How Long Does Accredited Investor Verification Take?
✓ Bottom Line Up Front
With AccreditedNow, most investors receive their CPA verification letter typically within 24 hours of submitting their documents. Same-Day / Rush Delivery is available as a $29 add-on: issued within 6 business hours of your complete document upload, or the $29 add-on fee is refunded.
The Short Answer
How long accredited investor verification takes depends almost entirely on which method you use. A self-assessment quiz takes about 30 seconds. An online verification service like AccreditedNow typically takes about 24 hours. Going through your personal attorney or CPA can take 1–2 weeks or more.
The bottleneck is almost never the reviewer — it's how quickly you gather and upload your supporting documents. Investors who have their tax returns and account statements ready before they start get verified significantly faster than those who have to track documents down mid-process.
Timelines by Verification Method
| Method | Typical Turnaround | Legally Recognized? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free self-assessment quiz | Instant (30 sec) | ✗ No | Free |
| AccreditedNow — Standard | Typically 24 hours | ✓ Yes | $99 |
| AccreditedNow — Sponsor seat pack (10 seats) | Typically 24 hours | ✓ Yes | $790 ($79/seat) |
| AccreditedNow — Same-Day / Rush | Within 6 business hours | ✓ Yes | $99 + $29 |
| Your personal CPA | 3 days – 2 weeks | ✓ Yes | Often several hundred dollars |
| Your personal attorney | 1–3 weeks | ✓ Yes | Often several hundred dollars |
| Broker-dealer verification | 1–4 weeks | ✓ Yes | Varies |
Why Personal Attorneys and CPAs Take Longer
Your personal attorney or CPA isn't optimized for this specific task — accredited investor verification may be a once-a-year request for them, not a core service. They may need to research the current SEC rules, coordinate scheduling, and work this into their existing client queue. AccreditedNow's licensed professionals handle these verifications daily, which is why turnaround is faster and the cost is lower.
Need a CPA-signed verification letter?Licensed CPA review, typically within 24 hours.
Get Verified — $99AccreditedNow Step-by-Step Timeline
Here's exactly what happens after you pay for the $99 verification letter and what to expect at each stage:
Payment Confirmed & Portal Access Sent
You receive a confirmation email with a link to your secure document upload portal. No sensitive documents are sent via regular email.
Upload Your Supporting Documents
Log into the portal and upload the required documents for your qualification pathway — tax returns, account statements, or license confirmation. This step is entirely in your hands and is the biggest variable in total turnaround time.
Licensed Professional Assigned
An independent licensed CPA is assigned to your case. They review your documents against current SEC accredited investor criteria.
Document Review
Your assigned professional reviews all submitted materials. If anything is missing or needs clarification, they'll contact you directly through the secure portal — typically within 24 hours of spotting an issue.
Verification Letter Issued
Your signed CPA verification letter is delivered to your portal and emailed to you as a PDF. The letter is dated the day it is issued and valid for 90 days from that date.
Renewal Reminder Sent
AccreditedNow automatically sends you a renewal reminder 15 days before your letter expires so you're never caught off guard before a closing.
How to Speed Up the Process
The single most effective thing you can do is gather your documents before you start. Investors who upload complete documents on Day 1 consistently receive their letters far faster than those who upload documents piecemeal, because every incomplete upload restarts the review cycle.
Documents to Prepare in Advance
Depending on which qualification pathway applies to you:
- Income pathway: W-2s or 1099s from the past two years, and/or your most recent two federal tax returns (Form 1040)
- Net worth pathway: Recent bank and brokerage account statements (within 90 days), and a recent consumer credit report showing liabilities
- Professional license pathway: A copy of your active Series 7, 65, or 82 license or a FINRA BrokerCheck / SEC IAPD printout showing your active status
Tip: Digital Statements Work Fine
You do not need original paper documents. PDFs downloaded directly from your bank, brokerage, or the IRS website are fully acceptable. Make sure statement PDFs show your name, account number, and the date clearly.
