What Documents Do You Need to Open a U.S. Business Bank Account? (Non-Resident Checklist)

Short answer (as of November 2026)

To open a U.S. business bank account for your LLC as a non-resident, you'll typically need five things:

1. EIN confirmation from the IRS: the CP 575 letter or a 147C letter

2. Formation document from the state: Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation

3. Operating Agreement: required by some providers, mainly for multi-member LLCs

4. Passport for every owner with 25% or more, plus the person who controls the company

5. Business details: a clear description of what you do, and often a website or proof of U.S. business activity

You don't need an SSN for a business account at platforms that accept non-U.S. owners. Requirements differ by provider and change often, so check the list right before you apply.

Most declined applications don't fail because of a missing SSN. They fail because a document is missing, doesn't match the others, or isn't the version the bank accepts. This checklist covers what documents are needed to open a business bank account for a U.S. LLC owned by a non-resident: what each one proves, where to get it, and the mistakes that slow approvals down.

The Checklist at a Glance

EIN Confirmation: CP 575 or 147C

Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. Banks don't just want the number; they want the IRS document that confirms it.

• CP 575: The letter the IRS issues when it assigns your EIN.
• 147C: An EIN verification letter you request from the IRS later, for example if you lost the CP 575.
• IRS-returned SS-4: Some providers accept it. Mercury, for example, accepts it only as the version returned by the IRS, not the application you sent.

Lost your EIN letter? Request a 147C letter from the IRS by calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line. International callers can use 267-941-1099. The IRS can send the letter by fax or mail. See our guide to the 147C EIN verification letter for the full process.

Formation Documents: Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation

This is the document the state issued when your LLC was created. Its name depends on the state:

• Articles of Organization: Wyoming, Florida and many others
• Certificate of Formation: Delaware, Texas and others
• Articles or Certificate of Incorporation: if you formed a corporation instead of an LLC

What banks check: the exact legal name, the state, the formation date and whether the company is active. If your LLC name is "Bluequay Studio LLC", don't write "Bluequay Studio" or "Bluequay LLC" in the application.

If the company has been around a while, some providers may also ask for a recent Certificate of Good Standing to confirm it's still active with the state.

Operating Agreement: Why Banks Ask for It Even for Single-Member LLCs

An Operating Agreement is the internal document that says who owns the LLC, how decisions are made and who can act for the company.

• Multi-member LLCs: Usually required. Relay, for example, asks for a signed Operating Agreement only if the LLC has more than one member.
• Single-member LLCs: Not always asked for, but traditional banks and some reviewers may request it to confirm that you alone control the company.

Even if your provider doesn't ask for one, having it ready avoids delays and helps if you later add a partner or need to prove authority. Read why single-member LLCs need an operating agreement.

Consistency matters: The ownership percentages in your Operating Agreement must match what you enter in the application and what you report elsewhere, such as Form 5472.

Owner ID and Proof of Address for Non-Residents

Who needs to verify

Most providers verify:

• Every person who owns 25% or more of the company, directly or indirectly (the beneficial owners)
• At least one person with control (for example, the managing member or CEO)

If you own 100% of a single-member LLC, that's just you. If you have three partners with 30% each, all three verify.

Which ID

For non-U.S. owners, the standard document is a valid passport. Mercury and Relay both specify a passport for international applicants. It should be unexpired, with all four corners visible and the photo clear.

Proof of address

Address requirements are where non-residents most often get stuck:

• Your home address: Use your real residential address abroad. Some providers may ask for proof, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement.
• The business address: Many providers require a physical address and reject P.O. boxes, mail forwarding services and virtual offices. The table below shows each provider's rule.
• Registered agent address: It's your company's official address for legal mail, but it usually doesn't count as proof of where you operate.

For what counts as a physical address and how to get a utility bill in your company's name, see our guide to physical addresses and utility bills for U.S. businesses.

Proof of Business Activity: Website, Description and Invoices

Banks need to understand what your business does and where the money comes from. Prepare:

• A specific business description: what you sell, to whom and how customers pay you. For example: "We build Shopify stores for U.S. and EU e-commerce brands; clients pay monthly retainers by bank transfer."
• A website or store link that matches your description and company name
• Expected activity: rough monthly incoming volume, main countries you deal with, source of the initial funds

Proof of U.S. business activity. Some providers ask non-U.S.-based companies to show a real connection to the U.S. As of November 2026, Mercury lists documents like these, which must match activity in your account:

• Invoices or contracts with U.S. customers, partners or suppliers
• Evidence of a sale to a U.S. customer
• A signed SAFE or investment agreement
• U.S. employee or payroll records
• A signed U.S. office or coworking lease, or a utility bill from the last 90 days
• Your most recent federal tax return

Relay, for its part, accepts U.S. businesses with non-U.S. owners if the business has an operating presence in the U.S.

Extra Documents for Multi-Member LLCs and Corporations

Example: Ana in Lisbon and Omar in Dubai each own 50% of a Delaware LLC. Both upload their passports, both complete identity verification, and the bank asks for the signed Operating Agreement showing the 50/50 split.

Online Platforms vs. Traditional Banks: Who Asks for What

Based on each provider's help pages as of November 2026. Wise is a money transfer service, not a bank. Requirements change; check before applying.

For which providers accept non-U.S. owners without an SSN, see Can You Open a U.S. Business Bank Account Without an SSN? For the application steps themselves, see our guide to opening a U.S. business bank account as a non-resident.

Document Mistakes That Get Applications Declined

1. Name mismatches. "Bluequay Studio LLC" on the state filing, "Bluequay Studio" on the application, "Bluequay LLC" on the website.
2. The wrong EIN document. Uploading your own SS-4 instead of the CP 575, 147C or IRS-returned version.
3. Registered agent address used as your business address. It's for legal mail, not proof of operations.
4. Missing owners. A partner with 25% or more who wasn't added or didn't finish verification.
5. Ownership numbers that don't add up. Operating Agreement says 60/40, application says 50/50.
6. Vague business description. One-word answers like "consulting", no website, no explanation of customers or money flow.
7. Poor scans. Cropped passports, glare, expired documents.

Before you click submit: lay all documents side by side and check the company name, address, owners and percentages line by line.

How Clemta Helps

• Company formation and EIN application without an SSN, so your formation document and CP 575 are consistent from day one
• Operating Agreement (or corporate bylaws) included in formation packages
• Bank account application support with partner banks and financial platforms

The final decision is always the provider's, but a complete and consistent application makes a real difference. See our U.S. bank account service.

FAQ

What documents are required for a business bank account for a single-member LLC?

The same core set: EIN letter, formation document and your passport. Some providers don't require an Operating Agreement for a single-member LLC, but having one ready helps.

Can I open a limited liability company bank account without an SSN?

Yes, at providers that accept non-U.S. owners. They verify you with your passport instead.

Can I apply before I get my EIN?

Generally no. Providers ask for your EIN confirmation as part of the application.

This content is for general information only. Bank and platform requirements change; check directly with the provider before applying. Account approval is always the provider's decision.