What banks ask for before opening a business account
Banks require three categories of information before they will open a business account: proof that your business exists as a legal entity, proof of your identity, and details about who controls the account. The exact documents vary by bank and by the type of business structure you have, but every bank will ask for at least one document from each category.
Most banks will not let you open an account online without visiting a branch in person or uploading documents through their portal. Some require a phone call first to confirm you meet their basic requirements. The process usually takes one to three business days once you have submitted everything, though some banks take longer if they need to verify information with your state.
Key Takeaways
- You will need proof your business is registered with your state — a Certificate of Formation, Articles of Incorporation, or an EIN letter from the IRS, depending on your business structure.
- Banks require a government-issued ID from the person opening the account, plus documentation showing who owns and controls the business.
- Sole proprietors can often open an account with just a Social Security number and a driver's license, but some banks ask for a DBA filing or EIN letter.
- LLCs and corporations must provide formation documents and typically require the owner or authorized representative to appear in person or verify their identity online.
- Bring more documents than you think you need — banks often ask for backup proof of address or ownership if your primary documents are unclear.
Documents by business structure
Sole proprietors have the fewest requirements. You will need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your Social Security number. If you are operating under a name other than your legal name, bring a copy of your DBA (Doing Business As) filing from your county or state. If you have an EIN from the IRS, bring the letter the IRS sent you — it is called a Notice of Action or EIN Assignment Letter. Some banks ask for this even if you do not have one yet.
Partnerships require a Certificate of Partnership or Partnership Agreement filed with your state, plus government-issued ID and Social Security numbers for all partners. The bank will ask which partner is authorized to sign checks and make withdrawals. Bring documentation showing who those people are — usually a copy of the partnership agreement with signatures, or a letter from the partnership naming authorized signers.
LLCs need the Certificate of Formation (also called Articles of Organization) filed with your state, plus an EIN Assignment Letter from the IRS if you have one. Bring government-issued ID for the person opening the account — usually the owner or a designated manager. Some banks ask for an Operating Agreement showing the ownership structure, even if it is not filed with the state. If you do not have one, the bank may ask you to sign a statement confirming who owns the LLC.
Corporations require Articles of Incorporation filed with your state, an EIN Assignment Letter, and a Corporate Resolution or board minutes authorizing the account opening. Bring government-issued ID for the person opening the account. The bank will want to see proof of who is authorized to sign — this is usually in the corporate bylaws or a board resolution. If you do not have formal bylaws, some banks will accept a letter from the board naming authorized signers.
Proof of identity and address
The person opening the account must bring a government-issued photo ID. This can be a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The bank will scan or photocopy it. Some banks also ask for a second form of ID — a credit card, utility bill, or insurance card — to confirm the information matches.
Banks verify your address using the ID you bring, but if your ID is old or shows a different address, they may ask for a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail with your current address. This document should be dated within the last 60 to 90 days. A bank statement from another account usually works, but some banks do not accept it.
If you are opening the account remotely, the bank will ask you to upload photos of your ID and address proof through their website or app. Make sure the photos are clear, show all four corners of the document, and are not blurry or cut off. Banks reject uploads regularly because the image quality is too poor to read.
Ownership and control documentation
Banks need to know who owns the business and who is allowed to make decisions about the account. For sole proprietors, this is straightforward — you own it and you control it. For other structures, the bank will ask for documentation.
For LLCs and corporations, bring a copy of your formation documents showing the registered owner or members. If the person opening the account is not the owner, bring a letter or board resolution authorizing that person to open the account on behalf of the business. Some banks ask for a list of all owners and their ownership percentages.
If the business has multiple owners, the bank will ask how many people need to sign off on withdrawals and transfers. This is called signatory authority. You can choose to require one signature, two signatures, or any combination. Bring documentation showing who those people are and confirm their names match their government-issued IDs exactly.
Tax identification numbers and IRS documentation
Most banks ask whether your business has an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. If you have one, bring the letter the IRS sent you when they issued it. This letter is called a Notice of Action, EIN Assignment Letter, or sometimes just the EIN confirmation letter. It shows your business name, the EIN, and the date it was issued.
If you do not have an EIN yet, you can still open an account using your Social Security number instead. However, some banks prefer that you have an EIN before opening a business account, especially if your business is structured as an LLC or corporation. You can get an EIN for free from the IRS website (irs.gov) in about 15 minutes. The IRS will give you the number when ready, and you can print the confirmation page to show the bank.
If you are a sole proprietor operating under your own name, you may not need an EIN at all — the bank will let you use your Social Security number. But if you are operating under a DBA or if you plan to hire employees, you will need one.
What to bring to the bank or upload online
| Document Type | Sole Proprietor | LLC | Corporation | Partnership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government-issued photo ID | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (all partners) |
| Proof of address (utility bill, lease, etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (all partners) |
| DBA filing or business registration | If operating under a different name | Certificate of Formation | Articles of Incorporation | Certificate of Partnership |
| EIN Assignment Letter | If you have one | Usually required | Usually required | Usually required |
| Operating Agreement or Bylaws | Not needed | Sometimes requested | Usually requested | Sometimes requested |
| Board Resolution or Authorization Letter | Not needed | If opener is not the owner | Usually required | If opener is not a partner |
| Social Security Number | Yes | Yes (owner) | Yes (authorized signer) | Yes (all partners) |
Common reasons banks reject applications
Banks reject account applications most often because the documents do not match. If your ID shows one name and your business formation documents show a different name, the bank will ask for clarification. Make sure the spelling of your name and business name is identical across all documents. If you have changed your name since your ID was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
Banks also reject applications when the person opening the account cannot prove they are authorized to do so. If you are opening an account for an LLC you do not own, bring a letter from the owner or a copy of the Operating Agreement showing you have authority. If the bank cannot verify this, they will ask you to have the owner open the account instead.
Address mismatches cause delays. If your ID shows an old address, bring a recent utility bill or lease to confirm your current address. Banks will not accept an address that is more than 90 days old. If you recently moved and do not have a utility bill yet, some banks will accept a lease, mortgage statement, or even a bank statement from another account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a business account without an EIN?
Yes. Sole proprietors can open an account using their Social Security number instead. LLCs and corporations can also use an SSN temporarily, but most banks prefer an EIN for these structures. You can get an EIN for free from the IRS in 15 minutes and print the confirmation page when ready.
Do I need to bring original documents or are copies okay?
Banks will accept copies of most documents, but they will want to see the original government-issued ID in person or verify it through their online upload system. For formation documents like a Certificate of Formation, a certified copy is better than a photocopy, but most banks will accept either.
What if I do not have a physical address yet?
You will need a physical address to open the account — banks cannot use a PO box. If you are working from home, use your home address. If you are renting a commercial space but have not moved in yet, use the business address and bring a lease or letter from the landlord confirming the date you take occupancy.
How long does it take to open an account after I submit documents?
Most banks process applications within one to three business days. Some take longer if they need to verify information with your state or if there are questions about your documents. A few banks offer same-day opening if you visit a branch in person and all documents are in order.
What if the person who owns the business cannot come to the bank?
Many banks now allow remote account opening through their website or app. You will need to upload clear photos of your ID and address proof, and some banks require a video call to verify your identity. Call the bank first to ask whether they offer this option and what documents they need.