The Documents and Information You'll Need Before You Walk In

To open a business bank account, you need to bring proof of who you are, proof of what your business is, and proof that you have the legal right to represent it. The exact documents depend on whether your business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, S-corp, or C-corp — each structure requires different paperwork. Most banks will ask for these items before you sit down with an account officer, so gathering them first saves a trip back home.

You will always need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) in your personal name. You will also need a federal Employer Identification Number, or EIN, which the IRS issues to identify your business for tax purposes. If your business is a sole proprietorship and you operate under your own name, you may be able to use your Social Security number instead, but most banks prefer an EIN. You can get an EIN free from the IRS website in minutes — it is issued immediately when you apply online.

Beyond that, what you bring depends on your business structure. A sole proprietor needs a business license from the city or county where they operate. A partnership needs the partnership agreement signed by all partners, plus a business license. An LLC needs the Articles of Organization filed with your state, plus a business license. A corporation needs the Articles of Incorporation filed with your state, plus corporate bylaws and a board resolution authorizing the account. Some banks will accept a certified copy from your state's Secretary of State office; others will accept the originals you received when you filed.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a government photo ID in your personal name, an EIN from the IRS, and proof of your business structure (Articles of Organization for an LLC, Articles of Incorporation for a corporation, or a business license for a sole proprietorship).
  • The IRS issues an EIN free and immediately online, so you can obtain one before visiting the bank.
  • If you are opening the account as a representative of the business rather than the owner, bring a document showing you have authority to do so — usually a board resolution, partnership agreement, or operating agreement.
  • Bring your most recent business tax return or, if you are brand new, a business plan or lease showing your business address and what you do.
  • Call the bank before you go and ask what documents they specifically require, because some banks ask for additional items like proof of address or a voided check.

What Counts as Proof of Your Business Structure

Banks need to see that your business legally exists and that you have the authority to open an account on its behalf. For a sole proprietorship, a business license from your city or county is usually enough — this shows the business name, your name as the owner, and the business address. If you operate under your own name with no separate business name, some banks will accept just your EIN letter from the IRS.

For an LLC, bring the Articles of Organization that you filed with your state's Secretary of State office. This is the document that officially created the LLC. Some banks will accept a certified copy from the state; others will accept the original. If you do not have a certified copy yet, you can order one from your state's Secretary of State website, usually for a small fee and a short wait. For a corporation, bring the Articles of Incorporation and a copy of your corporate bylaws. You may also need a board resolution — a document signed by the board authorizing someone to open the account. Ask the bank whether they require this before you go.

For a partnership, bring the partnership agreement signed by all partners. This shows how the partnership is structured and who has authority to act on its behalf. If the partnership is registered with your state (some states require this, others do not), bring that registration document as well.

Personal Identification and Authority Documents

The person opening the account must bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The bank will verify this matches the name on the business documents. If you are opening the account as the owner, this is straightforward. If you are opening it as an employee or representative of the owner, you need to show you have the authority to do so.

For an LLC, the operating agreement usually names who can open accounts. For a corporation, a board resolution signed by the board authorizes specific people to open accounts and sign checks. For a partnership, the partnership agreement states who can act on behalf of the partnership. Bring whichever document shows your authority. If the document is long and your authority is buried in it, highlight the relevant section or bring a cover letter from the owner explaining your role.

Some banks will also ask for a second form of ID or proof of your address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement in your name. This is less common for business accounts than personal accounts, but it happens. Call ahead and ask what the bank requires.

Tax and Financial Information the Bank Will Ask For

Most banks will ask about your business's income and what it does. If your business has been operating for at least a year, bring your most recent business tax return — the form you filed with the IRS (usually a Schedule C if you are a sole proprietor, a Form 1065 if you are a partnership, or a Form 1120 if you are a corporation). This shows the bank your business is real and generating income.

If your business is brand new and you have not filed a tax return yet, bring something that shows what the business does and where it operates. A business plan, a lease for your business location, a contract with a customer, or a professional license all work. The bank is checking that you are not opening the account for something illegal or fraudulent. Proof that you have invested time and money into the business is usually enough.

