Facebook (FB) is set to begin verifying celebrity and public figure user accounts. In order to get account approval, the individuals will have to submit a copy of a government-issued photo ID, birth certificate, or credit card.

The social networking site will begin verifying the accounts of those that have a substantial number of followers. However, a person will not be able to volunteer to have his account verified. FB, instead, will choose the accounts in which it wants to explore.

Once FB approves an account, the user will then be able to enter a nickname, or stage name that can either be shown next to his given name on the FB account, or displayed on its own. FB will verify and approve the stage names of verified users.

Let's use Stefani Germanotta, AKA Lady Gaga, as an example. Under the new system, she would be able to set her account display name as Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga), or just Lady Gaga. It'll be up to her.

One of the true benefits of this system is that it will make it easier to avoid those fake FB celeb accounts that often show up.

What's more, verified accounts will have a greater place in the People to Subscribe To lists. This FB feature allows people to follow those high-profile people that interest them, without having to become an FB friend.

Article Tags:  accounts, account, people, verified, system, germanotta, stage, verifying, stefani, facebook, gaga, lady