The documents and information banks require before you open
To open a business checking account, you will need to bring or submit proof of your business identity, proof of your personal identity, and information about who owns or controls the business. The exact documents depend on what type of business structure you have — sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, or something else — and which bank you choose.
Most banks require the same core set of items: a government-issued ID (driver's license or passport), your Social Security number or EIN (Employer Identification Number), and documentation that proves your business exists and is registered. For a sole proprietorship, that might be a DBA certificate or business license. For an LLC or corporation, it will be your articles of organization or articles of incorporation filed with your state.
Some banks also ask for a business plan, recent tax returns, or proof of business address before they approve the account. Smaller or newer businesses are more likely to face these requests. It is worth calling the bank ahead of time to ask what they need — different branches of the same bank sometimes have different requirements, and some banks have streamlined their process for certain business types.
Key Takeaways
- You will need a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number or EIN, and proof that your business is registered with your state.
- Sole proprietorships typically need a DBA certificate or business license; LLCs and corporations need articles of organization or incorporation.
- Some banks request additional documents like tax returns or a business plan, especially for newer businesses.
- Calling ahead to ask what documents a specific bank branch needs can save you a trip back home for a missing form.
- The account usually opens the same day if you have everything in person, or within a few business days if you apply online.
Why banks ask for these documents
Banks need to verify your identity and confirm that your business is real and legally registered. This protects the bank from fraud and helps them comply with federal anti-money-laundering rules. The government requires banks to know who owns and controls every business account, so the bank has to collect and keep records of that information.
When you provide your Social Security number or EIN, the bank runs a background check. They are looking for signs of financial fraud, unpaid taxes, or other red flags. This is standard practice and does not mean the bank suspects you of anything — it is how all banks operate.
The business registration documents (your DBA, articles of incorporation, or LLC formation papers) prove that your business name is not just something you made up. They show the state has officially recorded your business, which means creditors and customers can find you if something goes wrong.
What to bring if you own a sole proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is a business with one owner and no separate legal structure. If you are running a business under your own name, you technically have a sole proprietorship even if you have not filed any paperwork. However, most banks will ask you to show a DBA (Doing Business As) certificate or a business license before they open an account.
A DBA certificate is a form you file with your county or state that says you are doing business under a name other than your legal name. If your legal name is Sarah Johnson and you want to call your business "Johnson Consulting," you file a DBA. The certificate costs between $10 and $100 depending on your state, and you can get it from your county clerk's office or online through your state's business portal.
If you do not have a DBA yet, some banks will still open an account for you under your personal name, but they may charge higher fees or require a larger opening deposit. It is easier to get the DBA first — it takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your state — and then open the account with that documentation in hand.
What to bring if you own an LLC or corporation
An LLC (Limited Liability Company) or corporation is a separate legal entity, which means the business itself is registered with the state as its own thing. To open a checking account, you will need the articles of organization (for an LLC) or articles of incorporation (for a corporation) that you filed when you created the business.
You will also need an EIN, which is a federal tax ID number for your business. You can get an EIN free from the IRS website (irs.gov) in about 15 minutes. Some banks will issue you an account number and let you apply for the EIN later, but most prefer to have it before you open the account.
If your LLC or corporation has multiple owners, the bank will ask for the names and Social Security numbers of all owners. Some banks also ask for a resolution or authorization document signed by the owners that says who is allowed to sign checks and make decisions on the account. This is less common with small businesses, but it is worth asking about when you call the bank.
What happens during the account opening process
If you go to the bank in person, the process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. A banker will ask you questions about your business — what you do, how long you have been operating, how much money you expect to move through the account each month. They will look at your documents, make copies, and run a background check. If everything checks out, they will open the account on the spot and give you a temporary debit card or checks.
If you open the account online, the bank will ask you to upload photos of your documents and answer the same questions through a form. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete, but the bank may take a few business days to review everything. Some banks will send you a confirmation email within 24 hours; others take up to a week.
A few banks use video verification, which means a banker calls you on a video call to confirm your identity and ask questions about your business. This is less common but becoming more frequent as banks try to speed up the online process.
Documents you may need but do not always have to bring
Some banks ask for a business plan, especially if your business is brand new or you are asking for a business line of credit along with the checking account. A business plan does not have to be long — a one-page summary of what your business does, who your customers are, and how you make money is usually enough.
Tax returns from the past two years are another common request, particularly if your business has been operating for more than a year. If you are brand new and have no tax returns yet, the bank may ask for a profit-and-loss statement or bank statements from a personal account to show that you have been handling money responsibly.
Proof of business address is sometimes required. This can be a lease, a utility bill in the business name, or a letter from your landlord. If you work from home, some banks accept a notarized statement saying you operate from your home address.
What to do if the bank rejects your application
Banks occasionally reject business account applications because of a background check issue, a mismatch between documents, or because the business structure is unclear. If this happens, ask the bank why. They are required to tell you the reason, though they may not give you all the details.
Common reasons for rejection include unpaid taxes, a fraud conviction, or a business that operates in a high-risk industry (like cannabis or money services). If the issue is a paperwork mismatch — for example, your DBA says one address but your ID says another — you can usually fix it by updating your documents and reapplying.
If one bank rejects you, try another. Different banks have different risk tolerances and different policies about which industries they will work with. A community bank or credit union may be more flexible than a large national bank, especially if your business is new or operates in a specialized field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an EIN if I am a sole proprietor?
No, you can use your Social Security number instead. However, getting an EIN is free and takes 15 minutes online, and it keeps your personal and business finances more separate. Most banks accept either one, but some prefer an EIN for sole proprietorships too.
Can I open a business account if my business is not registered yet?
Most banks will not open an account without proof of registration, but some will let you open it under your personal name temporarily while you file your DBA or LLC paperwork. Call ahead and ask — it varies by bank and by how new your business is.
How long does it take to open a business checking account?
In person, usually 20 to 30 minutes and you walk out with an account number the same day. Online, it typically takes 3 to 5 business days for the bank to review your documents and send you confirmation. Some banks are faster; a few take up to two weeks.
What if I do not have a physical business address?
If you work from home, most banks accept your home address. If you use a mail forwarding service or a virtual office, ask the bank first — some accept these, others do not. A notarized statement from you saying you operate from your home is usually enough to satisfy the bank's address requirement.
Do I need to bring my business partner if we have a partnership?
Not necessarily, but the bank will need the names and Social Security numbers of all partners. One partner can open the account on behalf of the partnership as long as you bring documentation showing who the partners are and that you have authority to open the account.