You are able to get a limited number of app installs for your package for free.
https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/...
> You'll need > Your legal name and address. These need to be verified by uploading official identity documents.
I don't have a "legal name". Sounds like some sovcit bullshit. I go by several names, none of which is canonical. Maybe other countries formalize this idea, but the countries where I am a citizen/resident do not.
> A private email address and phone number for Google to contact you. These will need to be verified using a one-time password
I love that email OTP is good enough for this, but apparently not for anything else, where I'll need an approved verified secure attested super official app.
Which still requires ID verification.