Yes, you can open most business checking accounts completely online, but the process varies by bank and business type

Many banks now let you open a business checking account from your computer or phone without visiting a branch. The process itself takes 10 to 20 minutes, and you can submit documents digitally. However, some banks still require you to verify your identity in person or by video call, and a few require a minimum deposit before the account activates. The speed depends on whether the bank needs to contact the IRS to verify your tax ID, which can add a few business days.

The catch is that "completely online" means different things at different banks. Some let you fund the account when ready with a transfer from your personal bank. Others hold the account in pending status until they receive physical documents by mail or confirm your identity through a video call. A handful of banks—mostly smaller regional ones—still require you to come in person, though this is becoming rare.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major banks and online-only banks allow you to start the process online, but verification methods vary from when ready digital checks to video calls to mailed documents.
  • You will need your Social Security number or EIN, a government-issued ID, and proof of your business address, all of which you can usually upload as photos or PDFs.
  • Banks verify your tax ID with the IRS, which typically takes one to three business days and can delay account set up even if everything else is submitted online.
  • Some banks require a minimum deposit to open the account, while others let you open it with zero dollars and deposit later.
  • If you are a sole proprietor, the process is faster than if you have a formal business entity, because the bank has fewer documents to verify.

What you need to have ready before you start

Gather these items before you open the process. Banks ask for them in different orders, but you will need all of them: a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security number or Employer Identification Number (EIN), your business name exactly as it appears on your tax documents, and your business address. If your business is registered with your state, have your business registration number or certificate handy—banks ask for this to verify you are a real entity.

You will also need a personal bank account to fund the business account, because most banks require an initial deposit. The amount varies: some banks have no minimum, others require $100 to $500. A few require $1,000 or more, though these are less common for online accounts. Have the routing and account number of the personal account you plan to transfer from ready to enter.

If you are not a sole proprietor—if you have formed an LLC, S-corp, or C-corp—some banks ask for additional documents. These might include your Articles of Organization, your EIN letter from the IRS, or a Certificate of Good Standing from your state. You can usually upload these as photos or PDFs, but having them scanned or photographed before you start speeds things up.

How the online verification process actually works

The process itself is straightforward: you enter your personal information, your business details, and the reason you are opening the account. The bank then runs a background check and verifies your identity. This is where the process splits into different paths depending on the bank.

Some banks use when ready digital verification. They check your ID against state records and cross-reference your Social Security number with credit bureaus. If everything matches, you get a confirmation within minutes and can start using the account the same day. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo typically use this method for sole proprietors.

Other banks require a video call with a representative. You show your ID to the camera, answer a few questions about your business, and the representative confirms your identity in real time. This usually happens within 24 hours of your process. The call takes 5 to 10 minutes. Online-only banks like Brex and Mercury often use this method.

A third group of banks mail you documents to sign and return. They send a packet with account agreements and sometimes a deposit slip. You sign, return it by mail, and the account activates once they receive it. This adds 5 to 10 business days to the process. Smaller regional banks and some credit unions use this approach.

The IRS verification step that delays most accounts

Even if you submit everything online and pass identity verification, the bank still has to confirm your tax ID with the IRS. If you provided your Social Security number, the bank verifies that you are a real person. If you provided an EIN, the bank confirms that the EIN matches your business name and that it is active with the IRS.

This verification usually takes one to three business days. During this time, your account exists but may be in "pending" status. You cannot deposit checks or make transfers until the IRS verification clears. Some banks let you see your account number and routing number when ready, so you can set up direct deposit or ACH transfers, but the money will not move until the account is fully active.

If there is a mismatch—your business name does not match the IRS records, or your EIN is not yet in the IRS system—the bank will contact you. This can add another few days. If you just received your EIN, wait at least one business day before explore, because the IRS takes time to enter new EINs into their system.

Sole proprietors versus business entities: why the timeline differs

If you are a sole proprietor using your Social Security number, the process is usually faster. The bank verifies your identity and your SSN, and that is it. Most sole proprietor accounts set up within one business day.

If you have formed an LLC, S-corp, or C-corp, the bank has more to verify. They need to confirm that your business entity exists, that the EIN matches the entity name, and sometimes that you are authorized to open the account on behalf of the business. This requires the bank to cross-reference your business registration with your state and the IRS. The process takes longer—usually three to five business days—and some banks ask for additional documents like your Articles of Organization.

