What you need before you walk in

An LLC bank account requires two things a personal account does not: proof that your LLC exists as a legal entity, and proof of your role in it. Banks will not open an account for a business name alone. You need the actual formation documents from your state, your tax ID number from the IRS, and a government-issued ID in your name.

The specific documents vary slightly by state and by bank, but the core set is the same everywhere. Your state will have issued an Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation in some states) when you filed to create the LLC. The IRS will have sent you an EIN confirmation letter — the document that proves you have a federal tax ID. Both of these are non-negotiable. A bank will not accept a screenshot or a photocopy without the original, and some banks will not accept originals either — they want certified copies from the state.

Bring your personal government-issued ID as well. The bank needs to verify that you are who you say you are, and that you have authority to open an account on behalf of the LLC. If you are not the sole owner, bring documentation showing the ownership structure — usually a copy of the operating agreement or a list of all members and their ownership percentages.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring your Articles of Organization from your state, your EIN confirmation letter from the IRS, and your personal government-issued ID; banks will not open an account without all three.
  • Some banks require certified copies of your Articles of Organization rather than originals, so call ahead to ask what form they accept.
  • If your LLC has multiple owners, bring proof of the ownership structure — usually your operating agreement or a member list with ownership percentages.
  • The bank will ask you to sign resolutions or certificates authorizing the account, which formally state who can sign checks and make withdrawals on behalf of the LLC.
  • The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes in person, or one to three business days if you apply online.

Certified copies vs. originals: what banks actually accept

Most banks accept either an original Articles of Organization or a certified copy from your state. Some banks prefer certified copies because they carry the state's seal and are harder to forge. If you do not have a certified copy yet, you can order one from your state's Secretary of State office — the cost is usually $5 to $25 and takes one to two weeks by mail, or one to three business days if you pay for expedited processing.

Do not assume your bank will accept an original. Call the specific branch where you plan to open the account and ask what form of the Articles they need. If they want a certified copy and you only have an original, you will have wasted a trip. The same applies to your EIN confirmation letter — some banks want the original IRS letter, others accept a copy. Ask before you go.

If you cannot find your original documents, you can request replacements. Your state's Secretary of State office can issue a certified copy of your Articles of Organization. The IRS can reissue your EIN confirmation letter if you call 1-800-829-4933 and request it, though this can take several weeks. In the meantime, some banks will let you open an account with a copy of your state filing receipt or a printout from your state's business database, but this is not standard — call first.

What the bank will ask you to sign

Once you have handed over your documents, the bank will ask you to sign several forms. The most important is the Certificate of Authority or Board Resolution — a document that states who is authorized to sign checks, make withdrawals, and conduct business on the account. For a single-member LLC, this is straightforward: you sign it, and you are the only authorized person. For a multi-member LLC, the bank needs to know which members can act alone and which decisions require more than one signature.

You will also sign the account agreement, which outlines the bank's fees, overdraft policies, and what happens if the account is inactive. Read this before you sign. Some banks charge monthly fees for business accounts, some charge per transaction, and some waive fees if you maintain a minimum balance. The overdraft policy matters because it determines whether the bank will cover a check if you do not have enough money in the account — and what they will charge you if they do.

The bank may also ask you to sign a Beneficial Ownership Certification, a federal form that confirms you are not opening the account to hide money for someone else. This is standard for all business accounts opened after 2020. It takes two minutes and is not a red flag — it is a legal requirement.

Single-member vs. multi-member LLC accounts

A single-member LLC — one where you are the only owner — opens an account almost as easily as a personal account. You bring your documents, sign the forms, and you are done. The bank treats you as the sole authorized person on the account. You can deposit checks, withdraw cash, and sign contracts on behalf of the LLC without anyone else's permission.

A multi-member LLC is more complex. The bank needs to know which members can act independently and which decisions require a vote or consensus. This is usually spelled out in your operating agreement. If your operating agreement says that any member can sign checks, the bank will let any member open the account and act alone. If it says that two members must sign all checks, the bank will require two signatures on every transaction — which is cumbersome but possible.

