Get the top GitHub accounts in the United States for 2025

Get the top GitHub accounts in the United States for 2025
Introduction - quick note
Want to look more trustworthy on GitHub? Maybe you want your organization to show a Verified badge, or you want your commits to show Verified so other people know they really came from you. Or maybe you want to accept money with GitHub Sponsors and need payout verification. GitHub uses a few different verification systems for different goals. This guide walks you through the main types, explains why each matters, and gives step-by-step instructions so you can get verified in the USA (or anywhere GitHub supports the feature). I'll keep it simple and practical - ready? Let's dive in.
Why "Getting Verified" on GitHub Matters
Getting verified on GitHub is about trust. Verification:
Shows your organization controls its website or email domain (Verified badge). 
Proves your commits were signed by you (so attackers can't forge them). 
Helps you get paid and manage Sponsors payouts securely. 
In plain terms: verified accounts and verified commits reduce doubt, reduce fraud, and make life easier for collaborators, customers, and sponsors.
Different Kinds of "Verification" on GitHub
GitHub has several verification types. They are not the same thing - so pick the right path for your needs.
Verified Organization / Verified Domain Badge
This badge appears on organization profiles when GitHub confirms that the org owns the website or email domain it lists. Domain verification proves the org controls its web/email addresses. That little badge helps users trust the org profile.
Verified Commits (Signed Commits)
A commit marked Verified on GitHub means the commit was signed with a cryptographic key (GPG or an SSH signature) that GitHub recognizes. Signing commits is an easy way to show code really came from you or your team. 
Verified Sponsor / Payout Verification
If you accept money via GitHub Sponsors, you must meet verification steps - verify your email and connect a payout system (Stripe). For payments and payouts, GitHub checks identity and payout info to follow laws and tax rules.
Publisher Verification (Marketplace)
If you sell or publish apps on the GitHub Marketplace, GitHub has a publisher verification process. That helps buyers trust the vendor and can unlock publisher badges or features.
Who Needs Verification? (Developers, Orgs, Businesses)
Ask yourself:
Are you an organization with a public website and team members? Then domain/org verification improves professional trust.
Do you want your commits to be cryptographically authenticated? Then sign commits (developer-level verification).
Are you taking money (donations, sponsorships, paid apps)? Then payout/identity verification is required.
If you're building a portfolio or contributing to open source, commit verification is a quick win. If you run a company or product, domain and publisher verification are the steps to go after.
What You'll Need to Get Verified (Docs & Prep)
General prep helps everything go smoothly.
Personal identity & contact info
Keep your GitHub profile complete: real name, photo, email(s), and clear public bio. Some verification steps cross-check public profile info.
Domain ownership proof (for orgs)
You'll need DNS access for your domain or a way to control a domain email. Be ready to add DNS TXT records or confirm ownership via email. 
Payment & tax info (Sponsors)
Sponsors payouts use Stripe (or Stripe Express); have your payout email, bank/account info, and possibly identity documents ready (ID, SSN/EIN) depending on region and Stripe requirements. 
GPG or SSH key for signed commits
If you want verified commits, create a GPG key or use an SSH commit-signing setup. Keep your private key safe and add the public key to GitHub. 
Step-by-step: Get a "Verified" Badge for Your Organization (Domain Verification)
This is the go-to verification for organizations that want the verified badge on their profile.
Step 1 - Prepare domain & emails
Make sure you control the domain (example.com) and that you can add DNS records or receive admin emails at addresses on that domain. For example, [e-mail] or [e-mail]. Clean up old DNS records and confirm who has access.
Step 2 - GitHub Organization settings
Log in to GitHub and go to your organization.
Settings → Security → Verified and approved domains (or similar).
Add the domain you want to verify; follow the instructions to either add a DNS TXT record or confirm via email. 
Step 3 - Verify & show the badge
After GitHub confirms the DNS or email verification, the org profile will show a Verified badge. It can take a short time to appear. If it doesn't show, check notifications or contact GitHub support.
Quick tip: Verify both example.com and www.example.com if your site uses both. Some systems require each subdomain to be verified separately. Ken Muse
Step-by-step: Get Verified Commits (GPG/SSH signing)
Want your commits to show Verified next to them in history? Sign them.
Step 1 - Create a GPG key or enable SSH signing
On your machine (Mac, Linux, Windows), generate a GPG key with or create an SSH key that supports commit signing. Use a strong passphrase and note the key ID.
Step 2 - Add public key to GitHub
In GitHub: Settings → SSH and GPG keys → Add GPG key (paste your public key). GitHub will match that key to your commits and mark them as verified. 
Step 4 - Push and check
Push to GitHub. Your commit should show a green Verified badge in the commit list. If it shows Unverified, it often means the email on the commit does not match a verified email in your GitHub account - check your commit or add the matching email to GitHub.
Step-by-step: Get Verified for GitHub Sponsors & Payouts
If you want to accept money on GitHub, you'll need a few verification steps.
Step 1 - Verify your email and profile
Make sure your primary email on GitHub is verified. GitHub often requires a complete profile and verified email before offering sponsorship options. 
