Postcard verification is one of the ways Google can confirm that your business is at the address you gave. Google mails a code to that address, and you enter the code on your profile. This guide is for the moment when the card has not come, and it also covers how to verify without a postcard when Google offers you another way.
We checked everything below against Google’s own help page on 22 October 2026. Google can change how verification works, so the Get verified screen on your own profile always shows what applies to you today. We have kept this guide to what Google itself says, because Google gives no rule for how long a missing card might take beyond the figures quoted here.
Step by step
Check how long it has been
Count from the day you asked for the code. Google’s tip is that most codes arrive within 14 days. That is a tip about most codes, not a fixed date for every card, and Google does not give a later date by which a missing card must arrive.
Leave your business name, address and category alone
Google says that if you edit your business name, address or category on your profile after the code has been sent, the code it sent will not work. If you find a mistake in one of these while you wait, decide whether to correct it before you do anything else, because correcting it means the card in the mail can no longer be used.
Do not ask for a new code straight away
Google says that when you request a new code, it invalidates the code that is already in the mail and sends a new one, and that this can make the process longer. A new request therefore restarts the wait. Ask again only if you are sure the first card is not coming, for example because its 30 days are over.
Know when the code stops working
Google says verification codes expire after 30 days. A card that turns up after that will not help, so if you are past 30 days, stop waiting for it.
Look at what your profile offers now
Open your Business Profile and select Get verified. Google decides which methods you see and you cannot change them. If your profile shows more than one option, you can try another one instead of waiting for the card. The next section lists the methods Google describes.
Enter the code if the card arrives
Open your profile, type the 5-digit code in the Code field and select Submit. Keep the code private. Google says it never asks for your verification code, and that you should not share it with anyone, even people who manage your Business Profile.
Wait for Google’s review
After you finish the steps, Google reviews the information and says this takes up to 5 business days, and on rare occasions longer. When your business is verified, Google sends a confirmation email.
What our team at MapBoost does instead
We cannot receive the postcard for you, and only Google can decide which verification methods your profile is offered. What we can do is check that your business name, address and category are correct and consistent before you request any code, so that you are not tempted to edit them while a card is in the mail. After you are verified, we keep the rest of the profile in order.
If you are stuck on verification, tell us on a call and we will say plainly what we can help with.
India: ₹2,499* per location per monthEurope: €49 per location per month (or €39 billed yearly) + VAT where applicableRest of the world: $49 per location per month (or $39 billed yearly)
*Plus GST (India)
How to verify without a postcard
Google says verification methods are decided automatically and cannot be changed. Which ones you see depends on your business type, public information, region or business hours, and in some cases you may need more than one method. Here are the methods Google describes.
| Method | What Google says |
|---|---|
| Phone or text | Google calls or texts a code to your business phone number. You need to be able to answer the call or receive the text, and a phone menu system (IVR) will not receive the code. |
| Google sends an email to the address shown on the verification screen. Make sure you can use that address, then follow the steps in the email. | |
| Video recording | If your business is eligible, Google recommends this option. You record a video from your profile and Google reviews it. |
| Live video call | You show your business to a support representative on a video call. It may not be available to every business and works only within the business hours of your location. |
| Postcard | Google mails a code to your listed address. It is not available to all businesses. |
Two faster routes Google mentions
In some cases Google verifies a profile instantly. It gives two examples: when you verify your website with Google Search Console, and when you use bulk verification for many profiles. Whether either is open to you depends on your business, so check before you plan around them.
The postcard rules at a glance
| Topic | What Google says |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Most codes arrive within 14 days. This is a tip, not a fixed date. |
| Expiry | Verification codes expire after 30 days. |
| Editing the profile | If you edit the business name, address or category, the code Google sent will not work. |
| Asking again | A new request invalidates the code in the mail and sends a new one, which can make the process longer. |
| Keeping the code safe | Google never asks for your code. Do not share it with anyone, including people who manage your profile. |
| After you enter it | Google reviews your information, which takes up to 5 business days, and on rare occasions longer. |
If no method works
Google says that a postcard, and live video verification, may not be available for all businesses, and that you should try the options available to you. If you are still unable to verify, it says to contact support. You can also ask a question in the Google Business Profile help community.
If the Get verified button shows on your profile again, Google says it means it could not completely verify the business. It suggests that you try to re-verify, and if several options are shown, that you try another method. If Google asks for more information, it is likely because some business details were recently updated.
Common mistakes
- Asking for a new code every few days. Each new request cancels the code already in the mail and can make the wait longer.
- Editing the business name, address or category while the card is on its way. The code Google sent will not work after that.
- Waiting past 30 days for a card. Codes expire after 30 days.
- Sharing the code with an agency, a helper or anyone else. Google says not to share it, even with people who manage the profile.
- Treating the postcard as the only route. Look at Get verified for other methods Google may offer for your business.
Questions people ask
How long does a Google Business Profile postcard take to arrive?
Google’s tip is that most codes arrive within 14 days. That is a tip about most codes, not a fixed date, and Google does not say when a missing card will come. Count from the day you requested the code.
My verification postcard has not arrived. Should I request another one?
Be careful. Google says a new request invalidates the code in the mail and sends a new one, which can make the process longer. If the first code has passed its 30 days, or you are sure it is lost, look at Get verified on your profile to see what Google offers you.
Can I verify my business without a postcard?
Sometimes. Google can offer a phone or text code, an email, a video recording or a live video call, depending on your business type, public information, region and business hours. You cannot choose the method, so open Get verified to see which ones you have.
Why does Google only show me the postcard option?
Google decides the verification methods for each profile and they cannot be changed. The options depend on your business type, public information, region or business hours. Google also says a postcard is not available for all businesses.
Does the postcard verification code expire?
Yes. Google says verification codes expire after 30 days. If the card arrives after that, the code will not help, and you should look at Get verified for what to do next.
Can I change my business address while I wait for the postcard?
It is best not to. Google says that if you edit your business name, address or category, the code it sent will not work. Correct a mistake only if you accept that the card in the mail can no longer be used.
Who can I give my verification code to?
No one. Google says it never asks for your code and that you should not share it with anyone, even people who manage your Business Profile. Enter it yourself in the Code field on your profile.
How long does Google take to verify me after I enter the code?
Google says its review takes up to 5 business days, and on rare occasions longer. When your business is verified, you get a confirmation email.
What if no verification method works for my business?
Google says to try the options available to you and, if you are still unable to verify, to contact support. You can also post a question in the Google Business Profile help community.
Terms used in this guide, in the glossary: Verification, Postcard verification, Video verification.