# ID.me identity verification requirement for non-US researcher accessing GTEx controlled data

**URL:** <https://help.anvilproject.org/t/id-me-identity-verification-requirement-for-non-us-researcher-accessing-gtex-controlled-data/421>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [September 16, 2026, 7:20am UTC](https://help.anvilproject.org/t/id-me-identity-verification-requirement-for-non-us-researcher-accessing-gtex-controlled-data/421 "2026-09-16T07:20:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stephanie.binder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stephanie.binder](https://help.anvilproject.org/u/stephanie.binder)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 7:20am UTC](https://help.anvilproject.org/t/id-me-identity-verification-requirement-for-non-us-researcher-accessing-gtex-controlled-data/421/1 "2026-09-16T07:20:40Z")

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Hello,

I am a researcher based in Germany with an existing eRA Commons account and approved dbGaP access to GTEx (phs000424). I have successfully created a Terra account using my institutional email address.

Following the current instructions for linking Terra to NIH RAS, I was directed to because I am a non-US researcher, but during the setup, I am being asked to provide personal passport information/documents and complete identity verification that appears to include a recorded video call.

Before providing these personal documents, I would like to confirm whether this full [ID.me](http://ID.me) identity-verification procedure is mandatory for international researchers with an existing eRA Commons account and approved dbGaP access.

Is there an alternative institutional authentication route for non-US researchers, or is passport/document and video identity verification required to link eRA Commons to RAS and access controlled GTEx data through AnVIL/Terra?

Thank you!

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**Author:** ![avahoffman](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/help.anvilproject.org/avahoffman/32/38_2.png) [@avahoffman](https://help.anvilproject.org/u/avahoffman)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://help.anvilproject.org/t/id-me-identity-verification-requirement-for-non-us-researcher-accessing-gtex-controlled-data/421/2 "2026-09-16T14:09:37Z")

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Hi @stephanie.binder ,

Thanks for your question!

Identity verification is required. As far as we’re aware, [id.me](http://id.me) is the tool available for international users (please see the [RAS Integration for AnVIL Data](https://support.terra.bio/hc/en-us/articles/32634034451099-RAS-Integration-for-AnVIL-Data-Released-3-25-26) article for more information).

According to [id.me](http://id.me)’s documentation, you have the option to [verify identity with a video call](https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/articles/11552423322775-Verifying-with-a-short-video-call), but you also might be eligible to verify identity through a [Self-Service](https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/articles/9198013708439-Verify-your-identity-with-ID-me-Self-Service#verify-with-selfservice).

Best,  
Ava