Bring a copy of your operating agreement to the appointment. If you do not have one, bring a written list of all members, their ownership percentages, and a statement of who has authority to open and manage the account. The bank will not open the account without clarity on this point.

Online vs. in-person: which is faster

Most banks let you start an LLC account online, but the process is slower than opening a personal account because the bank has to verify your business documents. You will upload images of your Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation letter, and personal ID. The bank will review these, usually within one to three business days, and then contact you to confirm the details and sign the final forms electronically.

In-person is faster if you have all your documents ready. You walk in, hand over the originals or certified copies, sign the forms, and the account is open the same day. You can start using it immediately — the bank will give you temporary checks or a debit card on the spot, and you can set up online banking before you leave.

The trade-off is convenience. Online is faster if you live far from a branch or have a busy schedule. In-person is faster if you want the account open today. If you are in a hurry, call the bank and ask whether they can expedite the online process or whether it is worth coming in.

What happens if your LLC formation is not yet complete

If you have filed your Articles of Organization but have not yet received your EIN from the IRS, you cannot open a bank account yet. The bank needs both documents. The IRS usually issues an EIN within one business day if you apply online at irs.gov/ein, or within two weeks if you apply by mail. If you applied online, you should have received your EIN confirmation number immediately — print that page and bring it to the bank. If you applied by mail, wait for the official letter before you try to open the account.

If you have not yet filed your Articles of Organization with your state, file that first. The process takes one to five business days depending on your state and whether you pay for expedited processing. Once the state has approved your filing, you will receive a confirmation. Bring that confirmation and your EIN letter to the bank.

Do not try to open an account under a business name that is not yet officially registered. Banks will reject it, and you will have wasted time. Wait until both your state filing and your EIN are complete.

Fees and minimum balances to watch for

Business accounts cost more than personal accounts. Most banks charge a monthly fee for an LLC account, ranging from $10 to $30 per month, though some waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance — usually $1,000 to $5,000. Some banks charge per transaction instead: $0.50 to $2 per check deposited or per withdrawal. A few banks offer free business accounts if you meet certain conditions, such as direct deposit or a minimum number of monthly transactions.

Ask the bank for a fee schedule before you open the account. Compare the total cost across a few banks — the difference can be $100 to $300 per year. If you do not plan to use the account much, a bank with no monthly fee but per-transaction charges might be cheaper. If you plan to deposit checks weekly, a bank with a flat monthly fee might be better.

Overdraft fees are another cost to watch. If the bank covers a check when you do not have enough money, they will charge you an overdraft fee — usually $25 to $35 per overdraft. Some banks let you opt out of overdraft coverage, which means checks will bounce instead of being covered. This protects you from surprise fees but can damage your business relationships if a check bounces. Ask the bank what their overdraft policy is and whether you can change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my personal bank account for my LLC instead of opening a business account?

Legally, no. Mixing personal and business money in one account breaks the liability protection that an LLC provides. If someone sues your business, a court can pierce the LLC's protection and go after your personal assets if you have not kept business money separate. A business bank account is the clearest way to prove separation. It also makes taxes and bookkeeping much simpler.

What if I do not have an operating agreement yet?

You can still open the account. Bring a written statement signed by all members that says who has authority to open and manage the account. Some banks will accept this in place of a formal operating agreement. If you have multiple members, it is worth creating an operating agreement anyway — it clarifies who owns what, how decisions are made, and what happens if someone wants to leave.

Do I need a business license to open a bank account?

No. A bank account requires only your Articles of Organization and EIN. A business license is a separate requirement that depends on your industry and location — some businesses need one, others do not. Check with your city or county to see whether you need a license, but do not wait for it to open your bank account.

How long does it take to open an LLC bank account?

In person, 15 to 30 minutes if you have all your documents. Online, one to three business days for the bank to review your documents and contact you to sign the final forms. The account is usually active the same day you sign, though it can take one business day for the bank to process it.

Can someone else open the account on behalf of my LLC?

Only if they have a power of attorney document signed by you that specifically authorizes them to open a bank account. Otherwise, the bank will require you to be present with your personal ID. If you cannot be there in person, ask the bank whether they allow online account opening — that way you can sign the forms electronically from anywhere.