Other Ways to Accelerate Verification
- Start in the morning on a business day — documents submitted early in the day get assigned to a reviewer the same day rather than rolling to the next morning
- Respond to follow-up requests promptly — if your reviewer requests additional documentation, a same-day response keeps you in the current review cycle
- Choose the rush option if timing is critical — the Same-Day / Rush Delivery add-on ($29) moves your file to the front of the queue and guarantees your letter within 6 business hours of your complete document upload — or the $29 is refunded
- Use a seat pack if you verify regularly — investment sponsors and fund managers who verify investors frequently can prepay seats (10 for $790) so each investor verifies without a separate checkout
Common Causes of Delay
Most delays are preventable. Here are the most common issues and how to avoid them:
| Cause of Delay | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Incomplete document upload | Use the document checklist in your portal before submitting |
| Documents are too old (statements older than 90 days) | Download fresh statements the same day you apply |
| Name on documents doesn't match the name on your application | Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your tax return |
| Income was above threshold only one of the past two years | Qualify under net worth instead, if you meet that test |
| Slow response to reviewer follow-up | Check your email and portal daily during the review period |
| Applying on Friday afternoon | Apply Monday–Thursday for fastest same-week turnaround |
Don't Wait Until the Last Minute
Many investment sponsors have a hard deadline for receiving your verification letter before the closing date. If your closing is in 5 days, apply today — not tomorrow. Even a 24-hour turnaround leaves no buffer if documents are incomplete or a follow-up is needed — the clock starts at your complete upload, not at checkout.
How Long Is the Letter Valid?
Once issued, your accredited investor verification letter is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. That is AccreditedNow's policy, set to sit inside the rule's window: Rule 506(c)(2)(ii)(C) covers a professional's written confirmation that they verified you within the prior three months.
Within that 90-day window, you can typically use the same letter with multiple investment sponsors — just confirm with each sponsor that they accept third-party verification letters and check whether they have any additional requirements.
After 90 days, you'll need a new verification letter for any new investments. AccreditedNow sends a renewal reminder 15 days before your letter expires so you have time to renew without rushing.
Planning Multiple Investments This Year?
If you're actively investing in multiple Reg D offerings, consider timing your verification so the 90-day window covers as many closings as possible — or plan to renew at the start of each quarter.
Get Verified in About 24 Hours
Licensed CPA review. Secure document portal. Rule 506(c) letter accepted by Reg D sponsors. If we can't complete your verification on our end, you don't pay.
Get My Letter — $99 →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get verified the same day?
Yes — Same-Day / Rush Delivery is an optional $29 add-on at checkout. Once your complete documents are submitted, your verification letter is issued within 6 business hours — or the $29 add-on fee is refunded. Standard orders are typically issued within 24 hours as well; the add-on is what makes that timing a commitment.
What if the investment sponsor needs my letter immediately?
Contact us at info@accreditednow.org as soon as possible. For truly urgent situations, we can often accommodate expedited review. Give us as much notice as you can.
Does the 90-day clock start when I apply or when the letter is issued?
The 90-day validity period starts on the date the letter is issued — not when you apply. So if your review takes 4 days, your letter is still valid for a full 90 days from the issuance date.
Can I use my letter with more than one investment sponsor?
Yes, in most cases. The SEC's safe harbor applies to each sponsor that receives verification — so you can share your letter with multiple sponsors within the 90-day validity window. Always confirm with each sponsor that they accept third-party verification letters.
What happens if I don't qualify?
If the licensed CPA determines your documentation does not currently support accredited investor status, the fee covers that completed review and is not refunded in cash — instead it is held as a credit toward a future verification for one year, redeemable once you qualify. No verification letter is issued unless and until you qualify.
Do I have to upload physical documents or can I use digital files?
Digital files are fine — PDFs downloaded directly from your bank, brokerage, or the IRS portal are fully acceptable. There's no need to mail, fax, or scan physical documents.