Requirements and documents for a United States business account

Snapshot

To open a United States business account you generally need a registered United States company, an Employer Identification Number, the company formation documents, and identity details for the owners and anyone with significant control. Providers also collect beneficial ownership information as part of their customer checks. The exact list depends on the entity type and the provider.

Can a non resident open: Often yes with a United States company and EIN, through providers that accept non resident owners. Verify with the provider.
Typical timeline: Often a few business days once documents are ready. Verify with the provider.
Free account available: Yes, several accounts have a no monthly fee option as of 5 March 2026.
Most providers: Multiple business accounts

Fees and features as of 5 March 2026Last reviewed 5 March 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

To open a United States business account you usually need a registered United States company, an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service, and the company formation documents, such as articles of organization for an LLC or articles of incorporation for a corporation. Providers also verify the identity of the owners and anyone with significant control and collect beneficial ownership information as part of their checks. As of 5 March 2026, a sole proprietor may sometimes open with a Social Security number, while most entities use an Employer Identification Number. Confirm the exact document list with the provider.

What you need to open a business account in the United States

Account requirements in the United States center on proving who the business is and who controls it. A provider needs to identify the legal entity, confirm its tax identifier, and verify the people behind it. As of 5 March 2026 the core items are a registered company, an Employer Identification Number, the formation documents, and identity for the owners. The detail then varies by entity type, by state, and by provider.

Company, tax identifier, and formation documents

Most businesses need an Employer Identification Number, the federal tax identifier issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The formation documents prove the company exists, for example articles of organization and an operating agreement for an LLC, or articles of incorporation and bylaws for a corporation. A sole proprietor without employees can sometimes open using a Social Security number instead of an Employer Identification Number, though many still obtain one. Verify what your entity type requires with the provider.

Owner identity and beneficial ownership

Providers verify the identity of the owners and the person opening the account, usually with a government issued photo identity document and personal details. They also collect beneficial ownership information, meaning the individuals who own or control the company, as part of their customer due diligence. This provider level collection is separate from any government filing. As of 5 March 2026 the documents accepted and the thresholds vary, so confirm the current list with the provider.

Typical document checklist

A United States business account application commonly includes the following, as of 5 March 2026. Verify with the provider

A registered United States company with its formation documents, and an Employer Identification Number or, for some sole proprietors, a Social Security number.
Government issued photo identity for the owners and anyone with significant control, with beneficial ownership details.
A business address, a description of the business activity, and for some providers an ITIN for non resident owners.

How to prepare and apply

Register your company and gather the formation documents for your entity type.
Obtain an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service, and prepare owner identity and beneficial ownership details.
Apply with a provider, complete the customer checks, and confirm current requirements before you rely on the account.

Compare business accounts available in the United States

These providers accept business customers in the United States. Fees and eligibility shown as of 5 March 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

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Questions about requirements for a United States business account

What documents do I need to open a United States business account?

Generally a registered United States company, its formation documents, an Employer Identification Number, and government issued identity for the owners and anyone with significant control. Providers also collect beneficial ownership information. As of 5 March 2026 the exact list depends on the entity type and provider, so confirm before you apply.

Do I need an Employer Identification Number to open a business account?

Most entities do, since the Employer Identification Number is the federal tax identifier the provider uses to identify the business. A sole proprietor without employees can sometimes open with a Social Security number, though many still obtain an Employer Identification Number. Check what your entity type and provider require.

Can I open a business account without a Social Security number?

Often yes for a company, since providers can identify the business through its Employer Identification Number and the owners through other identity documents, sometimes including an ITIN. As of 5 March 2026 this is common for non resident owned companies. Confirm the accepted documents with the provider.

What is beneficial ownership information at the account stage?

It is the set of details about the individuals who own or control the company that a provider collects as part of its customer checks when you open an account. This provider level collection is part of standard due diligence and is separate from any government filing requirement. Confirm what your provider asks for.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 5 March 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

Requirements and documents in United States