Hi everyone,
I'm a blind developer and I use VoiceOver exclusively. I build my own apps and I'm trying to enroll in the Apple Developer Program as an individual so I can publish on the App Store.
I've hit a wall at the identity verification step. On both my Mac and in the Apple Developer app on iPhone, the only document I'm offered for verification is a driver's license. As a blind person I don't have a driver's license and can't obtain one. I do have a valid passport and national ID, but neither is offered (I'm in Austria, so the options may be region-specific).
I know Apple's documentation says you can contact them to request an alternative method of identity verification. Before I do, I'd love to learn from people who've actually been through it:
• Have you enrolled despite the driver's license requirement? How did you get past the identity check?
• Did Apple offer an alternative (passport or national ID) when you contacted them? How long did it take?
• Any VoiceOver tips for capturing an accepted photo of an ID, on Mac or iPhone?
• Did Apple's Accessibility team help, and is there a faster contact route for accessibility-related enrollment issues?
Any first-hand experiences or wording that worked when contacting Apple would be hugely appreciated. I'd like to document a clear path so other blind developers don't get stuck here.
Thanks so much.
By Florian Schwab, 7 June, 2026
Forum
App Development and Programming
Comments
region spesific
in Canada, this was never a requirement. . when I enrolled, mainly to test developer betas, when they were paid, i never had screens regarding identity verification. for things like that, like banking issues, getting Facebook after a hacked account, my official government ID, which looks like a drivers license, was sufficient.
Region specific
Same, except when I signed up in 2014 so I could test the infamous iOS 8 they did not ask me for any ID for enrolment. United Kingdom.
Apple Developer Website
Hello, using the Apple Developer website instead of the Apple Developer app for enrollment might help you bypass the verification process. However, this can vary from region to region. You will have the option to renew through the Apple Developer app before your next year's renewal date. I renew this way because it's easier through my Apple Account, but I initially enrolled through the website.
For me I had to verify with a government issued ID.
When I enrolled, I had a sighted person help me scan the documents that were required.
I was given the option to scan a photo ID or a passport.
My best bet is to get someone to help you, and if it fails for some reason, contact Apple developer support (different than standard Apple support) and if you can or are asked to, send them the images, and then they should send you a welcome email.
I used the website
I'm in the UK, for what it's worth. I enrolled via the website, and I don't remember this being an issue. If aanything I would have just uploaded a pre-existing photo of my passport. The tax forms have been the most difficult part for me, not ot mention Apple's insane lack of developer support. I recently reported an XCode bug, spent 4 weeks back and forth with a support agent then a senior support agent, only to be told I should manually submit a report through feedback assistant. When I requested some support for the various tax forms, I was simply sent a link (after waiting 5 days) to Apple's support site, despite the fact that my support request referenced that exact article and was asking questions not answered in the article.
My advice would be to try via the website. And if you have any problems, be it in setting up the account, uploading your apps or developping for Apple's platforms, you're better off finding your own solutions or asking in the apple developer forums because Apple probably won't help you. And don't get me started on the app review process.