Yes, you can open a business bank account online, but not completely without visiting a bank or providing documents in person

Most banks let you start a business account process online and finish it in minutes. You fill in your business information, upload documents, and fund the account from your computer. But nearly all banks require you to verify your identity in person or through a video call before the account becomes active — they cannot legally complete the process without confirming who you are.

Some banks, particularly online-only banks and credit unions, use video verification instead of requiring you to walk into a branch. This means you can open the account without leaving home, but you will still need to be present on a video call with a bank employee. A few banks skip even that step if you already have a personal account with them, since they have already verified your identity.

The speed depends on the bank and how quickly you provide what they ask for. Most accounts are ready to use within one to three business days after verification is complete.

Key Takeaways

  • You can complete the process and upload documents online, but you will need to verify your identity through a video call or in-person visit before the account opens.
  • Online-only banks and some credit unions offer video verification, which means you never have to visit a physical location.
  • Traditional banks with branches usually require you to visit in person, though some now offer video verification as an alternative.
  • If you already have a personal account at the bank, they may skip the verification step since they have already confirmed your identity.
  • The entire process from process to active account typically takes one to three business days once you complete verification.

What documents you will need to have ready

Before you start an process, gather these items. Banks ask for them in different orders, but you will need all of them:

  • Your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card)
  • Your business formation documents — this is usually a Certificate of Formation, Articles of Incorporation, or Articles of Organization, depending on your business structure
  • Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, or confirmation that you are using your Social Security number as your tax ID
  • Your business address and mailing address
  • The names and Social Security numbers of all owners with 20% or more ownership stake

If you have not yet formed your business officially (filed paperwork with your state), you cannot open a business account. Banks need proof that your business legally exists. If you are a sole proprietor using your own name as your business name, you still need to show that you registered the name with your state, or you can use your Social Security number as your tax ID and open the account in your personal name.

Have these documents in digital form — either scanned, photographed clearly, or as PDFs. Banks will ask you to upload them during the process.

Banks that let you verify your identity by video

If you want to avoid visiting a branch, look for banks that offer video verification. These include online-only banks like Brex, Mercury, and Novo, which serve small businesses and startups. Some traditional banks also offer video verification, though availability varies by state and by the bank.

Credit unions sometimes offer video verification too, but you will need to be a member first. Some credit unions let you join online, while others require an in-person visit to open membership before you can open a business account.

Before you start an process, call the bank or check their website to confirm they offer video verification in your state. Some banks limit this option to certain states or certain types of businesses.

Banks that require you to visit a branch

Most traditional banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and regional banks — still require you to visit a branch in person to open a business account. You can start the process online, but a banker will ask you to come in to verify your identity and sign documents.

If you do not have a branch near you, or if visiting is not practical, ask whether the bank will accept a video call instead. Some branches now offer this as an alternative, but it is not standard everywhere. The person on the call will be a bank employee, and they will ask you to show your ID to the camera and answer questions to confirm your identity.

If the bank will not do video verification and you cannot visit, you may be able to have someone else visit the branch on your behalf, but the bank will need written authorization and may have additional requirements. Call ahead to ask what they need.

How the online process process works

The steps are similar across most banks. You start on their website and click a link for business accounts. You will enter your business name, structure (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership), and the type of business you run. Then you upload your formation documents and ID.

Next, you provide the names and Social Security numbers of all owners with significant ownership. The bank runs a background check on each owner. This is standard and does not mean anything is wrong — banks are required to do this by federal law.

After you submit the process, the bank reviews it. If they need more information, they will email you. Once they approve the process, they will ask you to verify your identity. This is where the process splits: some banks send you a link to a video call, others ask you to visit a branch, and a few may mail you a PIN to confirm your address.

After verification is complete, the bank activates your account. You can usually log in and set up online banking right away. Debit cards and checks take longer — usually five to ten business days to arrive by mail.

What happens if you cannot verify your identity in person or by video

If you are out of the country, have mobility issues, or live far from any branch, tell the bank about your situation. Some banks have workarounds. A few will accept a notarized copy of your ID mailed to them. Others will complete verification by phone if you can answer security questions and provide information they have on file.

If one bank will not work with you, try another. Online-only banks are usually more flexible because they do not have branches and have built their entire process around remote verification. Credit unions sometimes have more flexibility too, especially if you explain your situation to a loan officer or manager rather than starting with the standard process.

If you have a personal account at a bank already, call that bank's business banking department and ask whether they will waive the verification step. Many will, since they have already confirmed your identity when you opened your personal account.

Funding your account after it opens

Once your account is active, you can fund it by transferring money from another bank account you own. Most banks let you link an external account online and transfer money within one to three business days. Some banks offer faster transfers — same-day or next-day — if you pay a small fee.

You can also deposit checks by taking photos of them through the bank's mobile app, or by mailing checks to the address the bank provides. Some banks let you set up direct deposit right away so your customers or clients can pay you directly into the account.

A few banks require you to make an initial deposit before the account opens, usually $100 to $500. The bank will tell you this during the process and show you how to deposit it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a business account if my business is not officially registered yet?

No. Banks need proof that your business legally exists. You must have filed formation documents with your state (Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, or a DBA registration, depending on your business structure). If you have not done this yet, register your business first, then open the account.

Do I need an EIN before I open a business account?

Not always. If you are a sole proprietor, you can use your Social Security number instead of an EIN. If you are an LLC, corporation, or partnership, you need an EIN. You can request one from the IRS online for free — it takes about 15 minutes and you get the number when ready.

What if I am not a US citizen?

You can open a business account if you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) and a valid visa or work authorization. Some banks are stricter about this than others. Online-only banks and some credit unions are often more flexible. Call ahead to ask what they need before you start the process.

How long does the whole process take?

If you have all your documents ready and can verify your identity when ready, the account can be active within one business day. If the bank needs to ask follow-up questions or if you delay on verification, it can take a week or more. Plan for three to five business days to be safe.

Can someone else open the account for me?

Not through the online process. You must be the one to verify your identity. However, once the account is open, you can give another person access to it by adding them as an authorized user or signer.