What Chase requires before you can open a business account

Chase requires three categories of documents to open a business bank account: proof of your business identity, proof of your personal identity, and proof of your business address. The exact documents depend on your business structure—sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, or nonprofit—but you will always need at least one government-issued ID and documentation that shows Chase your business is real and registered.

You can start the process online, by phone, or in a Chase branch. Online applications move faster if your documents are ready, but you may still need to visit a branch to verify your identity in person or to sign final paperwork. Chase does not charge a monthly fee for most business checking accounts, but some account types have minimum balance requirements that vary by account tier.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security Number or EIN, and proof your business is registered with your state or local government.
  • Sole proprietors can open an account using their personal SSN and a DBA (Doing Business As) filing or business license; LLCs and corporations need an EIN from the IRS.
  • Chase may require you to visit a branch in person to verify your identity, even if you start the application online.
  • The entire process typically takes one to three business days once all documents are submitted and verified.

Documents you need by business structure

Sole proprietors can open an account using their personal Social Security Number (SSN) if they operate under their own name. If you use a business name different from your legal name, you will need a DBA (Doing Business As) certificate filed with your county or state, or a business license issued by your city or county. Chase will ask for the document that shows your business name is registered.

Partnerships need an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, even if the partnership has no employees. You will also need the partnership agreement or articles of partnership, and government-issued ID for at least one partner. Some Chase branches ask for ID from all partners; call ahead to confirm what your local branch requires.

LLCs and corporations must have an EIN, which you can obtain free from the IRS website (irs.gov) or by phone at 1-800-829-4933. You will also need your Articles of Organization (for LLCs) or Articles of Incorporation (for corporations), filed with your state's Secretary of State office. Chase will ask for a copy of the filed document, not a draft. Bring government-issued ID for the person opening the account.

Nonprofits need an EIN and proof of 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, or a letter from the IRS showing your application is pending. You will also need your Articles of Incorporation filed with your state. The person opening the account must have government-issued ID and a role in the organization (board member, executive director, treasurer).

Personal identification Chase will ask for

Bring a government-issued photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Chase will not accept expired IDs, even if the expiration date is recent. If your ID does not match the name on your business documents (for example, you recently married and changed your name), bring both your old and new ID, or a marriage certificate or court order showing the name change.

You will also need your Social Security Number (SSN) or, if you are not a U.S. citizen, your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Chase uses this to run a background check and to report account activity to the IRS. If you are opening the account on behalf of someone else—as a business manager or accountant—Chase will still need the SSN or ITIN of the business owner or authorized signer, not yours.

Proof of business address and registration

Chase requires proof that your business address is real and that you have the right to use it. If your business operates from a physical location you own or lease, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement showing the business address and dated within the last 60 days. If you work from home, a utility bill or property tax statement with your home address will work.

You also need to show that your business is registered with your state or local government. This means different things depending on your structure. A sole proprietor needs a DBA filing or business license. An LLC needs the Articles of Organization filed with the state. A corporation needs the Articles of Incorporation. A nonprofit needs the Articles of Incorporation plus the 501(c)(3) information letter from the IRS. Chase will ask for a copy of the filed document itself, not a letter from your accountant saying you have one.

What happens during the verification process

If you apply online, Chase will review your documents and may contact you by phone or email within one business day to ask follow-up questions or to request additional paperwork. Common reasons Chase asks for more information: the business address does not match the registration documents, the person opening the account is not listed as an owner or authorized signer in the business registration, or the documents are unclear or partially cut off in the scan.

Chase may also require you to visit a branch in person to verify your identity. This is not optional—if Chase asks you to come in, you must do so before the account opens. Bring all original documents (not just copies) and your government-issued ID. The branch will make copies and verify that the documents match what you submitted online. This visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Once Chase has verified everything, the account opens within one to three business days. You will receive a confirmation email with your account number, routing number, and instructions for setting up online banking. Debit cards and checks typically arrive by mail within five to seven business days.

What Chase will not accept or will delay your account

Chase will not open an account if your business registration documents are not filed with the government. A draft or unsigned copy does not count. If you have not yet filed your LLC or corporation, you must do that first—it takes one to five business days depending on your state, and some states offer expedited filing for an extra fee.

Chase may also delay or deny your account if there are red flags in the background check: a history of fraud, unpaid judgments, or sanctions from financial regulators. If this happens, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason. You have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report by contacting the credit bureau directly (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion).

Accounts may also be delayed if the person opening the account has been flagged by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or appears on government sanctions lists. This is rare and usually resolves quickly once you provide additional information proving your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a Chase business account online without visiting a branch?

You can start the application online, but Chase often requires you to visit a branch in person to verify your identity before the account opens. Some applicants complete the entire process online, but this depends on your location and the documents you submit. Call your local Chase branch before you apply to ask whether in-person verification is required.

What if I do not have an EIN yet for my LLC?

You can obtain an EIN free from the IRS before you open your bank account. Apply online at irs.gov (instant approval) or by phone at 1-800-829-4933 (takes about 15 minutes). You do not need a bank account to get an EIN. Some Chase branches will open an account using your SSN temporarily and switch to your EIN once it arrives, but call ahead to confirm your branch does this.

Do I need to bring original documents or can I submit copies?

You can submit copies or scans when you apply online. If Chase asks you to visit a branch, bring the original documents so the branch can verify they match the copies you submitted. Chase will make its own copies and return your originals to you.

How long does it take to open a Chase business account?

If all your documents are ready and correct, the account opens within one to three business days of submission. If Chase asks for additional information or requires an in-person visit, add two to five business days. Debit cards and checks arrive by mail within five to seven business days after the account opens.

What if my business address is a UPS store or mailbox?

Chase generally does not accept a mailbox as a business address. You need a physical location—your home, a leased office, or a coworking space. If you use a virtual office service that provides a real address, bring the service agreement showing you have the right to use that address. Call your local Chase branch to confirm they will accept it before you apply.