Step 2 - Apply to GitHub Sponsors (if required)
Navigate to your profile → Sponsorships or visit the Sponsors page. Fill the profile description used to solicit sponsors.
Step 3 - Connect payout method
Link Stripe or Stripe Express to your account for payouts. Stripe will ask for identity and banking information per legal and tax rules. GitHub will guide you to connect Stripe from Sponsors settings. 
Step 4 - Provide requested identity docs
If Stripe or GitHub requests identity docs, provide what they ask for (ID, business info, tax IDs). Payouts usually don't start until verification is complete.
Note: Sponsor verification/payout timing depends on Stripe and region. Expect some delays while documents are checked.
Step-by-step: Publisher Verification (Marketplace Apps)
If you publish paid apps or listings on the GitHub Marketplace, publisher verification helps buyers know the app is real.
Go to GitHub Marketplace or your organization's settings for publisher verification.
Submit domain verification and any requested business/org documents. 
After approval, you may receive a publisher verification status or badge that shows on your Marketplace listing.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
Domain not verifying / DNS issues
If DNS checks fail:
Double-check the TXT record name and value.
Wait for DNS propagation (can take up to 48 hours, often faster).
Use to confirm the record exists.
If email verification is offered, try that route instead. 
Signed commits still show "unverified"
Common causes:
Commit email doesn't match any verified email in GitHub - add that email to your GitHub account.
Wrong public key uploaded - ensure the public key exactly matches the key used to sign.
Local Git uses a different key - confirm 
Sponsor payout verification delays
Payout delays are often due to Stripe manual review or missing docs:
Check your email and GitHub notifications for requests.
Log into Stripe (if connected) to view their verification status.
Respond quickly with requested documents to reduce delays.
Security & Best Practices After Verification
Verification gives trust - and makes your account more attractive to attackers. Defend it.
Keep keys safe / rotate keys
Store private GPG/SSH keys in secure hardware (YubiKey) if possible.
Rotate keys if they're ever exposed.
Revoke old public keys in GitHub promptly.
Use 2FA and strong account hygiene
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your GitHub account.
Use a unique, strong password and password manager.
Review authorized OAuth apps and tokens regularly.
Limit access and use least privilege for orgs
Use teams and role-based access control in organizations.
Grant only the permissions people need for their work.
Alternatives When You Can't Get Verified Yet
If verification is blocked:
For commit signing, use repository-level signed releases or CI-signed tags to show authenticity until your personal signing key is ready.
For organization trust, publish a clear README and link to your official website and social media so users can cross-check your identity.
For payouts, use alternative funding channels temporarily (Patreon, Open Collective) while you finish Stripe/GitHub verification.
Quick Checklists: One-page Actions
For Org Domain Verification
Control DNS for your domain
Add TXT record per GitHub's instructions
Confirm badge appears on profile
For Verified Commits
Generate GPG or SSH key
Add public key to GitHub
Set Git to sign commits (globally or per-repo)
Confirm commits show Verified
For Sponsors Payout
Verify primary GitHub email
Connect Stripe/Stripe Express
Submit identity/tax docs if requested
Conclusion
"Getting verified" on GitHub isn't one single thing - it's a handful of useful steps you can take to prove you're real and to protect your work. Organizations verify domains to get a Verified badge; developers sign commits to show origin; maintainers connect payout services and complete verification for Sponsors; and publishers verify to sell or list products on Marketplace. Each path has clear steps: prepare the right docs, follow GitHub's instructions (DNS records for domains, public keys for signing, Stripe for payouts), and keep your account secure with 2FA and safe key storage. Follow the steps in this guide, and you'll boost trust and reduce friction for collaborators, customers, and sponsors.
Key official resources I used while writing: GitHub docs on domain verification, commit signature verification, GitHub Sponsors rules, and marketplace publisher verification. 
Frequently Asked Questions (5 unique)
Q1 - What's the difference between a "Verified" org badge and a signed commit "Verified" label?
 A: The org badge proves your organization controls a domain or email. The commit Verified label proves a specific commit was cryptographically signed by a key GitHub associates with you. They're different verification types and serve different audiences. 
Q2 - My commits are "unverified" even after adding a GPG key - why?
 A: Check that the email on the commit matches a verified email in your GitHub account and that the public GPG key you added corresponds exactly to the key used to sign. Also ensure your local git config uses the right signing key.
Q3 - How long does domain verification take for an organization?
 A: Once you add the correct DNS record or respond to verification emails, GitHub usually verifies quickly, but DNS propagation can take up to 24–48 hours in some cases. If the badge doesn't appear, check notifications or contact support. 
Q4 - I want to accept donations - do I have to verify with Stripe?
 A: Yes. To receive payouts via GitHub Sponsors, you'll need to connect Stripe. Stripe requires identity and banking information as part of payout setup - this is standard for payouts and tax compliance. 
Q5 - Is verification reversible? Can I lose a verified badge?
 A: Yes - if domain ownership changes, DNS records are removed, or GitHub finds policy issues, verification can be removed. Keep your records up-to-date and follow GitHub's rules to retain verification.