diff --git a/app/components/sidebar.rb b/app/components/sidebar.rb
index a81ccf4..765066a 100644
--- a/app/components/sidebar.rb
+++ b/app/components/sidebar.rb
@@ -38,13 +38,18 @@ class Components::Sidebar < Components::Base
     # Add verification link if user needs to submit or resubmit
     if current_identity.present?
       status = current_identity.verification_status
-      if status == "needs_submission" || status == "pending"
-        items << {
-          label: t("sidebar.verification"),
-          path: new_verifications_path,
-          icon: status == "pending" ? "clock" : "card-id"
-        }
-      end
+
+      # Show a small badge when the user needs to take a verification action.
+      # We use a numeric badge so the rendering helper can decide whether to display it.
+      badge_count = 0
+      badge_count = 1 if status == "needs_submission" || status == "pending"
+
+      items << {
+        label: t("sidebar.verification"),
+        path: new_verifications_path,
+        icon: status == "pending" ? "clock" : "card-id",
+        badge: badge_count
+      }
     end
 
     items << { label: t("sidebar.addresses"), path: addresses_path, icon: "email" }