If you’re a sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, or partnership, you can usually open a business checking account online with the right documents in hand. Most banks will ask for your EIN or SSN, formation documents, a government-issued ID, your business address, and ownership details before they approve the account. If you gather your documents before applying, most customers can complete a Bluevine application in under five minutes.
What you need to know
- You can usually open a business checking account online in minutes if your documents are ready.
- Most banks want your EIN or SSN, formation docs, owner ID, and business address.
- Online banks often give you lower fees, faster setup, and stronger digital tools.
- Approval can still take 1–3 business days if the bank needs more review.
- LLCs, sole props, corporations, and partnerships can all open accounts online.
Online vs. in-branch: Which is right for your business?
Online opening tends to make sense if you want a fast application, fewer fees, and digital tools that fit how you already run your business. In-branch banking still has an edge if you deposit a lot of cash, want face-to-face service, or prefer a banker who can help you in person. Bluevine Business Checking is a stronger fit for owners who want no-fee accounts, same-day deposits, and integrated accounting, while traditional banks are still a better fit for cash-heavy businesses or more complex treasury needs.
| Online opening | In-branch opening | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Often minutes to apply. | Slower, requires an appointment, paperwork, and manual review. |
| Identity verification | Usually done by uploading ID, ownership details, and business documents online. Bluevine asks for address, tax ID, owner IDs, and formation documents. | Usually verified with original documents and a banker’s review at the branch. Chase lists two forms of ID plus tax and formation documents for branch openings. |
| Who it suits | Digital-first owners, remote teams, and businesses that want to move money from a phone or laptop. | Cash-heavy businesses, owners who want local help, and businesses that prefer in-person support. |
| When in-branch wins | Not usually the first choice for cash deposits or in-person relationship banking. | Stronger for cash deposits, banker support, and businesses that want branch access. |
| What online-only banks provide | Lower fees, no minimum balances, free ACH, app-based banking, and accounting integrations. | Branch networks, teller support, and physical cash handling. |
| Cost | Often $0 monthly or close to it. | Often includes a monthly service fee (can be waivable). |
Step-by-step: how to open your account online
1. Gather your documents
Before you start, collect your EIN or SSN, formation documents, owner IDs, business address, and any ownership details the bank may ask for. Bluevine’s application asks for your business address, tax ID, personal identity details, annual revenue, and additional owner information when applicable. The IRS also lets eligible businesses get an EIN online in minutes for free.
2. Choose your account type
Match the account to how your business actually operates. If you want a lean, digital-first setup, an online business checking account may be enough. If you need branch access or regular cash deposits, compare that against in-branch options. SBA advises opening a business bank account once you are ready to accept or spend money as the business, and Bluevine notes that online business accounts are often the easier option for busy owners.
3. Start the application
Most online applications walk you through the same basics: business name, address, industry, tax ID, ownership structure, and contact information. Bluevine’s onboarding flow asks for this information directly, and Chase’s online application also begins by collecting business-type documentation and key identity details. Keep your information consistent across the application and your state registration so the review does not stall.
4. Verify your identity and business
This is where banks confirm that you really are who you say you are, and that the business is real. You may need to upload a driver’s license, formation documents, DBA paperwork, or a partnership agreement depending on your entity type. Bluevine specifically asks for ID, business registration documents, and additional owner information when needed.
5. Fund the account
Once approved, you may need to add money before the account is fully active. An incoming ACH is typically available in a Bluevine account within 1–3 business days, external ACH can take 1–5 business days, and incoming wires can be available in 1–2 business days. That means you should plan for a short funding lag even after approval.
6. Confirm opening and set up users
After funding, finish setup by ordering debit cards, adding team members, connecting accounting software, and turning on alerts. Bluevine and other online banks lean heavily on app-based money movement, permissions, and integrations, so this is the point where the account starts saving you time instead of just holding cash.
Documents you’ll need
Use this checklist before you apply:
- EIN or SSN: The IRS lets businesses apply for an EIN online, free, and usually immediately. Some banks accept an SSN for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, while multi-owner businesses usually need an EIN.
- Formation documents: Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation, partnership agreement, or DBA paperwork, depending on your structure. Bluevine and Chase both ask for business formation documents as part of the account-opening process.
- Owner ID: A government-issued ID for the owner or owners with significant control. Bluevine asks for personal ID details and, in some cases, a driver’s license.
- Business address: Most banks want a physical business location, not a P.O. box or registered-agent address. A P.O. box or registered-agent address can prevent you from opening the account.
- Ownership information: Expect to disclose names, addresses, dates of birth, SSNs, and ownership percentages for additional owners.
- Beneficial ownership information: U.S. companies and U.S. persons are now exempt from FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirement, but banks may still ask for ownership details during onboarding as part of their verification process.
What you need by account type: LLC, sole prop, corporation, partnership
- LLC: LLCs usually need formation documents, owner details, and a business address. If your LLC is single-member, some banks may accept your SSN in place of an EIN, but multi-owner LLCs usually need an EIN plus ownership information. For an LLC-specific walkthrough, click here.
- Sole proprietorship: A sole prop application is usually the lightest lift. If you don’t have a unique EIN/TIN yet, you can use your SSN, and you may need a DBA certificate if you operate under a trade name.
- Corporation (S-corp, C-corp): Corporations typically need articles of incorporation, a business address, owner identity details, and tax ID information. Chase and Bluevine both list incorporation documents and government-issued IDs as standard requirements.
- General partnership: Partnerships usually need a signed partnership agreement, partner identity details, and tax ID information. Bluevine specifically asks for a partnership agreement and additional owner information when applicable.
How long does it take to open a business checking account online?
Most Bluevine customers can open an account within five minutes. Approval can still take longer if your business needs more review—for example, if you don’t have a strong business credit history or operate in a higher-risk industry—but applications under extended review are usually resolved within 1–3 business days, after which you’ll be able to deposit funds and start earning APY.
Opening a business checking account online: FAQs
Yes, many business owners can. Bluevine, Mercury, Novo, and similar online banks let you apply, verify, and fund the account digitally. Some banks may still request extra documents or additional review, but you do not usually need to visit a branch for an online-first account.
That depends on your LLC structure. A sole proprietor or single-member LLC can use an SSN if there is no EIN/TIN yet, while multi-owner businesses usually need an EIN. If you do need one, the IRS lets eligible businesses apply online for free and often get an EIN immediately.
Common reasons include missing or mismatched identity information, incomplete formation documents, an unsupported industry, or a business address the bank cannot verify. Bluevine cannot accept P.O. boxes or registered-agent addresses, and it does not open accounts for restricted industries.
Sometimes. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs may use an SSN if they do not have an EIN or TIN yet. Multi-owner businesses usually need an EIN and additional owner details.
It depends on the bank. Many U.S.-focused online banks require a verifiable U.S. business address and identity checks, so eligibility can be limited for non-U.S. residents. Bluevine, for example, requires a physical business location and rejects P.O. boxes and registered-agent addresses.
Often nothing. Bluevine, Mercury, Novo, and Chase Business Complete Banking all advertise no minimum deposit required to open the account, though new Chase customers still need to add funds within 60 days. Some banks still ask for a small opening deposit, so it is worth checking before you apply.
Approval is only part of the process. You will usually know the account is ready when the bank confirms approval, your first transfer clears, and you can log in, add users, and make payments. ACH can take 1–5 business days from an external account and incoming wires can be available in 1–2 business days.
