Yes, you can open a business bank account online, but the process depends on your business structure and the bank you choose
Most banks let you start a business account online without visiting a branch. You fill out forms on their website, upload documents, and wait for approval — usually one to five business days. The catch is that some banks require you to verify your identity in person or by video call, and a few still want you to sign papers in front of a notary. The easier the bank makes it online, the more likely they are a newer financial technology company rather than a traditional bank.
What you can do entirely online depends on what kind of business you have. If you are a sole proprietor (you own the business by yourself and use your own Social Security number), most banks will let you open an account completely online. If you have a partnership, LLC, or corporation, you will need to provide formation documents that prove your business legally exists — and some banks will not accept these unless you bring them in or have them notarized.
Key Takeaways
- Sole proprietorships can open business accounts entirely online at most banks, while LLCs and corporations usually need to provide formation documents that may require notarization.
- You will need your Social Security number or EIN (Employer Identification Number), a government ID, and proof of your business address to start the process.
- Video verification is becoming standard at larger banks, while some online-only banks skip it entirely if your documents check out.
- The whole process usually takes one to five business days from submission to account opening, though some banks take longer.
- Banks vary widely on whether they accept formation documents by upload, email, or only in person, so check before you start.
What documents you need before you start
Gather these before you begin any process. Having them ready cuts your time in half and prevents the bank from asking you to resubmit.
You will need a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The bank scans this to verify you are who you say you are. You will also need your Social Security number if you are a sole proprietor, or an EIN (Employer Identification Number) if your business is registered as an LLC, corporation, or partnership. An EIN is a nine-digit number the IRS gives to businesses; you can get one free from the IRS website in minutes.
Next, you need proof of your business address. This can be a lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement showing your name and the address where your business operates. If you work from home, a recent utility bill with your home address works. Some banks also accept a business license or registration document from your state.
If your business is not a sole proprietorship, you need your formation documents — the paperwork that created your LLC, corporation, or partnership. This is usually called Articles of Organization (for an LLC), Articles of Incorporation (for a corporation), or a Partnership Agreement. You can read these from your state's Secretary of State website or from the office where you filed them.
How the online process actually works
The steps are similar across most banks, though the order and details shift. Start by going to the bank's website and finding the business account section. You will see a button or link for opening a new account online.
Fill in basic information: your name, the business name, the type of business structure (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, etc.), and your business address. The bank will ask what your business does — this is for their records and for compliance with banking rules, not to judge whether your business is "good enough." Be honest but brief.
Upload your documents next. Most banks have a section where you can photograph or scan your ID, and upload your formation documents if you have them. Take clear photos in good light; blurry or crooked images get rejected and slow you down. Some banks let you upload everything at once; others ask for documents one at a time as you move through the form.
Then comes identity verification. Large traditional banks usually require a video call with someone who confirms your ID matches your face and asks a few questions about your business. This takes five to ten minutes. Smaller banks and online-only banks often skip this if your documents pass their automated checks. A few banks still mail you a form to sign in front of a notary, which adds a week or more to the timeline.
After you submit, the bank reviews everything. This usually takes one to five business days. Some banks send you an email when your account is ready; others call. Once approved, you can log in to your account online and start using it right away, though you may not be able to deposit checks or transfer money until you receive your debit card in the mail.
Which banks let you do this entirely online
Online-only banks and financial technology companies are fastest because they have no branches and expect everything to happen digitally. Banks like Mercury, Brex, and Novo let most sole proprietors open accounts in under an hour with no video call required. They accept formation documents by upload and approve within one business day.
Large traditional banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo let you start the process online, but they usually require a video call to verify your identity. Some also require you to bring documents to a branch or have them notarized. The process takes longer — often three to five business days — but these banks have physical locations if you need to deposit cash or speak to someone in person later.
Regional banks and credit unions fall somewhere in between. Many let you explore online and do video verification, but some still require an in-person visit or notarization. Call or check their website before you start, because this varies by location and by the type of business account you want.
What happens if your business structure complicates things
Sole proprietors have the easiest time. You use your own Social Security number, your formation documents are minimal, and most banks treat you like an individual with a business purpose. You can open an account in under a day at most online banks.
LLCs and corporations need formation documents, and this is where online gets slower. Some banks accept a PDF of your Articles of Organization or Incorporation uploaded through their website. Others want the original document or a certified copy, which means you have to mail it in or bring it to a branch. A few banks will accept a notarized copy, which you can get from a notary public (usually at a UPS store, bank, or online notary service) and email or upload.
Partnerships are the slowest because banks want to know who all the partners are and see a signed partnership agreement. Some banks will not open a partnership account online at all and require at least one partner to visit a branch in person.
If your bank rejects your documents online, ask why. Sometimes it is a formatting issue — they need a certified copy instead of a regular copy, or they need the document notarized. Once you know what they need, you can usually get it and resubmit without starting over.
What to expect after your account opens
Your account is usually active when ready after approval, but with limits. You can log in, see your account number and routing number, and set up transfers. You cannot deposit checks or receive ACH transfers (automatic payments from customers) until the bank verifies your identity in person or by video, which happens during the process process at most banks.
Your debit card arrives in the mail within five to ten business days. Some banks send it automatically; others let you order it from your online dashboard. Until it arrives, you can transfer money out of your account to pay bills, but you cannot spend it directly.
If you need to deposit cash or checks right away and your bank has no branches, you have options. Some banks partner with ATM networks or other banks' branches where you can deposit. Others let you deposit checks by photographing them through their mobile app. Ask your bank what your options are before you open the account if this matters to you.
When you might need to visit a branch or use a notary
If your bank requires notarization of your formation documents, you do not have to visit the bank. A notary public can verify your signature on a document, and you can find one at most UPS stores, banks, or libraries. Some notaries work online now and can notarize documents through a video call. The cost is usually five to fifteen dollars per document.
If your bank requires an in-person visit, you have two choices: visit a branch near you, or switch to a bank that does not require it. Some banks only require a branch visit if you want to deposit cash or if something in your process raises questions. Ask the bank directly whether a visit is required before you submit your process.
A few banks require you to sign papers in front of a notary before they will open your account. This is rare among online banks but common at some traditional banks. If this is a dealbreaker for you, choose an online-only bank or call ahead to confirm the bank's process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an EIN to open a business bank account online?
Not if you are a sole proprietor — you can use your Social Security number instead. If you have an LLC, corporation, or partnership, you need an EIN. You can get one free from the IRS website in minutes, and most banks let you explore with a pending EIN and update it later once you receive the official number.
Can I open an account if I do not have formation documents yet?
If you are a sole proprietor, yes — you do not need formation documents at all. If you have an LLC or corporation, you need to file your formation documents with your state first. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your state. Some banks will let you explore with a receipt showing you filed, then provide the official documents later.
What if the bank rejects my documents during the online process?
The bank will tell you why — usually because the document is blurry, expired, or in the wrong format. Fix the issue and resubmit. If they want a notarized copy or certified copy instead of what you uploaded, you can get that from a notary or your state's Secretary of State office and try again.
How long does video verification take?
Usually five to ten minutes. The person on the call confirms your ID matches your face, asks a few questions about your business, and you are done. Some banks schedule this as a separate appointment; others do it when ready after you submit your process.
Can I use my personal bank account for my business instead of opening a business account?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Mixing personal and business money makes taxes harder, gives you less legal protection if your business is sued, and can raise red flags with the IRS. A business account costs little or nothing and keeps things separate and clear.