You need an EIN, your formation documents, and a visit to a bank that accepts LLCs

Opening a business bank account for an LLC requires three things: a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), your LLC's formation paperwork (usually the Articles of Organization filed with your state), and a bank willing to open an account for a business entity rather than just a sole proprietor. Most banks will open an LLC account, but the process and required documents vary slightly by institution and by state.

The timeline is usually two to four weeks from the moment you walk in or explore online, though some banks complete it in days if you already have your EIN. The main delay is waiting for the IRS to issue your EIN if you don't have one yet—that can take anywhere from a few minutes (if you explore online) to two weeks (if you explore by mail).

Key Takeaways

  • You must have an EIN before most banks will open an account, and you can get one free from the IRS in minutes by explore online at irs.gov.
  • Bring your Articles of Organization (the document your state issued when you formed the LLC), your EIN letter, and a government-issued ID to the bank.
  • Some banks require an in-person visit; others let you open the account entirely online if you upload documents and verify your identity digitally.
  • The account holder (usually the owner or manager) will need to provide a Social Security number or ITIN, even though the account itself is in the LLC's name.

Getting your EIN before you visit the bank

The IRS issues EINs free of charge. You can get one online at irs.gov by going to the EIN process page and answering questions about your LLC's structure, location, and business type. The online process takes about 15 minutes and gives you your EIN when ready on screen—you can write it down or print the confirmation page.

If you prefer to explore by phone, you can call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 1-800-829-4933 during business hours. By mail, you fill out Form SS-4 and send it to the IRS address for your region; this takes one to two weeks. For most people, the online route is fastest and simplest.

You do not need to have filed your Articles of Organization with the state before explore for an EIN, though most people do it in the opposite order—form the LLC first, then get the EIN. Either way works.

Documents to bring or upload when you open the account

Banks vary in what they ask for, but expect to provide these core items:

  • Your Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation, depending on your state). This is the document your state issued when you filed to create the LLC. If you filed online, you can read a certified copy from your state's Secretary of State website, or request one by mail.
  • Your EIN letter from the IRS. This is the confirmation you received when you applied for the EIN. If you applied online, you can print it from the IRS website or request a new copy.
  • A government-issued photo ID for the person opening the account (usually the owner or manager). A driver's license or passport works.
  • The Social Security number or ITIN of the account holder. Even though the account is in the LLC's name, the bank needs this to verify the person's identity and for tax reporting.
  • An Employer Identification Number (EIN) verification document. Some banks will accept the IRS letter; others ask you to call the IRS verification line to confirm it while you're at the bank.

A few banks also ask for a copy of your operating agreement (the internal document that outlines how the LLC is run), though this is less common. Call your bank ahead of time to ask what they need—it saves a trip back home for a missing document.

In-person versus online account opening

Most large national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) and many regional banks now offer online LLC account opening. You upload your documents, verify your identity through a video call or by answering security questions, and the account opens within a few business days. You'll receive a debit card and checks by mail.

Some smaller banks and credit unions still require an in-person visit. You bring your documents to a branch, speak with a business banker, and they process the process on the spot. This can be faster—sometimes same-day—but requires you to be physically present during business hours.

Online opening is usually faster if you have all your documents ready and your identity verification goes smoothly. In-person opening is sometimes faster if the bank can confirm your documents when ready and doesn't need to send them to a back-office team. Ask your bank which route they recommend for your situation.

What happens after you open the account

Once the account is open, you'll receive a welcome packet with your account number, routing number, and initial debit card. You can start depositing money and writing checks when ready, though some banks hold the first deposit for a day or two while they verify the account is active.

You do not need to do anything else with the IRS or your state to use the account. The bank will report the account to the IRS under your EIN for tax purposes. When you file your LLC's tax return (usually on Form 1065 or Schedule C, depending on how your LLC is taxed), you'll report the account's activity on that return.

Keep your Articles of Organization and EIN letter in a safe place. You may need them later if you change banks, explore for a business loan, or need to prove the LLC's existence to a vendor or client.

Common reasons banks decline LLC accounts

Banks occasionally ask for more information or decline to open an account. The most common reasons are: the person opening the account has a history of fraud or financial crime (banks check ChexSystems, a banking history database); the LLC's business type is considered high-risk (like cryptocurrency, gambling, or certain financial services); or the documents don't match—for example, the name on the Articles of Organization doesn't match the name on the person's ID.

If a bank declines you, ask why. If it's a document mismatch, you may be able to fix it. If it's a business-type issue, you can try a different bank—some specialize in higher-risk businesses. If it's a personal history issue, you may need to address that separately (for example, by resolving a fraud claim or waiting for negative information to age off your record).

You have the right to know why you were declined. The bank should provide this in writing if you ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open an LLC bank account before I file my Articles of Organization with the state?

No. Banks require proof that the LLC legally exists, which means your state must have issued your Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation. File with your state first, then get your EIN, then open the bank account.

Do I need a separate business address, or can I use my home address?

You can use your home address. The bank will ask for the LLC's principal business address, which can be a residential address. Some banks ask if it's a home-based business; this doesn't disqualify you, but it may trigger additional verification steps.

What if I'm the only owner—do I still need to provide a Social Security number?

Yes. Even if you're the sole owner, the bank needs your Social Security number or ITIN to verify your identity and for tax reporting. The account itself is in the LLC's name and uses the EIN, but the person opening it must provide personal identification.

Can someone other than the owner open the account on behalf of the LLC?

Yes, if they have written authorization from the owner. The person opening the account will still need to provide their own government ID and Social Security number. Bring a letter from the owner authorizing them to open the account, or ask the bank if they have a power-of-attorney form you can use.

How long does it take to get checks and a debit card?

Debit cards usually arrive within five to ten business days. Checks take longer—typically one to two weeks. If you need to write checks when ready, ask the bank if they can issue temporary checks or provide your routing and account number so you can write checks manually while you wait for the official ones.