A few banks will not open accounts for new business entities online at all. If your LLC or corporation is less than a few weeks old, some regional banks require you to come in person or wait until your business is registered with the state and the IRS has processed your EIN. Check with the bank before you explore if your entity is very new.

Banks that let you open accounts fully online with no in-person step

These banks complete the entire process digitally, from process to account set up, without requiring a video call or mailed documents:

  • Chase (Business Checking): process online, when ready or next-day verification for sole proprietors. Requires $100 minimum deposit.
  • Bank of America (Business Checking): Online process, when ready digital verification. No minimum deposit.
  • Wells Fargo (Business Checking): Online process, when ready verification for sole proprietors. Requires $100 minimum deposit.
  • Brex (Business Checking): Online process, video call verification (not in-person), usually within 24 hours. No minimum deposit.
  • Mercury (Business Checking): Online process, video call verification, usually within 24 hours. No minimum deposit.
  • Novo (Business Checking): Online process, when ready digital verification. No minimum deposit.
  • Lemonade (Business Checking): Online process, when ready verification. No minimum deposit.

Banks that require a video call or mailed documents are not "not online"—you still explore online—but they add a step that requires you to be available at a specific time or wait for mail. If you want zero additional steps after submitting your process, the banks listed above are your best options.

What happens if the bank cannot verify you online

If the bank cannot verify your identity or tax ID through their digital systems, they will contact you by email or phone. This usually means one of three things: your ID did not scan clearly, your name or address does not match their records, or your EIN is not yet in the IRS system.

When this happens, the bank will ask you to resubmit documents, provide additional information, or schedule a video call. You can almost always resolve this without visiting a branch. Resubmitting a clearer photo of your ID or providing a letter from the IRS confirming your EIN usually fixes the problem within a few days.

In rare cases, a bank will ask you to come in person. This typically happens if you have a complex business structure, if there are fraud flags on your account, or if the bank's system cannot match your information to any government records. If this happens, ask the bank whether you can resolve it by video call instead. Many banks will accommodate this request.

Funding the account and getting your first transactions through

Once your account is active, you can fund it by transferring money from your personal bank account. This is an ACH transfer, which usually takes one to two business days. Some banks let you make the transfer when ready after opening the account, even if it is still in pending status. The money will arrive once the account is fully verified.

You can also set up direct deposit to the account before it is fully active. Provide your employer with the account number and routing number, and the deposit will process once the account is verified. This is useful if you want to start receiving paychecks into the business account right away.

Do not write checks or set up bill pay until the account is fully active and you have confirmed the account number and routing number are correct. Some banks issue temporary account numbers that change once the account is verified, so wait for the bank's confirmation before you give out your account details to vendors or clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it actually take to open an account completely online?

The process itself takes 10 to 20 minutes. If the bank uses when ready digital verification, you can have an active account within hours. If they require a video call, add 24 hours. If they mail documents, add 5 to 10 business days. IRS verification adds one to three business days on top of that. Total time is usually one to five business days for most banks.

Do I need an EIN to open a business checking account online?

No. Sole proprietors can use their Social Security number instead. If you do not have an EIN yet, you can explore for one free from the IRS website (irs.gov) and receive it when ready. Some banks let you use your SSN temporarily and switch to an EIN later, but it is easier to have the EIN before you explore.

What if I do not have a business address yet?

Most banks accept a home address as your business address if you are running the business from home. Some banks ask you to confirm that you are authorized to use that address. If you are using a virtual office address or a mail forwarding service, call the bank first—some accept these, others do not.

Can I open an account if my business is brand new?

Yes, but the timeline depends on how new. If you just formed your LLC or corporation, wait at least one business day after filing with your state before explore, so the IRS has time to process your EIN. If you have not yet registered your business with your state, most banks will let you open an account as a sole proprietor using your SSN, then convert it to an LLC account later once you are registered.

What if the bank rejects my process?

Banks reject applications for a few reasons: fraud flags, negative banking history, or inability to verify your identity. If this happens, ask the bank why. If it is a verification issue, you can usually fix it by providing additional documents or scheduling a video call. If it is a fraud flag or banking history issue, try a different bank. Online-only banks sometimes have different underwriting standards than traditional banks.