Business Bank Account Requirements: What You Need
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
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Start Now →What banks generally ask for
| Business | Usually asked for |
|---|---|
| LLC | EIN letter, approved articles of organization, operating agreement, ID for each signer |
| Corporation | EIN letter, approved articles of incorporation, a corporate resolution or bylaws, ID for each signer |
| Partnership | EIN letter, partnership agreement, ID for each partner signing |
| Sole proprietor | ID, plus an SSN or EIN, and a DBA certificate if you use a trade name |
| Nonprofit | EIN letter, articles of incorporation, bylaws, a board resolution, ID for each signer |
Expect to give your business address and to say what the business does. Many banks also ask for an opening deposit.
The order to do it in
- Get the state approval. The account name should match the state record.
- Get your EIN, in that exact name. See how to apply for an EIN.
- Gather the documents above and ask the bank whether anything else applies to you.
- Open the account and keep business money in it, separate from your own.
What holds up an application
The usual problem is a name that does not match across documents, so check the EIN letter against the state approval. If you have lost the IRS letter, ask for a 147C letter. If the bank says the new number does not work yet, see new EIN not active yet.
Quick answers
Can I open a business bank account without an EIN?
A sole proprietor often can, using an SSN. An LLC or corporation will usually be asked for an EIN.
Do I need an operating agreement to open an account?
Many banks ask for one from an LLC, especially with more than one member. Ask your bank, since this varies.
Can I open a business bank account online?
Many banks offer it, but some business types or signers may have to visit a branch.
Which document proves my EIN?
The CP 575 letter from the IRS. If you lost it, a 147C letter from the IRS generally serves the same purpose.
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Related guides
- Do You Need an EIN to Open a Business Bank Account? For an LLC, corporation, partnership, estate or trust, the bank will ask for one. For a sole proprietor it depends on the bank. What each account type needs, and what else to bring.
- How to Apply for an EIN What to check before you apply for an EIN, where to send it, and what happens after you submit.
- How to Get an EIN for an LLC, by Situation What to do for your LLC's EIN when it is brand new, has one owner, has several, or already has a number.
- EIN Confirmation Letter: CP 575 vs 147C vs the Digital CP 575 Three IRS documents prove an EIN, and which one you can get depends on how you applied and how your business files. Who gets each, how it arrives, how long it takes, the 30-day rule, and what banks accept.
- Lost EIN? How to Get an IRS 147C Verification Letter The 147C is the letter the IRS sends to confirm an existing EIN when the CP 575 is gone. Who may ask, the exact call, fax or mail delivery, and the five places your EIN is already written down.
You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.