that best suits your business.

Choose Business (recommended)

Click Next

Step 5: Create an App

Once your account is confirmed, you’ll be redirected back.

Click Create App to proceed.

Step 4: Confirm Your Facebook Account

Click Continue to begin confirmation.

On the next screen:

Check the I agree box

Confirm your email address

Enter a business email where Facebook can contact you

Select the option that best describes your role (e.g. Owner & Founder)

Click Complete Registration

Step 3: Go to Apps and Add an App

Next, go to Apps and click Add.

If the option Create a new App ID is locked:

Hover over it

Click Confirm Account to unlock the option

This will open a new tab where you’ll need to complete account confirmation.

Step 2: Add a Facebook Page to Your Business Manager

Navigate to Pages and connect your business’s Facebook Page.

If you already have a Page connected, you can skip this step.

Make sure you are an admin of the Page you’re adding.

Without admin access, you won’t be able to proceed with verification.

Step 1: Open Facebook Business Security Center

Go to your Facebook Business Manager → Security Center.
At this stage, you may notice that the Start Verification button is missing or inactive. That’s expected if your setup isn’t complete yet.

How to Enable the “Start Verification” Button

Step 16: Open App Review Requests

Go back to App Review → Requests.

Click Edit on the existing request.

Step 17: Provide Verification Details

Scroll down and click Provide Verification Details.
Add a one-line description of your business (unique and relevant to your company).
Save this text, you’ll need it again shortly.

Step 18: Submit Business Information

Click the field below Provide Verification Details.

Paste the same one-line business description

Upload a short demo video (around 10 seconds)

- The video doesn’t need to be complex or product-related
- Keep it short for faster upload

Check the If Approved option

Click Save

Step 19: Submit for Review

Click Submit for Review.

Enter your Facebook password when prompted and confirm submission.

Step 15: Add a Platform

Scroll down and click Add Platform.

Choose Website
Click Next

Enter your website URL
Click Save Changes

Step 14: Upload an App Icon

Upload any app icon that meets Facebook’s size requirements (512×512 to 1024×1024).

You can always change this later.

Step 13: Go to Basic Settings

Navigate to Settings → Basic.

Step 12: Complete Required App Details

Fill in the requested fields:

You can skip uploading a website icon at this stage

Add your website URL under Privacy Policy URL

Choose Business and Pages as the app category

Click Save and submit

Step 11: Review App Settings

Scroll down and click Review App Settings.

Step 10: Request Advanced Access

Search for Live Video API and click Request Advanced Access.

Then click Continue the request.

Step 9: Go to App Review

Inside your app dashboard:

Click App Review

Select Permissions and Features

Additional Steps (If the Button Still Doesn’t Appear)

Return to the Facebook Business Security Center.

Where the Start Verification button was previously missing, you should now see it active and clickable.

Click it to begin your Facebook Business Manager Verification process.

That’s it, you’re done.

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