GOOGLE Voice has tightened access, with all new registrants now required to undergo a comprehensive identity verification process before any bidirectional messaging or calling can occur, and the number remains inert until verification is successful. The verification requires government-issued credentials, such as national identification cards, passports, or driver’s licences, and Google employs an automated auditing system with a possible manual review by Google personnel.
According to Google’s recently revised support documentation, there is also a restrictive limit on verification attempts; after a designated number of failed trials, the associated number may be permanently barred from further verification. The move aims to combat abuse by preventing malicious actors from using Google Voice to spread spam or other nefarious activities, aligning with rising regulatory demands.
Google Voice provides users with complimentary United States mobile numbers for VOIP teleconferencing and messaging, which are highly sought after on the gray market. Outcomes of the verification process include Instantaneous Approval, Manual Review, Resubmission, or Final Rejection, after which the number becomes permanently non-functional if verification repeatedly fails. 9 February 2026.