How to Get the WhatsApp Green Tick (Official Business Account)
The WhatsApp "green tick" is now a blue checkmark that Meta gives to Official Business Accounts. You request it in WhatsApp Manager once your business is verified, your number has two-step verification and an approved display name, and you have been on the platform for 30 days.
To get the WhatsApp "green tick", request Official Business Account (OBA) status for your business phone number in WhatsApp Manager. Before you can, your business portfolio must have passed Meta's business verification, the number must have two-step verification turned on and an approved display name, your business must have been on the WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days, and you must comply with WhatsApp's Business Messaging Policy. Meta reviews each request and notifies you of the decision. If it's denied, you can apply again after 30 days.
One thing has changed since most guides were written: Meta's documentation now describes the Official Business Account badge as a blue checkmark beside the business name, not the green tick people still search for. The status and what it means are the same.
What an Official Business Account is
Meta defines an Official Business Account as a business phone number owned by a business that has been verified as authentic. OBA numbers show a blue checkmark beside their name in the contacts view, which tells customers the account belongs to the business it claims to be.
OBA status belongs to a phone number on the WhatsApp Business Platform, meaning the API. It isn't available for numbers on the free WhatsApp Business app, for test numbers, or for individual employees of a business. If you are still on the app, you will need to move to the API first.
Not sure which one you're on? See WhatsApp Business API vs the Business App.
Eligibility requirements
Meta lists five conditions. You need all of them before you submit a request:
1. Business verification
The business portfolio that owns the WhatsApp Business Account must be verified through Meta's Business Verification. You complete it in Meta Business Settings, or through a provider that offers Meta's partner-led business verification. Verification is also one of the ways to raise your messaging limit, so it's worth doing early whether or not you want the badge.
2. At least 30 days on the platform
Your business must have been registered on the WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days. A brand-new number can't request OBA status straight away.
3. Two-step verification on the number
The phone number must have two-step verification enabled. You can turn it on from the number's settings in WhatsApp Manager as part of the request flow.
4. An approved display name
The display name is the business name shown to customers. Meta reviews it automatically once your number reaches a higher messaging limit, and an approved name shows as APPROVED. If it's declined, you can edit it or appeal. You can change a display name up to 10 times in 30 days, but once a number has OBA status, changing the name means contacting Meta's direct support. Settle on the right name before you apply.
5. Compliance with WhatsApp's Business Messaging Policy
The business must comply with the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy. In practice that means messaging only people who have opted in, honouring opt-out requests and using templates in their correct categories.
How to request the green tick in WhatsApp Manager
Businesses that manage numbers through the API can check progress with Meta's Official Business Account Status API, which returns an oba_status value such as NOT_STARTED for each number. If a provider manages your account, it can submit the request and track the status for you.
- Open WhatsApp Manager and go to Overview, then select the business phone number you want verified.
- If two-step verification isn't on yet, enable it for that number.
- Go to Phone numbers, then Profile, and find the Official business account section.
- Click Submit Request and complete the request.
- Wait for Meta's review. You'll be notified when a decision has been made.
If your request is denied
If Meta denies the request, you'll be notified and must wait 30 days before submitting a new one. A denial doesn't stop you from using the account normally, and you can still edit your business profile: profile picture, email, website and description.
Meta's documentation doesn't publish a checklist of why requests are denied, so use the 30 days to make sure every eligibility condition is clearly met. In particular, check that the business verification details match the business behind the number and display name, and that your messaging practices follow the Business Messaging Policy.
Readiness checklist before you apply
Most delays come from submitting before every condition is in place. Run through this list first, because a denial means waiting 30 days to try again:
- Business verification shows as complete for the business portfolio that owns the WhatsApp Business Account, not for a different portfolio in your organisation.
- The number is on the WhatsApp Business Platform (the API), not the WhatsApp Business app, and isn't a test number.
- At least 30 days have passed since your business registered on the platform.
- Two-step verification is turned on for the exact number you're submitting.
- The display name is approved and is the name you intend to keep. After OBA approval, changing it means contacting Meta's direct support.
- Your recent messaging follows the Business Messaging Policy: opted-in recipients, honoured opt-outs and correctly categorised templates.
- Not a stated requirement, but sensible: your business profile (description, website, email and profile picture) is complete and matches the verified business.
Do you need the green tick?
No. The badge isn't required to use the WhatsApp Business API. It doesn't change your message pricing or template rules. What matters more day to day is correctly categorised templates, opted-in recipients and fast replies inside the 24-hour customer service window.
What the badge does change is trust: a verified name next to your messages helps customers recognise you, which matters most for businesses that send payment, delivery or account messages. If that applies to you, start business verification now. It can also raise your messaging limit, and once the 30-day mark passes you can apply. See WhatsApp API pricing in India for what the messages themselves cost.
Get help with verification and the green tick
Messagify's WhatsApp Business API onboarding covers Meta business verification, number registration, display name approval and template approval. We can submit the Official Business Account request once you're eligible, though the decision is always Meta's. Talk to our team about getting your number verified.
Authoritative sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Meta's developer documentation now describes the Official Business Account badge as a blue checkmark beside the business name in the contacts view. "Green tick" is the older name for the same status.
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