The bank may also ask how much money you expect to deposit each month and what the account will be used for. Be honest and specific — "payroll and vendor payments" or "customer deposits and operating expenses" tells the bank more than "general business use." This helps the bank choose the right account type for you and flag any unusual activity later.

What to Bring If You Are Opening the Account by Mail or Online

Some banks allow you to open a business account without visiting a branch. If the bank offers this, you will usually upload photos of your documents instead of bringing originals. The documents you need are the same — ID, EIN letter, business structure documents — but you will photograph them or scan them.

Banks that accept remote account opening usually ask you to photograph both sides of your ID and both sides of any business documents. Make sure the photos are clear, well-lit, and show all the text. Some banks will also ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or by video call. This process usually takes a few days to a week, because the bank's compliance team reviews the documents before the account is activated.

If you are mailing documents, send copies, not originals — originals can get lost. Use certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Include a cover letter with your name, the business name, the EIN, and a phone number where the bank can reach you. Keep copies of everything you send.

Why Banks Ask for These Documents

Banks are required by federal law to verify the identity of anyone opening an account and to confirm that the business is real and legitimate. This is called Know Your Customer, or KYC, compliance. The bank needs to make sure you are not opening the account to launder money, commit fraud, or evade taxes. It is not personal — every business account opening goes through the same process.

The bank also needs to confirm that you have the legal authority to open the account. If you are not the owner, the bank needs to see that the owner authorized you to do this. This protects both you and the bank — it prevents someone from opening an account and draining the business's money without permission.

Finally, the bank uses this information to set up the account correctly. If you are a sole proprietor, the account is in your personal name with the business name as a DBA (doing business as). If you are an LLC or corporation, the account is in the business's name. The bank needs the right documents to set this up correctly for tax and liability purposes.

Common Mistakes That Slow Down the Process

The most common mistake is not having an EIN before you go to the bank. You can get one online in minutes, so there is no reason to wait. The second mistake is bringing a photocopy of your business structure documents instead of an original or certified copy. Some banks will not accept photocopies because they cannot verify they are real. Call the bank and ask whether they need originals or certified copies.

The third mistake is not bringing proof that you have authority to open the account. If you are not the owner, bring a document signed by the owner or board authorizing you. A verbal explanation is not enough. The fourth mistake is bringing outdated documents — if your LLC's operating agreement is from five years ago and you have added new members since then, bring an updated version.

The fifth mistake is not calling the bank first to ask what they specifically require. Different banks have different rules. Some require a voided check from your business's old account, some require proof of address, some require a business plan. A five-minute phone call saves you a wasted trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a business account with just my Social Security number instead of an EIN?

If you are a sole proprietor operating under your own name with no employees, some banks will let you use your Social Security number. However, most banks prefer an EIN because it keeps your personal and business finances separate for tax purposes. An EIN is free and takes five minutes to get online from the IRS, so it is worth doing even if the bank does not require it.

What if I do not have a business license yet?

If your business is brand new and you have not gotten a business license yet, bring something else that shows what you do and where you operate — a lease, a contract with a customer, a professional license, or a business plan. The bank needs to see that the business is real, not that it has every license. You can get the business license after you open the account.

Do I need to bring a voided check?

Some banks ask for a voided check from your old business account to verify your banking history, but most do not. Call the bank and ask before you go. If they do ask and you do not have one, explain that you are opening your first business account and ask what they need instead — usually a business plan or proof of address works.

What if the person opening the account is not the owner?

Bring a document showing you have authority to open the account — a board resolution for a corporation, an operating agreement for an LLC, or a partnership agreement for a partnership. The document should be signed by the owner or board and should specifically authorize you to open accounts and manage the business's money. Your personal ID and the business documents are still required.

How long does it take to open a business account once I have all the documents?

If you open the account in person with all the right documents, it usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. The account is usually active the same day or the next business day. If you open it by mail or online, it takes a few days to a week because the bank's compliance team reviews the documents. Ask the bank for a timeline when you submit your documents.